Villarreal winger Layun believes set pieces will be key in ‘physical’ Euro tie
Villarreal wide man Miguel Layun believes his team’s set piece expertise could hold the key to securing victory against what he describes as a “physical” Rangers side tomorrow.
Mexican international Layun, who joined Villarreal from Porto this summer after starring for his country at the World Cup finals in Russia, helped his new club to their first win of the season with his precise delivery for Carlos Bacca to score the only goal of their league match at Leganes on Sunday. Victory came as a relief to Villarreal after a shaky start to the campaign which saw them lose both of their opening home games against Real Sociedad and Girona.
Layun, 30, insists they will now face Rangers in their openingeuropaleaguegroup 0 Miguel Layun: Impressed for Mexico at World Cup in Russia. G fixture with renewed confidence of taking all three points in front of their own fans.
“We were smart on Sunday, we knew how to suffer in the game and take the opportunity we had to win,” said the former Watford player.
“I am very happy to have been able to help the team with my work to achieve a victory that will give us a lot of confidence. The dead ball situation has taken on a bigger role in modern football, it is more and more ordered. It is beginning to be fundamental to decide the outcome, so hopefully this type of action we can do means an extra contribution for the team and gives us great results in the long term.
“I think the game against Rangers will be similar to the one we faced against Leganes. Rangers are a very physical team and to beat them we must embrace our game idea.”
Mikel Arteta has claimed Manchester City are the best side in the world as he prepares to fill in for suspended manager Pep Guardiola in the Champions League this week.
Guardiola must serve a touchline ban during tonight’s Group F opener versus Lyon at the Etihad Stadium as a result of his sending-off in last season’s quarter-final against Liverpool. That will leave assistant coach Arteta to direct affairs from the bench and the Spaniard was given chance to warm up for managerial responsibilities as Guardiola asked him to carry out the prematch press conference.
The former Rangers and Arsenal midfielder spoke confidently, praising the squad that powered City to the Premier League title last season.
He said: “For me we have the best players in the world and I look at our players as if they are the best. I wouldn’t change my players for any others. They are absolutely fantastic, the hunger in this group is incredible.
“People talk about money to spend but people have to look inside this club, what we have created, it’s phenomenal.”
Arteta, 36, has no qualms about stepping in for Guardiola, with whom he will not be allowed contact with during the game, but admits it is not ideal to be without the inspirational head coach.
Arteta said: “Obviously he is very disappointed. We all know how much the Champions League means to him. But he had a reaction to something in a big game and they made a decision and this is the situation. We respect the decision.
“He wouldn’t choose the situation but I am here, I will try to do my best to reduce the impact of not having Pep. It is a good challenge, a very nice challenge, but if I had to choose, I would choose Pep on the touchline because he does that job better than anyone else.”