Marcelino says Villarreal will approach their match against Almeria in La Liga on Sunday “like it’s our last.”
The Yellow Submarine have won just one of their last four games, a run which has effectively dumped them out of the race for Champions League qualification and progression into the Europa League quarter-finals.
“There’s no doubt that we can emotionally become a little concerned, but we have to try to forget the last game and the best way to do that is by winning the next,” the Coach said ahead of his side’s early kick-off.
“Whoever our opponents may be, Villarreal must play to their highest level. Otherwise our chances of winning greatly diminish.
“We evaluate our opponents by identifying how they play. We also have to look at ourselves and know that when we’re not our most competitive level, we can still play well because we normally do.
“However, we need victories. Therefore, we must address this match like it’s our last.
“[The Europa League last-16 first leg against Sevilla last Thursday] wore us down physically and mentally.
“[That coupled with a midday kick-off] must be taken into account before the [international] break, knowing we have two matches coming up.
“We’ll approach both games with the same desire to win and intensity to that of last Thursday.
“I expect a very strong [Almeria] team, who play with very quick transitions and are backed by the speed and class of their wingers.
"They start many of their attacks through [Fernando] Soriano and will demand a high competitive level from us.
“We’re going to press hard on their pitch, and if we can overcome their pressure and do it with discretion, we may pose them problems.”
