Villarreal vs Real Sociedad preview - Senna: Forget Euro problems

Posted Sunday, December 11, 2011 by PA

Midfielder Marcos Senna believes Villarreal have to put the disappointment of their disastrous Champions League campaign behind them if they are to move up the Primera Division table, starting with visit of Real Sociedad.

The yellow submarine currently sit in 15th after a difficult start to the season and became the first Spanish side in history to lose all six Champions League group games after a 2-0 defeat to Napoli on Wednesday.

Senna told the club's website: "Despite the defeats we have to be optimistic. We are totally concentrated in doing well in the league and we will go for it on Sunday. We have to think game by game.

"If we win against Sociedad it will give us a confidence boost and bring some happiness to the fans too. The Champions League is gone now and there no point in looking back."

Senna is one of many Villarreal players whose season has been disrupted by injury but he made his comeback against Napoli and hopes to return to his best form in the coming weeks.

"I feel really good. Against Napoli I had a lot of confidence that I would do well and I finished happy because I could play like I wanted to, pressuring and playing strongly. Now I have to show my best level."

Cani, Nilmar, Javier Camunas and Cristian Zapata have also returned to Juan Carlos Garrido's squad in the past week but Mateo Musacchio is unavailable through suspension.

Real Sociedad moved ahead of Sunday's opponents with a dramatic 3-2 win over Malaga last weekend.

La Real had gone nine games without a win until victory over Betis two weeks ago and Antoine Griezmann hopes that he can rediscover the excellent form he displayed last season to help Sociedad continue moving up the table.

The Frenchman told the club's website: "I am only thinking about football, in doing the right things and helping the team. I hope to rediscover the level I had before.

"I am more grounded and play with more freedom now. It is clear we needed the points and the two wins. Now we have to continue on this run and we can't afford to relax."

Playmaker Xabi Prieto could return for Sociedad after missing the last two games through injury, but Philippe Montanier may instead choose to reward Joseba Llorente or Diego Ifran with a start after both played a crucial role in turning the game against Malaga around in the final 10 minutes.