Boruc heroics frustrate Llorente
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Article summary
As far as Villarreal CF striker Joseba Llorente was concerned, it was only visiting goalkeeper Artur Boruc who prevented a bigger margin of victory against Celtic FC following the home side's 1-0 Group E win.
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Brave saves
Villarreal share the Group E lead with Manchester United FC, three points ahead of Celtic, who for the 18th time failed to win away from home in the competition proper. However, it took until the 67th minute for Marcos Senna to find a way past Boruc and Llorente was one of the Villarreal players who suffered most at the hands, body and feet of the inspired Polish keeper.
Frustration
"I must say that I thought Boruc was easily Celtic's best player on the night," said Llorente. "It has been a long time since I've seen a visiting keeper play so outstandingly and he's the reason that I'm frustrated despite a really good win for our side. I think that we had two or three top quality goal chances denied which were totally down to his exceptional saves. However, it was the three points, not the margin of victory which were more important to us."
Consistent tempo
The Spanish striker is new to Villarreal this season but understands the kind of rhythm which coach Manuel Pellegrini demands of his side. Llorente's view is that while Celtic showed a smart, continental approach to managing the game, Villarreal never dropped their tempo and stuck, doggedly, to their own gameplan. "Celtic certainly pressed us well and didn't give away cheap possession," said the former Real Valladolid CF forward. "We know how to play as a unit, how to keep the pressure up and how to be relentless in our using possession creatively. There was a temptation to be driven mad by Celtic's stubbornness but we avoided that and I think it was a mature performance by us."
Long way to go
Villarreal – who now have two matches against Aalborg BK – and United look as if they are in the box seats to qualify from the section even with four Matchdays left. But Llorente argues that a lot remains to be achieved before Villarreal can be confident of matching their feat when they made their only previous appearance in 2005/06: topping a group which contained United and reaching the semi-finals. "There is no way anyone will catch us relaxing at this stage, it's far too soon," the 28-year-old confirmed. "However, our next game is at home against Aalborg and if we win that one then it will be a massive step forward."
