Villarreal manager Inigo Perez insisted on Monday that his side head into their Champions League matchday-three clash against Liverpool determined to “enjoy” the occasion and play with “bravery”.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Navarrese tactician revealed he has not spoken to Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola—a close personal friend, former teammate, and former colleague—since the draw was made. He explained that ahead of the Villarreal showdown, the pair will likely share a “shy” greeting before resuming their normal friendship once the final whistle blows.
“Andoni knows me inside out, and I know him too. Although nowadays every manager has the data to know each other thoroughly. We will try to make sure that mirror cracks on his side,” Perez noted, acknowledging that Liverpool “will create chances”. Beyond the sentiment of crossing paths with Iraola, the Villarreal boss stressed that the trip represents immense pride for his players, given the prestige of the Champions League, the stature of their opponents, and the iconic surroundings.
Perez was also keen to highlight the threat of dead-ball situations, labelling set pieces as something “cultural” in English football that “goes beyond tactics”. “A corner is celebrated here. Whenever they win one, we know it is one of their main weapons, and we must be completely switched on,” he warned, whilst firmly dismissing any notion of tactical gimmicks or abandoning his team’s core principles.
“If you alter your stride, you might end up tripping yourself up. I think there will be very few surprises between what he puts forward and what I do. The cards are on the table and I do not expect any shocks,” concluded Inigo Perez, who also backed his misfiring forwards to finally rediscover their clinical edge.
