Villarreal face Napoli at La Cerámica tonight knowing that a first Champions League win of the season cannot be postponed for much longer. Liverpool at Anfield and Paris Saint-Germain in Vila-real are next on the European schedule, leaving the Yellow Submarine with little room to let another opportunity pass.
A demanding European night in Vila-real
Last season’s Champions League campaign has sharpened Villarreal’s approach to the competition’s new format. The club have learned that missed chances can quickly become costly, and Napoli’s visit arrives with pressure already rising around their league-phase position.
- Villarreal secured two important victories before the international break, easing doubts after an uneven start to a season in which an environment used to winning had become restless.
- They then went to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday and lost to Real Madrid, but produced a competitive display that suggested greater reliability after their difficult opening weeks.
- The physical and emotional demands of that match leave little recovery time before Napoli arrive, although Iñigo is expected to retain much of the side that started in Madrid.
- The coach has urged his players to use the prospect of their first continental victory as their answer to fatigue.
Villarreal’s improvement has been closely linked to a tactical adjustment made before the break. Moleiro has operated as a No. 10, with two wide players supporting a central attacking reference.
That shape is now harder to reproduce. Buchanan and Pépé, the latter affected by an eye problem, are expected to be unavailable for the coming weeks. Iñigo must therefore find solutions within his squad.
- Saliba could return to the starting side after his unwanted involvement in Vinicius’ sending-off at the Bernabéu.
- Carlos Romero is being considered for a more advanced role in midfield.
- A three-man midfield, used in an earlier domestic match and against Borussia Dortmund in Villarreal’s opening European fixture, remains another possibility.
- Mikautadze is also in line to feature and needs a defining performance after an unconvincing start to his campaign.
Napoli arrive with renewed confidence
Napoli have also had an irregular beginning, but Massimiliano Allegri’s team travel to Spain encouraged by a forceful weekend response. Their 3-0 win over Frosinone brought a timely lift, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice to underline his enduring influence.
- Napoli went into the weekend still carrying notable absences.
- Scott McTominay returned in the 3-0 victory after recovering from cardiovascular problems.
- The Scotland international is expected to start at La Cerámica.
- Allegri tested a 3-4-3 for the first time this season and could retain it in Vila-real, although a back four has not been ruled out.
Former Villarreal defender Rafa Marín is part of Napoli’s options in either defensive system.
Allegri’s return carries old Champions League memories
For Allegri, the visit brings him back to the site of one of the more painful European results of his Juventus spell. Villarreal and Juve drew 1-1 at La Cerámica in the first leg of their 2021-22 Champions League last-16 tie.
Unai Emery’s Villarreal then won 3-0 in Italy, eliminating Juventus and prompting heavy criticism of the coach from Livorno. This time, Allegri returns with Napoli, while Villarreal seek the result that could steady their European week before the schedule becomes even more severe.
