LOPETEGUI: 'VILLARREAL ARE ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE'

Lopetegui continued to offer his thoughts on tomorrow's opponent: 'Villarreal are one of the best teams in the league: they have a top squad and an excellent manager and their performances and results are showing that. They strengthened really well this summer onto what was already a strong base. They are gunning for everything this season and it's no surprise they're on this unbeaten run. They're a good team, really complete in all aspects. It's no surprise the level they're playing at this season. They will make it very difficult for us but we're coming into the match fully motivated and focussed to beat them.'

'The only thing we have been focussed on this week is beating Villarreal CF'

Our manager added that 'our only focus this week has been Villarreal. It's too big a match to be able to think about anything else. Fernando is training well without any problems - that's really good news for us. Jesús Navas is fine and training as normal. We can't think about the upcoming window now; we can't take our focus off Villarreal.'

Lopetegui also spoke about Villarreal's manager, Unai Emery: 'Every moment in the season is vital and so too is each match. Unai made history here and has managed some of the best teams in the world - that's a testament to the level of manager he is.'

'I'm expecting a very competitive and hard-fought game'

To finish off, Julen insisted he is expecting a difficult game tomorrow: 'I think it will be a really competitive and hard-fought game against a very complete team. They have top, international players - their squad is full of quality. It will be a tough, intense, and exciting match.'