Chukwueze sings praise of Villarreal coach Emery before Liverpool trip
Samuel Chukwueze is full of praise for Villarreal manager Unai Emery as they prepare for their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Emery guided the Yellow Submarine to win the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League title and he is on the verge of leading them to another European final.
Chukwueze played a heroic role in Villarreal’s progress to the final stage with his match-winning goal that spurred them past Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena a fortnight ago.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game at Anfield, the Super Eagles star pointed out Emery’s influence and the team’s readiness to get a favourable away result.
“The most important thing is the coach. He’s so fantastic,” Chukwueze told UEFA website.
“He knows how to read the game and everything. Reaching the semi-finals with this coach, I think, is amazing. It’s a dream come true for him also, and for the club.
“Playing Liverpool – they are one of the favourites, also, but we’re going to push, to show them that this is why we’re in the semi-finals.”
Chukwueze has contributed four goals and three assists in all competitions for Villarreal this season and he revealed how they have been able to negotiate their way past opponents so far.
“What makes this Villarreal team so special is that they take themselves as a family, they look after each other, and they work for each other on the field,” he said.
“They don’t complain: ‘Oh, this person’s not doing his job’ or anything. They work together. That’s what it means. That’s what’s keeping us together, the work, the contact, everything.”
