Marcelino “very happy” as Villarreal keep clean sheet in Levante win | OneFootball

Villarreal are “very happy” after bouncing back from last weekend’s defeat to Getafe with a 0-1 win against Levante, says Marcelino.

The Villarreal coach stressed the importance of winning the match and keeping a clean sheet after last weekend’s 2-1 loss, particularly when playing a relegation-threatened side such as 19th-placed Levante.

“Whenever you come from a defeat. it’s important to win the next match and we knew we were coming to a tough ground.

“The opponent had everything to play for, and winning away from home now in the final third of the competition is always very, very difficult.

“We’re very happy with the victory, satisfied because after so many matches we kept a clean sheet and I think that’s an important boost for the whole team and specifically for the back line,” he explained post-match.

But Marcelino admits that Villarreal’s performance wasn’t polished, as his side struggled in the closing moments of the match and rues missed opportunities to seal the win.

The 60-year-old said: “Well, I think I only noticed some doubt, let’s say, in the very, very final stretch of the match when the opponent played us a lot of long balls, second balls, actions where we were perhaps a little indecisive after winning the ball back, both in clearing and, well, we should have avoided dribbling.

“We had chances to seal the win and we didn’t take them, right? So, when this happens and you play away from home, in the final stretch of the match with a 0-1 lead you usually suffer.”

In spite of their recent dip in form, Marcelino maintains that he is pleased with their league position.

“After 24 matchdays, being in third place and having 48 points… well, it seems to me that we’re doing well enough. And then you have highs and lows, it’s normal to have them.

“We were under a lot of pressure in two competitions and well, it’s not easy, although in the Champions League we got much less than we expected and I think a little less than we deserved, in the league we also got much more than we expected.”

Villarreal’s 0-1 win over Levante in this rescheduled match leaves them third with 48 points from 24 games, three points ahead of Atlético Madrid but still 10 points adrift of second-placed Barcelona.