“They are two teams that are performing well at the moment. It’ll be a great match due to the attacking qualities of both sides,” says Josemi, who doesn’t forget his time in Castellón: “Villarreal is like my second home. I was there for three good years, we achieved incredible things such as second place in the League and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. In addition, we enjoyed a great time with the family and they treated us all very well.”
Having trained in the Blue and Whites’ youth ranks, Josemi says he feels “Malagueño and Malaguista”, and considers that: “This is a good time for Málaga at the moment, and it’ll be important if they can bring at least one point back from Villarreal.” Of course, Josemi recalls the Intertoto Cup final against the Yellows: “We always crossed paths during that time and we achieved the title. We were good playing there, let’s see if we can achieve victory again.”
On a personal level, the Champions League champion with Liverpool (2004/05) enjoyed an exotic experience recently in the Super League in India: In my first year we won LaLiga, and in the second we reached the semi-finals. In December I came to Málaga and I’m training here as a sports director and coach. If all goes well I’ll go back to India, I enjoyed it there and could remain active,” says 36 year-old Josemi after playing at Atlético de Kolkata.
Josemi, who knows Malaguista coach, Javi Gracia well – ex Villarreal player like him – sees the manager from Navarra as “a key part” of the Club. “It’s incredible how he saved the team in January. I never had any doubts about him, even with the poor results. I know him perfectly well and I know the level of professionalism he has,” says Josemi, before he gives his prediction for tomorrow’s match: “I think 1-1 will be a good result for Málaga at a difficult ground against a very strong rival.”
