Villarreal owner Fernando Roig
Villarreal owner Fernando Roig
Liverpool have made a strong start to their Champions League campaign, but their upcoming meeting with Villarreal will bring another important test as they look to continue their progress in Europe.
The Reds have plenty of experience in the competition and will be looking to make the most of their home advantage at Anfield.
However, Villarreal will arrive with their own ambitions, with owner Fernando Roig admitting that facing Liverpool is an emotional experience for him.
Speaking to The Guardian, Roig opened up about the stress of watching his side compete at the highest level, revealing that the feeling goes far beyond simply getting nervous before a big game.
“I don’t get nervous. It’s worse: I get worried, very anxious,” he said. “I suffer a lot.”
Roig explained that the occasion is particularly special because of the history between the two clubs, with this meeting set to be their fifth encounter.
Three of those matches will have taken place at Anfield.
The Villarreal owner also revealed how he plans to spend his time around the fixture, admitting that watching the game itself is the part he finds most difficult.
“It’s emotional to play Liverpool. This will be the fifth time we have faced them, the third at Anfield. The other two were European semi-finals,” he continued.
Roig explained that he would watch Villarreal train before travelling with the squad and joining them for a meal.
He also plans to watch the club’s under-19s before the senior side takes to the pitch.
“The next day I’ll watch the under-19s in the morning, that I do like. And then the game, which I don’t. Then we’ll fly back here very, very late. It’s very stressful.”
Liverpool’s recent European record will give them confidence heading into the meeting, particularly after their impressive 6-3 victory over LASK in their second Champions League match of the season.
Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick as the Reds made it two wins from two in the competition.
Villarreal have also started their European campaign well, beating Napoli 3-1 in their second league-phase fixture.
That sets up an interesting meeting between two sides who have made positive starts to their campaigns.
However, for Roig, the result will clearly come with plenty of nerves, even if he insists that the feeling is something much worse.
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