Villarreal’s Astonishing Paradox: Title Contenders in La Liga, Struggling in Champions League

Villarreal is having a disappointing European campaign. With just one point from six matches, the Yellow Submarine is out of the running for a qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League. This is a significant letdown, especially considering that the club is performing well in La Liga. Currently, Villarreal sits third in the Spanish league, just five points behind leaders FC Barcelona and two points behind second-place Real Madrid. Both of these top teams have played one extra match, meaning Villarreal could potentially move up to second with a win in that game.

While winning La Liga seems far-fetched, the team is certainly in contention. However, there is a stark contrast between their success domestically and their struggles in Europe. Coach Marcelino Garcia Toral expressed his frustration, noting, “I don’t know what’s happening, but we’re not showing the same effectiveness as in La Liga. We’re conceding too many goals, which is impossible to sustain. We’re a better team than Copenhagen, but we didn’t beat them, just like against Pafos.” He highlighted issues in both defense and offense as key factors.

Limited Success

Various reasons can be attributed to this poor performance. Excluding the matches against Copenhagen and Pafos—two opponents Villarreal should have defeated—the schedule has not been very forgiving. The team faced tough away games against Dortmund and Tottenham, as well as matches against Manchester City and Juventus. Although Villarreal did not embarrass themselves in these matches, except for the game against Dortmund, they struggled against stronger opponents. Luck has played a role in their European struggles, as they dominated games against Copenhagen and Pafos and even against Manchester City and Juventus, but were ultimately outperformed by more efficient opponents.

The lack of defensive solidity and scoring efficiency is not evident in La Liga. Additionally, the difference in playing styles between La Liga and European competitions cannot be ignored. In Spain, the pace is generally slower, with teams focusing on structured attacks and lower defensive lines. This contrasts with the more physical and fast-paced style prevalent in other parts of Europe. While teams like Atlético Madrid adapt well to this style, Villarreal, along with Athletic Club and to some extent Barcelona, struggles. The team consists of several playmakers, like Alberto Moleiro and Santi Comesaña, plus striker Gerard Moreno, but lacks players who excel in the high-intensity situations typical of European play.

Clear Lack of Experience

Moreover, despite having a well-rounded squad, the team lacks experience at this level. Most of the key players frequently used by Marcelino do not have substantial European experience. Even seasoned players like Nicolas Pépé and Dani Parejo, or veterans such as Ayoze Pérez and Gerard Moreno, have not achieved significant success in this competition. For many other important players, it is their first time participating, including Alberto Moleiro, Georges Mikautadze, and goalkeeper Luiz Junior, while others like Renato Veiga and Pape Gueye have only played limited minutes.

This issue isn’t purely about skill; it’s clearly a matter of experience. Many players likely feel nervous when the Champions League anthem plays, and they haven’t yet learned to handle specific high-pressure situations. The argument that the squad is too shallow and fatigued from midweek matches isn’t convincing, given the depth of the roster and frequent rotation. Similarly, blaming the departures of players like Baena and Pino last summer is inadequate, as their replacements have performed well, and the team remains competitive in La Liga without them. It’s a mix of bad luck, a different style of play in Europe, and a lack of experience that has led to this disappointing run. Villarreal will look to focus on La Liga for now and maybe hope for a miracle…