Villarreal have continued to be one of the more entertaining teams in Spain this season.
Following a sixth place finish in 2013-14, second year coach Marcelino has targeted Champions League qualification for the Yellow Submarine, and his side are currently battling it out with Valencia and Sevilla for the coveted fourth position in Spain.
While the club is focused on European qualification, there is also the small task of preparing for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona. Villarreal will be looking to overturn their 3-1 deficit from the first leg at the Camp Nou.
But following Sunday’s entertaining 1-1 draw with league-leading Real Madrid, Villarreal have been spurred on in their quest to win a domestic trophy this season.
“I ask the fans to come to the stadium on Wednesday and support this team,” goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said after this weekend’s stalemate at the Bernabeu. “I think we deserve it.”
“This is a team that always gives their all and we will try and get through to the final. We know it’s going to be difficult but I think we’ll have chances and together we can do well.”
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Villarreal have been playing exceptionally well this season.
At one point, the Valencian club went on an eighteen-match unbeaten streak in all competitions – a run which was ended by Barcelona in an exciting 3-2 game on February 1st.
They enter this week’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg after remaining unbeaten in another four matches.
On Sunday, Marcelino rested the majority of his players in anticipation of Wednesday’s match against Barcelona. But Villarreal were still able to poise a serious threat to Real Madrid and ended up leveling the contest in the 64th minute when 22-year-old striker Gerard Moreno beat Iker Casillas from 18 yards to tie the score.
With the attacking trio of Gio dos Santos, Denis Cheryshev and Luciano Vietto rested and ready for Barcelona, Villarreal will be ready to have a “go” at La Liga’s in-form team on Wednesday.
“We are in good form,” Sergio Asenjo added. “The team is playing with great humility. We are a young team and a team that is eager to continue growing. I think that shows every day.”
