Iñigo Pérez demands full focus for Villarreal's Copa del Rey opener at Manacor

Iñigo Pérez has demanded full concentration from Villarreal CF for their Copa del Rey debut on Tuesday against CD Manacor. The match, kicking off at 21:00 on the artificial turf of Na Caperella, marks the start of the competition for a team buoyed by a recent win at Mestalla.

The Yellow Submarine's coach was clear in his pre-match press conference. "Tomorrow's match, for us, is of maximum importance, because we are facing a competition that always gives upsets and we cannot relax for a single second," Pérez explained. The manager stressed the need to match the emotional intensity of a lower-league opponent who will throw everything at the game on home soil.

Absences and returns

Villarreal face the tie with several key absences. Ilias Akhomach is unavailable due to muscle issues, while Carlos Romero and Nathan Saliba are also not travelling. On a positive note, Nicolás Pepe returns to the squad after receiving medical clearance following eye surgery.

The squad also has the versatility of Alex Freeman, a player praised by Pérez for his humility and ability to operate in multiple positions. Also, the coaching staff could give minutes to academy products like Nízar El Jmili or José Gaitán.

League context

The team arrives at this cup fixture on the back of a significant win in La Liga's 10th matchday, a 1-2 victory at Valencia with goals from Alex Freeman and Georges Mikautadze. That result, part of a run of two wins in their last three league games, left Villarreal tenth in the standings, with 12 points from three wins, three draws and four defeats. Their next league commitment is at home against Espanyol on Saturday, an opponent currently sitting 18th and who will be the next fixture at El Madrigal.

Pérez also addressed the squad's mood after the success at Mestalla. "We are very good, liberated, above all by the feeling of being able to enjoy ourselves from time to time," the coach stated. To adapt to the playing surface, the team has trained on artificial turf this week, a factor the coaching staff did not want to leave to chance. The Copa del Rey draw paired Villarreal with Manacor in the first round, a tie to be decided in ninety minutes with extra time and penalties if necessary. The starting lineup will be announced one hour before kick-off.

Background and full detail: Villarreal CF.es