Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze and his Villarreal CF teammates have been charged by manager Unai Emery to play out of their skin and bag a good away result in tonight’s Laliga Santander matchday-3 clash with Barcelona at Camp Nou, Completesports.com reports.
Emery expects his players to brave up against Barca’s top quality team led by the talismanic forward and captain, Lionel Messi. And the coach has charged the players to respond ‘offensively and defensively, and attack with aggression and personality.’
Chukwueze’s speed and tenacity are expected to be in the Villarreal mix against Barcelona as the 21 year old has maintained his fine form from last term.
The Nigerian played 37 Laliga Santander games for Villarreal last season, netting three goals and five assists. And in across all competitions, he scored four and recorded six assists in 41 games.
Chukwueze has featured in The Yellows’ two league games so far in the new season, bagging an assist when they pipped SD Eibar 2-1 on matchday-2.
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“I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond to a great team like Barcelona. We’re excited and optimistic. I’m relaxed because the players are doing well, ” Emery said during his pre-match news conference as quoted by Villarrealcf.es .
“Their [Barcelona] starting eleven is always made up of top quality players. They have a deep and determined squad. They can beat you with one individual play or from a set piece.”
Emery tasks Villarreal players: “We have to respond offensively and defensively. To be able to go in for 50/50 challenges and come out on top. Attack with aggression and personality.”
“Every game is an opportunity. We’re aspiring to surprise at the Camp Nou as a result of good and efficient preparation. I see it as an opportunity and we must believe we can do it.”
Today, September 27, is an important day in in the history of Villarreal CF. On this fateful day 22 years ago, the club recorded their first ever win in the Spanish top flight league , thumping UD Salamanca 5-0 on matchday-4 of 1998/1999 season. And a good away result at Barcelona will make it a great anniversary for Emery’s team.
Tonight’s clash with Villarreal will be Barcelona’s first game in the 2010/21 Laliga Santander. Ronald Koeman’s team’s matchday-1 home game against Elche was rescheduled because of their Champions League final assignment, while the matchday-2 away match against Athletic Bilbao was postponed due to their preseason Joan Gamper Cup game against Elche on September 19 which the hosts (Barcelona) won 1-0 with Antoine Griezmann’s goal.
By Nnamdi Ezekute
1 Comment
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