Iñigo Pérez: “Today I’ll finally be able to sleep” after beating Málaga

Villarreal’s coach Iñigo Pérez assessed the win over Málaga and focused on the relief it brought. The Navarro manager said it was crucial to respond after conceding the opening goal, arguing that the match could have slipped into doubt at that point.

Relief after the 1-0

Pérez’s take, as reported by MARCA, was that the real merit was keeping playing the same way despite being behind. He stressed that reacting to the first goal—“coming from where we come from”—is what separates a good response from a fragile one.

He also discussed the structure around the attacking midfield spot. Pérez defended keeping their usual system regardless of which player takes the “10” role, saying that for Moleiro it’s “his natural position” as a number 10. He added that the team will continue experimenting with the spaces created by that choice.

Comesaña and the endgame plan

On Comesaña’s injury, Pérez said he hadn’t spoken with the referee about the matter and framed it as an exchange of opinions. If Santi left the pitch on his own, Pérez said it was because he felt pain, and that tests will determine the outcome.

With the match reaching its final stretch, he explained the decision to shift into a back three. He felt it helped them maintain a three-vs-two advantage in the last line without “sinking” too deep, using positioning to force mistakes.

Pérez finished by underlining how liberating the victory felt: “Today I’ll sleep… the other time I didn’t,” noting it’s a boost for the players and the club leadership, even as he warned they must not drop the standards.