Villarreal coach Iñigo Pérez spoke to the media ahead of the match against Real Madrid, discussing the team's preparations, player recovery from injuries, tactical arrangements, and the impact of the international break. He stated that the Bernabéu is an excellent stage for the team to showcase themselves, and despite Real Madrid's strength, the players must shed their fear and bravely demonstrate their abilities.

How did you spend the international break?

Iñigo: I said it before—going into the break was good for us because it allowed us to re-evaluate ourselves, adjust our form, and assess what had happened from the start of the season through the last game.

I really enjoyed the past week because I had the opportunity to get to know the academy players, and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. Of course, as the days go by, you gradually start to miss the feeling of playing. And it's true—you can't communicate with all the players.

Many international players left for national team duty. What impact will this have?

Iñigo: You will never hear me complain about such things. I won't waste energy on arrangements that are already set. We are currently focused on how to utilize the single day we have to implement what we want to show at the Bernabéu.

What is the current injury situation?

Iñigo: Buchanan is unavailable due to a minor muscle injury. We don't yet know how long he will be out. He is very committed and will work hard to return as soon as possible. Coquelin and Foyth have been training very well for the past few weeks and are available to play.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming match against Real Madrid?

Iñigo: This is an excellent stage for us to showcase ourselves, and of course, we are aware of how extremely difficult this match will be. We know that our opponents will put immense pressure on us and will try to dominate the field. In such a match environment, you must realize that you will be attacked. But we must let go of fear. If we want to win, acknowledging the opponent's strength is necessary, but we should also bravely show what we can do.

What kind of motivation would beating Real Madrid at the Bernabéu bring?

Iñigo: Winning and proving our strength through victory is always a good thing. We will strive to achieve that. Such a match environment demands very clear and meticulous tactical arrangements; otherwise, any mistake could ultimately cost you. In the past, we have come very close to getting points in some matches. This time, our mindset remains the same.

We know the opponent's strength and the demands of the game, but it's more important to focus on ourselves and shake off the fears that outsiders talk about.

Will you rotate the squad considering the upcoming Champions League match?

Iñigo: Regarding rotation or the starting lineup, I don't know what outsiders are thinking. I know what kind of team I have and what players are at my disposal. Currently, the only match I'm considering is against Real Madrid, and we will strive for victory. We know that victory can propel the team forward, so let's first see what happens in Madrid, and then consider how to deal with Napoli.

The team has different players, different positional arrangements, and different tactical systems, all of which require the coach to make decisions. Until the very last moment, I myself don't know who will play; that's how I decide the starting lineup. Some players had opportunities to play at the beginning of the season but are not playing now. However, I believe they will certainly get their opportunities again.

Will you continue with high pressing against Real Madrid?

Iñigo: I think that once a person becomes a coach, the experiences and feelings that football brings shape his coaching philosophy and solidify his ideas. Personally, based on my beliefs and coaching experience, most teams that do not employ high pressing in this kind of match environment ultimately do not achieve ideal results. In my experience, playing aggressively and staying closer to the opponent usually leads to better game situations on their field.

What kind of Real Madrid do you expect to face?

Iñigo: I believe that teams like Real Madrid are constantly under pressure from the media and public opinion, so their performance is bound to fluctuate. These players are able to play for such a club not only because they are excellent but also because they possess the mental capacity to cope with various external distractions. Regardless of the reasons for these distractions, I don't believe they will affect Real Madrid's players.

What kind of game do you expect?

Iñigo: I envision us being able to implement high pressing, but I also know that Real Madrid will try to attack the spaces behind us. When we have possession, I hope we can control the game, while Real Madrid might wait for us to make mistakes and then exploit those errors to launch attacks and create threats. Players often repeat certain fixed patterns; their way of acting is clear because these approaches usually lead to success. Therefore, we generally know what will happen in different situations.

The key is how we set up for this match to prevent the opponent from harming us. I hope the team can capitalize on opportunities in both penalty areas.

Did the international break give you more time to reflect on previous performances?

Iñigo: I think we had some games where our overall performance was excellent, but we just couldn't convert those performances into favorable results. In addition, there were some situations that needed improvement—for example, I needed to be clearer when explaining certain requirements to the players. Overall, there's no need to change our fundamental philosophy; rather, we need to refine some details. I see that the players are comfortable with the current style of play, so I don't think radical changes are necessary.

How do you evaluate Carlos Maciá and Diatta?

Iñigo: They are both in good form and received plenty of playing time during pre-season. The reason they are with the first team is that we believe they have the same chance of getting playing time as other players. However, we also know that they are still in a developmental stage, both mentally and physically, and need to continue to grow. This is a process of them adapting to professional football.

What have you learned about the academy players during this period?

Iñigo: Depending on our needs in different positions, we called up over 11 academy players for training during this period. I had previously hoped to use the break to step back and reflect, and I knew I would have time to get to know these young players better. In addition, we communicated with the academy coaches.

Did Real Madrid's previous matches at the Metropolitano and against Dortmund provide reference points?

Iñigo: I think that from an individual ability perspective, when you face Real Madrid and study their players, you clearly know what these players will do, but it is very difficult to truly limit them. The same applies on a collective level. These matches allow you to observe Real Madrid's playing style from a tactical perspective and understand what actions they will actually take on the field. Especially when facing excellent teams, particularly in their home games, relevant tactical characteristics are often easier to identify. This is because these teams are usually more tactically fixed, and their playing style is easier to study and analyze.

What is most crucial for maintaining high pressing in the attacking third?

Iñigo: There's a very crucial emotional factor involved; the coach must truly believe in his philosophy. You must have clear tactical ideas and make the players believe that they should invest their energy in pressing forward rather than constantly retreating.

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