Llorente reflects on career high
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Article summary
Joseba Llorente struck a second-half hat-trick for Villarreal CF in their 6-3 defeat of Aalborg BK last night and after hailing the spirit of his team-mates declared: "This was probably the best 45 minutes of my career."
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Magical atmosphere
Best night
Half-time talk
Llorente reveals that his primary task, when sent out after half-time with the score at 2-2, had actually been a cautious one rather than an express order to deliver three goals in 17 minutes. "The coach told us, firmly, that he wanted less easy possession in their midfield and especially for their defenders as they tried to bring the ball up the pitch," the 28-year-old said. "He told me to press and harass and close them down until we saw if they could cope."
Next task
The victory leaves Villarreal second behind Manchester United FC in Group E, but only on goal difference, and six points ahead of AaB and Celtic FC. Llorente wants ruthlessness at AaB in a fortnight, so that the remaining matches against United and Celtic can be faced, and hopefully won, with only first place at stake. "We know we must win again, take three points and leave ourselves with a more comfortable finish to the group against two tough teams," the striker said. "We'll have a lot of time to analyse why we conceded three goals – but what a fightback. It was a great display."
