Calleja ‘confident’ over Barca clash

Villarreal boss Javi Calleja says he is confident of his team producing a good performance when they take on Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The Yellow Submarine are chasing a Europa League place and currently lie sixth in the standings, five points ahead of Getafe – who have played one game more – and six clear of Sevilla.

“We’ve always believed in being able to achieve our goals and we are sixth on merit because we have done very well all year, despite some ups and downs, and in the remaining three games we want to get into Europe,” he told a Press conference.

“The team will go to Barca in a good vein of form, at one of the best moments of our season, and despite the difficulty of playing them at the Camp Nou we have the confidence to win, to make a good game of it and get the three points.

“I imagine a victory will see us in the top six, although there is also the possibility that it won’t. But the idea is to keep maintaining our level against the top teams in the table. The only side we haven’t been able to take at least a point off is Barcelona, but we’ve done it against the others.”

Despite Ernesto Valverde’s men having already captured the title, Calleja feels their opponents will still be motivated to win and end the season unbeaten, something never achieved before.

“It’s a historic year for them and it’s practically impossible to do what they are doing, which is not losing a league game. They are La Liga and Copa del Rey champions and it will be a difficult game, but we won’t give up.

“I expect a very motivated Barca. They have a quality squad and whoever plays will do well. We’ll have to concentrate and not give them too much of the ball; if we do that then we will suffer. We have to avoid committing any errors and take our chances,” he added.

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