Bruno Soriano, eternal captain of Villarreal, will see from the stands a final of the team of his life. The former yellow footballer assures that he is happy seeing the team at this moment, to which he adds that he sees things very well and is very optimistic. What's more, he doesn't think United will make the mistake of belittling the yellow team.
After so many years waiting, and they just reach the final the year you leave, how are you doing?
It is clear that it passes through your head that they just reach a final the year that you are no longer here, it leaves you with that feeling that it was something you dreamed of and that this was your great illusion throughout your career. But I can assure you that I really enjoyed the semifinal and qualifying, it was something very special and very beautiful for me. I saw it at home and suffered until the end, but once it was over I celebrated it a lot. I spoke with my ex-teammates, I congratulated them all, and I was very happy.
That was left in the inkwell, right?
I had this obsession of being able to play a final, it is something that I do not hide and that remained pending in my career, I do not hide it. But the truth is that what I want the most is that they can win it now, as a yellow fan, I only think about that.
It was the great obsession of the club, it was the great goal for years. Was it so like that?
When you are on the team, you don't get so obsessed, you see things differently. But it is true that everyone always told us that Villarreal lacked a title, that was a very day-to-day topic. I didn't think so much about the title, I thought we should look for a final, it was our turn. I think the club needed that final, it was something that was already their turn. Later we will see what happens in the final, if you win it will be something very big, but if we don't, I don't think it will be so bad either.
“We cannot lower our arms whatever happens, we will have our options to win the final”
A little yours and of all those who have tried and have not arrived, this is the final, don't you think?
I like to think that this final is a little bit of everyone, a little bit of all the players who have passed through here, and that everyone's effort has helped to achieve that goal. Many of us have been frustrated to stay so close, to stay at the gates, knowing what it means. But all that has matured the team, has made us grow and become what we are now.
You haven't won a title, but you rescued the team from hell. Does that also count as almost a title?
I have not won a title, but it is true that this season of promotion is my title for me. It was something very special, it was lived with great intensity and we were all very together and very excited. The truth is that it reminds me a lot of the current situation. I see people very excited, I really like that feeling.
Can you imagine playing with Parejo?
Parejo is a player with whom I would have liked to play, he is a player that I have always liked a lot and that I thought was very good. It's a shame not to have been able to play, since the year I left came, I would have liked it a lot. In addition, at Villarreal we are seeing that he is showing his level as a player, but they also tell me that personally he is an excellent person and that he has adapted very quickly. He came from a great team like Valencia, and without making noise he has shown a lot.
“I think the club needed that final, it was something that was already their turn”
How do you see the final?
I really have very good feelings. I don't know if it's overconfidence, but I'm optimistic. I have the feeling of tranquility, it is what the team gives me, it is what I feel. It is a team that competes and fights, we saw it with Sevilla and we have seen it all season. I see the team and it gives me a lot of confidence, I see it as confident, convinced and we have high-level and decisive players.
And how do you think it should be played?
Let's see how the game is played, a final is a final, and it has nothing to do with other games. I read Raúl Albiol and I agree with him, who said that the key is to enter the game liberated, leave without pressure and only think about football and the game. In nothing else. They have good players, they are complicated, but we also have good players and we are a good team. In this type of match the worst is the previous one, the worst is the previous days. And the best thing is when the referee whistles. Before you only think about how it can be given, and once it starts you know that you can carry it out. You have the great opportunity to do something great and you must forget the pressure and enjoy.
What do you think of the team?
We have a good team, we have players with a lot of experience, to which are added very good and cheeky young players. That's good, they no longer have that pressure and they are not afraid of anything. The mix of mature players and cheeky young players is very good.
It is vital not to lower your arms no matter what happens. Is it another of the keys?
You never know what can happen, you can score, they can do it, you can be tied until the end … You must be prepared for everything and never lower your arms no matter what, since a final is very long and you can always have your option. You have to continue to the end with the same intention and the same motivation.
They think they are favorites. Can that mislead you?
I think Manchester knows what they have in front of them, I don't think they think they have it easy. I don't think they make the mistake of belittling Villarreal, I don't think they wonder what they have in front of them. They know.
If you win a piece of the Cup, will it be for your museum?
If the title is won I will not consider it mine as a player, since my time has passed and this is the time of this group. I am out of the club and the dressing room, and this will be theirs. But as a follower that I am, I will celebrate it like the most. The president and all the people of the club deserve it, all the people who have been there for so long deserve it. The truth is that I would love for us to win this title.