Alexandre Pato has issued a Champions League rallying cry to his Villarreal teammates after a “tiring” 1-1 draw with Granada in La Liga on Saturday.
Villarreal remain winless under Fran Escriba as a 2-1 defeat to Monaco in the Champions League playoffs was followed by a draw at Granada on La Liga’s opening day, but Pato is confident his side have what it takes to overturn their first-leg deficit in France and reach the group stage.
“We’re going on a mission to Monaco, and that is to go through,” the forward told Marca.
“We know it’s still possible to go through, so we must have a great game and proceed with that idea.
“It’s a difficult situation and a difficult game, but we can have a great game and achieve progression.
“We’re pumped up, thinking positively and we’ll have a great game. It’s a very special game and we know this.
“We have to be very focused, we have to be involved for the whole game and we know that.
“We need two goals, but we must also be focused on defence. [Monaco] play good football, we know this and therefore we have to be very focused for the 90 minutes.
“We need the help of everyone, we should all be close together. This is a great group, a very special group, and we have a lot of potential.
“We’re all excited about playing in the Champions League, to play in it with Villarreal is a great opportunity and we want to make it happen.
“We’re tired after two very tough games in a few days, it’s true that it’ll be complicated, but we must draw strength from wherever.”
