Veiga keeps feet on ground as Yellow Submarine ride high
Villarreal defender Renato Veiga dismisses talk of third place dreams, focusing solely on tough Getafe clash as he steps up in Foyth's absence
Portuguese defender Renato Veiga is keeping Villarreal grounded despite their impressive form, insisting the squad is focused only on their upcoming clash with Getafe rather than dreaming of Champions League qualification.
The summer signing has been a revelation for Marcelino’s side this season, racking up more minutes (2,335) than any other player in the squad. With Juan Foyth sidelined through injury, the Portuguese defender now anchors a youthful backline that will need to step up against a notoriously difficult Getafe side.
Getafe test looms large
Veiga is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting the Yellow Submarine at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, a ground where even Spain’s giants have struggled this season.
“We know we’re going to a difficult stadium where the big teams have already played and had difficulties,” Veiga acknowledged, highlighting Villarreal’s determination to stick to their principles regardless of the opposition.
Youthful defence stepping up
With Foyth’s absence, Villarreal’s backline has lost significant experience, but Veiga isn’t concerned about the added responsibility falling on younger shoulders:
- The squad maintains a strong team-first mentality
- Experienced players like Parejo, Moreno and the injured Foyth provide guidance
- The blend of youth and experience creates a positive atmosphere
“Each player has their responsibility in the team. We’re all very important and the coaching staff makes it clear: each one has their role, but above everything is the team,” Veiga explained.
Champions League dreams on hold
Despite sitting within striking distance of the European places, Veiga refuses to entertain talk of securing third spot in La Liga. When asked about such ambitions, he remained laser-focused on the immediate task.
“What we can dream about is winning the next match, that’s the objective, and we’ll see at the end where we are in the classification,” he stated pragmatically.
Clean sheet satisfaction
Villarreal’s recent defensive improvement has been notable, with a clean sheet in their victory against Espanyol providing a platform to build on. For Veiga, these shutouts represent collective achievement rather than personal glory.
The defender, who arrived as one of Villarreal’s most expensive signings last summer, has clearly bought into Marcelino’s philosophy. His performances have been proper dog’s bollocks for the Yellow Submarine, who continue to punch above their weight in a competitive Liga campaign.