Marcelino: It was a fantastic game; the team did very well in almost every aspect.

After Villarreal's 5-1 victory over Atletico Madrid and their third-place finish in La Liga, manager Marcelino García Toral expressed gratitude and pride. This match also marked the final chapter of his journey as Villarreal's manager.  

Marcelino García Toral said: “I am very pleased and want to thank everyone. Especially the players, they played a very high level of game. We successfully finished third in the league and defeated a direct competitor with a very convincing performance. It’s like an ideal ending, and I must thank everyone for allowing us to enjoy such a wonderful game and such a perfect ending together.”  

Speaking about the match itself, the Asturias coach particularly praised the atmosphere and the team's performance. He said, "It was a fantastic game. As the final match of the season, everything seemed perfect. We saw the stadium packed, and the fans supported the team from the very beginning. This atmosphere was ideal for us."  

"At the same time, we care more about third place in the league than Atletico Madrid, because they are used to being in that position. It is really gratifying to beat a direct competitor in this way at home."  

At the press conference, Marcelino also mentioned the club's tribute arrangement of erecting a commemorative tile for him on the "Passeig Groc". He said, "It is an honor, and I must always be grateful to the club's board of directors for this recognition. I am very touched to receive such recognition, and I am also very grateful to the president, Fernando, and everyone."  

"I have a mix of emotions: joy, nostalgia, relief, happiness, pride, gratitude, and even a feeling of being blessed. It's not an easy thing to coach a club for seven consecutive seasons and achieve success every season."  

Image source: Internet / Villarreal official website