Exemplary Villarreal stand in Liverpool’s way

Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral spoke carefully but with clear emotion after his team had beaten Liverpool 1-0 in last Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg.

“We’re very proud of how the team played, the work they put in,” Marcelino said at his post-match news conference.

“Since the draw we have all — players, fans, everyone at Villarreal — been thinking about this chance to make history against a team with an extraordinary trophy record.