Villarreal Poised for Exceptional Season Since 2007/08

Historical Context

Since the turn of the millennium, only Valencia (in 2001/02 and 2003/04) and Atletico Madrid (in 2013/14 and 2020/21) have managed to interrupt the dominance of either Real Madrid or Barcelona in claiming the league title.

In the 2007/08 season, Villarreal, under the management of Manuel Pellegrini, finished as runners-up, breaking the stronghold that the two giants had on the league. They concluded that campaign with a significant margin ahead of Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona, marking the transition from his tenure to Pep Guardiola’s reign. Despite this achievement, Villarreal still trailed Real Madrid by eight points, who finished with 85 points against their 77.

The squad that year featured notable players such as Robert Pires, Santi Cazorla, Diego Godin, Giuseppe Rossi, Guille Franco, and Nihat, making their close second-place finish a memorable season for the Yellow Submarine.

Triumph in the Europa League

The second-place finish in 2008 earned Villarreal a spot in the UEFA Champions League. The team has since established itself as a consistent presence in European competitions, especially in the Europa League, where they achieved their first title in 2021.

Under the management of Unai Emery, who was renowned for his success in the competition with Sevilla, Villarreal claimed a memorable victory against Manchester United in the final, marking a glorious chapter in their history.

Contenders for the Title

Fast forward to the current season, and Villarreal is emerging as a potential contender in the title race. Their recent match against Levante was postponed due to inclement weather, leaving Marcelino’s team in third place with two games in hand over both Real Madrid and Barcelona, trailing by just four and eight points respectively.

The upcoming league match against Barcelona promises to be crucial, as historically, these fixtures tend to be high-scoring encounters. In their previous four meetings, both teams have alternated victories, with scores such as 2-3, 1-5, 3-5, and 3-4.

Solid Foundation Under Marcelino

Marcelino’s squad boasts a blend of physicality, speed, and creativity. Key players like Thomas Partey, who has recovered his form after a stint with Arsenal, have become instrumental in breaking up opposition plays and facilitating fast counter-attacks. Despite personal challenges, his consistent performance has significantly impacted Villarreal’s season.

Another former Arsenal player, Nicolas Pepe, while not leading in direct contributions, showcased his influence by winning the La Liga Player of the Month award in August, demonstrating that his value extends beyond mere goal statistics.

Defensive Strength

With only 13 goals conceded in 25 league matches this season, Villarreal possesses the strongest defensive record in La Liga. Key defenders such as Juan Foyth, Renato Veiga, and Santiago Mourino have been pivotal in maintaining this strong performance, with the team only suffering two defeats—against Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

However, the team’s current form in the Champions League contrasts sharply, as they find themselves with just one point after six matches, struggling at the 35th position.

Strategic Moves Ahead

The upcoming January transfer window could be crucial for Villarreal as they look to build on their current success. With a club-record budget of €215 million, significantly lower than Real Madrid and Barcelona’s projected figures, matching the top teams poses a noteworthy achievement for Villarreal.

With their impressive start to the season and potential for further reinforcements, few would be surprised to see Villarreal challenge for the top spots in La Liga, or even aim for their first-ever league title at the Estadio de la Cerámica.