Skip to main content
First team
Cazorla: “I will always be grateful to Villareal”

The Blue and Whites midfielder, Santi Cazorla, spoke to the media this Thursday morning in the Ciudad de Málaga stadium press room.

Cazorla’s statements:

(Win in Santander). “We had another day to rest after the match on Monday, a longer week after winning and getting those three pints. Santander? I felt more at ease, but I also think that the team was better in every respect, above all defensively, and that’s the road we need to keep on.  There was a long journey back with the national side, but I wasn’t tired and I feel great, in Santander I thought I did OK.”

(Isco). “I have a good time with Isco. He’s a player that makes us more united in the midfield; the freedom he brings makes us relaxed. He’s a spectacular player with a great future ahead and that should put him at ease.  I hope that he continues with this confidence and that he moves up to the next level.”

(European positions). “We were coming from playing away games without getting points, and without scoring, and we wanted to change that dynamic; and in addition, to get into European positions, you have to be able to get points in away matches.  It was fundamental to win in Santander because it put us in a Champions match.  We played a very good match.”

(Villarreal).  “It’s a very special match for me for everything I have experienced with that club, but above for everything that it has given me both personally and professionally, and I’ll always be grateful to Villareal.  They’re out of the Champions now, but within the League they’re doing better, and they’re a rival who is going to fight to be in Europe, so therefore it’ll be important win against them, overcome them and leave them facing the future on nine points.  The injuries they’ve had are worth bearing in mind, and they’ve not started the season off well.  That pressure counts for a lot and they have a great squad and they’re going to come out on top.”

(Self-drive).  "I’m the first one to demand a lot from me. It’s clear that things can improve from where they are now, and that’s the pressure you out on yourself to be the best you can.  We’re in a good position, there’s a long way to go and you’ve got to be at ease and humble and you’ve got to have the desire to work hard.”

(Praise for Borja Valero).  “As you all know, Rossi being out is fundamental, in addition there’s Nilmar, and now Borja (Valero) leads the team.  I’ve played many minutes with him and he’s a very good player, it’ll be important to cover him.  In Madrigal it’ll be even more especial for me for everything I’ve experienced there and for everything that going back there means.  It’s not just any other game; it’s different, for everything it signifies, even though when the match starts I will forget all that.”
 

 (Van Nistelrooy).  “He’s a mentor to me both personally and professionally, if there’s one thing that has impressed me it’s his enthusiasm and desire to do things in the world of football, he’s like a guy of 18 years old.  For me, he’s a fundamental player out on the pitch.”