Albiol: “Hopefully I can raise another glass before my career is over”

SIf there is an authorized voice in moments of crisis like the one that Villarreal lives after the last results (one point of the last 12 in the league), that is Raul Albiol . The experience that his 36 years give him and his extraordinary resume, as well as his leadership on the field of play, make him a benchmark for his teammates. Virtues that should shine this Tuesday in a crucial game for the luck of the Castellón team this season in the Champions League.

How does the team get to the Champions League game after a stick as hard as the one received at Mestalla?

Losing always leaves you a few hours touched and disappointed, but there is no time to regret. We must already think about the Champions League because it is a very important game, we play a lot as the group is. At home and in front of our fans, we cannot afford to fail against Young Boys. We need to feel the joy of winning again

It is a mistake that the Champions League motivates us more than the League, it must be the same

I need to feel the joy of winning again, we play a lot

It is not just another game, they are facing a crucial game

We have two very important games this week, not just Tuesday. The way things are in the league on Sunday against Getafe is too. You have to think about playing two good games, winning and nothing more. It is what depends on us because what has happened we can no longer change.

Villarreal came to the break very strong after great games at Old Trafford, at the Bernabéu and against Betis. What has happened to the team in this part of the season?

We played very well against Betis, and after the break it was difficult for us to start. We already saw it against Osasuna, but I don’t know any other recipe other than work, improving each one individually and raising each player to their current level. We are not at the high level that the team needs and we have to do it. If we don’t it will be difficult.

They reached that last break as the least thrashed team in the league and since then they have conceded 9 goals in four games. It is hard to explain that radical change

In the end when you concede so many goals it is because you are not doing things well. We have made many specific mistakes that have cost us points and we have to improve our concentration. We must take care of those details because a very serious game is coming to us where we will pay dearly for any failure.

The sign of this team has been control from possession, and with it they were Europa League champions. This year, on the other hand, the games with the highest percentage of possession have ended up losing them. Do you have to think of a change?

It is not about betting on a change in style, because when the results do not arrive, one tends to think that nothing is worth it anymore, and it is not like that. It is about raising the level of the team, because we are below what we can give. Last year we were two months without winning in the league, but we were able to do a good job in Europe. You have to be able to differentiate the two competitions, make a blur and do your best in this competition to get a great victory. People should enjoy Champions League victories here at home after so many years without playing it

Last season was a very demanding season, where they were emptied until the last game that was the final. Then came a summer with a very difficult preseason with several players affected by COVID, and several others without holidays, with the Eurocup and the Olympic Games. Are all that taking their toll?

Yes it weighs, that is the truth and it is so. But it is what it is and we have to play with it. You have to work, improve and mentally be very focused on the games. Despite all that, if we analyze the latest results in Bilbao, we lost through a penalty, against Osasuna due to mistakes, we have not been inferior to any rival, none have passed us over. But we have not been successful individually and we have paid dearly.

It is said that if Albiol is not there, Villarreal’s defense is soft, that it loses security …

Nerd. That is the opinions of the people, of the press. I do not care what is said because in the same way they have been many years without talking about me. I did not care and I do not care that they say it now. I follow my path and try to learn every day where I have been. The experience has given me a maturity that I wish I had had when I was 25 years old. The years, the parties give it to you. It is normal for the experience to bring it up at this time.

It has already passed last year, where in the worst moments in the league they continued to advance in Europe. This year, despite not beating Atalanta and United, they are showing a better version than in the domestic championship. Why do you think that happened?

It is a mistake that the Champions League motivates us more, because the league should motivate us the same. But it is true that Champions League matches have a special incentive that does make you get the best out of yourself. It will spend Tuesday with the atmosphere of La Cerámica. Your adrenaline rises, the excitement. We must be able to transfer it to the league as well. Last year we weren’t able to do it, but this year we are on time. We are late but I am convinced that we can change it.

Whoever sees only 1-4 of the first leg in Switzerland will think it was easy, but the truth is that they had a very bad time

The Young Boys created many more chances for us than Athletic and Valencia combined, but in the end we won in Switzerland and lost the other two games. They created many problems for us, we suffered a lot. But football is efficiency in the areas and they did not hit it and we did when we got zero to two. Let’s hope that on Tuesday they will create less chances for us and be right to win.

The group is tremendously even. Winning is a very important step, but be careful if they fail …

We must take advantage of the fact that in this second round of the group we have two home games, and that in the Champions League is very important. More than ever it depends on us, if we become strong with our public it will be a very important step to qualify.

Last year he played almost 50 games and added close to 90 in his first two seasons at Villarreal. With 36 he is in figures of when he was 24 years old in Valencia. How do you get it?

It is the result of a lot of work, a lot of effort, of many hours dedicated to being well and taking good care of myself. I am very excited and want to enjoy a career that I know is ending. We have to be aware that football is not for life, that we have to take advantage of it and with 36 years I already try to enjoy every moment without losing the illusion to improve every day. I think I can still improve in many aspects, and that is what excites me, what keeps me alive and happy to achieve things that I have not yet achieved. With 25 years you are not aware of what it means to play the Champions League. You think that if not this year you will already play it two or three from here. Playing it at this age makes you enjoy it to the fullest.

Cristiano says that after a certain age, one kilo less …

I do not follow the routine of the kilo less, but I do do other things. In the end it is rest, eating well, training hard in the morning and afternoon and, above all, mentally wanting. Have desire and enthusiasm to continue competing. That is inside. As long as that desire to compete is there, we will continue making the efforts that it takes and fighting each game as if it were the last.

I wish I had had the maturity at 25 years old that I have now

We must be calm, but we must demand much more of ourselves

What has never been considered is to give up the selection

No, because I was out of the national team for three years, and it’s something I’ve always worked for. I had the opportunity to return and I continue to work to look good, if they call me I want to be prepared regardless of age. We have seen it in the Eurocup, with players like Chiellini winning it at the age of 37.

How do you see the challenge of renewing and fighting for the World Cup at the same age?

For me the challenges are day by day, being at a good level tomorrow to help my team. If extra prizes arrive, perfect. If not, I will not be disappointed because I will have done all that I can. The rope for a while … I will do my best to continue playing at this level. At this age you don’t make plans for six months.

After so many important experiences, what has each era and Gad team brought to your game?

From my time at Valencia, I am left with what such a competitive dressing room gave me, with players like Cañizares, Ayala, Albelda, Baraja, Marchena, Vicente, Villa … I learned a lot being so young from that dressing room. I stay with Ayala, it was fundamental for me to play with him. Then came the move to Madrid, surrounding myself with players of the highest level in a club of great dimensions in all aspects. The pressure of knowing that it is only worth winning. Mourinho’s winning character served me well. I enjoyed the first two years and then I decided to leave to feel like a footballer again. The fundamental step in my career was Italy, where I found my place as a footballer. My teammates and the club gave me a lot of love in Naples. I had great coaches like Sarri, Benítez and Ancelotti. The first two, above all, made me grow a lot as a defense. The Italian league made me learn a lot as a central defender in a place where they loved me a lot and where I was happy. Villarreal has given me the illusion, very beautiful challenges how to get the first club title. I feel like I’ve been here for ten years. They spent two summers trying to sign me in before I arrived and they have welcomed me as if I had been here all my life. They convey a great illusion to achieve challenges, I want to finish my career here and hopefully I can achieve something more before this story ends. Hopefully I can raise another glass or continue enjoying magical nights in the Champions League.

I see him optimistic, but there are worried people watching the team and remembering that the last time they played in the Champions League, the season was complicated in the League and they went down to Second

That doesn’t cross our minds at all! We are going to work hard to move this forward, to win games. And in the same way we tell people that we need them, that we will all be stronger together. We have a great squad, with a lot of experience. We are in November, we must be calm but we also have to know that we must push ourselves more to win.