Villarreal defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in a La Liga clash at the Espana de la Ceramica on January 7.

The yellow submarines played host again to Real Madrid on January 19 – this time a Copa del Rey round of 16 clash.

Speaking ahead of the game, Villarreal head coach Quique Setien called Madrid a ‘wounded animal’ who would do anything to win the tie.

Setien said, “In the Copa del Rey there is no turning back and you can’t make a mistake because you’re out. This accentuates even more the feeling of concentration and demand, but it is something that the player is used to and accepts it as one more demand of what he does.

“For us every game has to be intense. Against Real Madrid the games are always tough because we know the potential they have. We know that they have players who, even if they don’t play well, can make the difference

“I prefer to play against a team that is coming off the back of a win rather than a loss. Real Madrid rarely lose two games in a row. I don’t listen to those who say they are tired or in a bad moment because any wounded animal is much more dangerous than a healthy one. I’m sure they’re going to come here to win.

“In the La Liga game we received great support and I expect the same tomorrow because there will be moments of weakness when their support will help us to get stronger. The support and warmth of your fans when things aren’t going well is a very important plus.”

Indeed, Real Madrid proved to be wounded lions as they came from two goals down to win the tie 3-2.