Unai Emery gave a media preview of Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa Conference League matchup against HŠK Zrinjski on Wednesday after arriving in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Spaniard talked about a variety of topics, including matchday six opponents, his goal to win Group E, choosing his team for the match, his admiration for the competition, his experiences competing in Europe, and much more.
Here’s what he had to say…
On Facing HŠK Zrinjski…
“It’s the last match in the group and, of course, we want to be first in the group and it’s not available tomorrow if we’re not taking a point or winning.
“It’s not 100% clear because they (Legia) are playing for the second position and if Legia Warszawa win tomorrow then we have to take a point, minimum.
“We respect this competition and we respect Zrinjski.
“Tomorrow, our objective is trying to play, improving our team tactically, trying to give some players a real chance to play. And being first in the group.
“We played against Zrinjski at home as well, it was a very difficult moment for us. We struggled a lot and won at the last moment with the goal we scored. But they were very competitive.
“I don’t know exactly how they are going to face the match because they’re maybe thinking more in their league. But I think they’re going to be motivated because playing against us here, with their supporters, they are going to try and show their capacity and skills.
“And I respect them because tactically I think they’re a good team.”
“Firstly, we want to respect the competition and then respect Zrinjski as well.
“We also want to play competitively and try to increase, individually and collectively, our process as a team.
“And tomorrow, we are here with the players who are available to play.
“I’m going to share as well because some players can feel tired, and I will decide tomorrow morning, but my idea at the beginning is try to play being competitive.
“With, of course, players playing regularly and with another one maybe who is not playing a lot of minutes.
“But I want to try to build and try to create a strong structure in our squad with the players.
“Tomorrow is a very good opportunity for someone to try to play and get minutes, get confidence and prepare the way for this season in different competitions being very competitive, like we are doing at the moment.”
On the Europa Conference League…
“For us to be in Europe was a fantastic achievement last year.
“And to play Conference League, it’s the first time for some players they have played in Europe.
“And other players, they have played in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
“Also, I’m trying to share my experiences here in Europe with other teams – Villarreal, Sevilla, Valencia.
“To play in Europe is always something special, something we can feel comfortable being competitive.
“And we can increase our level, we can increase our prestige as well in Europe.
“Playing in Europe is always difficult, we played against Legia Warszawa in the first match and we lost, we played against Zrinjski in the second match at home and we were struggling until the last moment, winning the match in the last minute.
“And those are the experiences I had before.
“But, for me, it’s amazing to be here, it’s my first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Mostar, and it’s a new experience and a new moment I want to enjoy.
“I want to enjoy coming here, playing the match against Zrinjski and each moment in Europe for me is very, very special and I want to enjoy it.
“And I want to share with my players and try to send them my experiences as well in Europe, always being difficult trying to get a trophy.
“But our objective is, of course, trying to progress in this competition and trying to do our process as a team. And share it with the Premier League because it’s very tough, very difficult, but I want to share the same mentality in the Conference League and Premier League.
“Tomorrow is another step ahead taking the experiences I want to have with the players at Aston Villa.”
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