Villarreal Coach Marcelino doesn’t feel Real Sociedad were the better side in their Copa del Rey win, just the more effective one.
A first-half goal from Javier Ros was enough to put La Real through to the competition’s quarter-finals but Marcelino believes it was the Yellow Submarine who entered the better performance.
Villarreal spent most of the game on the front foot and missed a penalty that would have levelled the scores, with the Coach claiming his side should have won the game.
“Real won the tie with one shot,” Marcelino told a post-match Press conference.
“We had clear chances but no success. Losing at home makes it hurt more.
“I don’t feel that Real were the better team, just the more efficient one.”
Marcelino was also at a loss to explain how his side were unable to score in either leg of the tie, having scored 10 goals in their last two La Liga outings.
“To get through in the Cup you have to score, but we haven’t done so in 180 minutes.
“Sometimes football has no explanation. It’s circumstances.
“In the League we’ve been precise but in the Cup we couldn’t even score a penalty. This is what decides games.
“We were no worse than our opponent but we’ve still lost the game.”
Marcelino added that he had hoped for success in the Copa and felt it was a realistic ambition.
“It’s a downer. We’re annoyed because this defeat prevented us qualifying in what is a good competition.
“The draw was favourable too. We would have beaten Racing, barring a catastrophe.
“But we have a clear conscience because we’ve worked hard. The players should be commended for their effort.”
