Takefusa Kubo scored the goal of the match that gave Real a 1-0 victory.
Imanol said afterwards: “I am very satisfied with the team of my players, against a wonderful opponent and a wonderful coach, who for one reason or another is difficult to win and today we achieved it.
“The score was going to be tied and it was going to be in the penalty spaces and that’s what happened. A clearance by (Mikel) Oyarzabal and a play by Kubo allowed us to win the score.
“I agree with Marcelino (Villarreal coach) that the match was very balanced and that we had to be exact in the area and we did. Last year we changed the trend a little at home, so that the fans were happier, and we’ll see if we are able to continue like this.
“It wasn’t the most productive or brilliant game we played against Villarreal. I don’t know if it’s fair or unfair, other times they won without deserving it because they did it well, today it’s us.
“We fall in love with what they do, because they are the most productive team in transition, the most productive, and we suffer, but despite that we control to win. “
On Kubo, he added: “I am very clear about it and so is he. He knows that I am demanding of him, but it is because he can do it, because he has shown it. Today he entered the game very well, wanting to be the protagonist, as I always ask him to do. It is an action of wanting and then he has the innate talent to do what he has done.
“He has to have the ambition to do the numbers that I ask of him in terms of goals and assists, I know it is complicated, but he is showing that he is capable.”