Pellegrini: We Must Maintain The Gap

An automatic slot in the group stage of next season's Champions League is up for grabs if Villarreal can hold onto second place in the remaining games and Pellegrini is aware that the position is not yet secured.

"We are three games from the end and our objective is close, but it is not yet achieved and it is therefore important to maintain our advantage, especially over a club like Barcelona. Both teams have two very difficult matches left and the one that plays better and is able to take the better results can achieve second place," he told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

Villarreal's first barrier to a top two finish comes in the shape of relegation-threatened Recreativo. Although Pellegrini is confident they can take the three points he is nevertheless cautious to write off their opponents.

"It is true that in the Copa we lost there but won at home and, in addition, they were able to draw with us in the league, which was a result that hurt us a lot. Let us hope that we have improved since then and that this time we are ready to take the three points from Huelva," he affirmed.

Pellegrini is seeking a repeat of his side's excellent second half performance against Getafe at the weekend, but knows that Wednesday will be a different match due to Recreativo being embroiled in a battle to beat the drop.

"When you play in a match where you have so much at stake, it is normal to play nervously, but they will give the maximum effort that they have, which will make things difficult for us," he explained.

"We will see what type of Recreativo performance we get, although the important thing is for us to continue our form and style of play."


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