Villarreal’s second night of the league phase brings Napoli to La Cerámica with both clubs already under pressure to turn their European starts around. The Spanish side were beaten in Dortmund, Napoli lost narrowly to Arsenal at the Diego Armando Maradona, and the first Italian visitors of Villarreal’s Champions League campaign arrive with Kevin De Bruyne in form and the home goalkeeper ruled out after an overnight robbery.
A demanding European week at La Cerámica
- Villarreal opened their Champions League campaign with a chaotic defeat away to Dortmund, leaving Iñigo’s side needing a result at home to prevent memories of last season’s unsuccessful European run from returning.
- The Yellow Submarine then competed at the Santiago Bernabéu but again came away without a reward, extending a period in which the team have often challenged major opponents without converting those displays into a defining win.
- Napoli also began the league phase with defeat, losing 1-0 to Arsenal, last season’s European runners-up. Allegri’s team therefore travel to Spain needing points as well.
- The Italian side arrive after their most emphatic domestic victory of the season, overcoming difficult opponents Frosinone through a De Bruyne double and a goal from Noa Lang.
- Villarreal’s preparations were disrupted in the early hours before the match when goalkeeper Gulacsi was robbed at his home. He is unavailable, forcing a change in goal.
Iñigo has made six alterations from the side used at the Bernabéu. Gerard Moreno, Álex Moleiro and Georges Mikautadze form an attacking trio intended to give Villarreal a sharper edge on a night when the club are seeking a victory 1,651 days after their previous one in this context.
The fixture also brings Villarreal to the 50-match mark, with Napoli providing the opposition for a significant European occasion. Home form will be central to the club’s attempt to alter last year’s record, when they did not win a Champions League match.
De Bruyne and Hojlund lead Napoli’s threat
De Bruyne is Napoli’s standout danger after his two-goal display against Frosinone, while Rasmus Hojlund gives the visitors another major attacking reference point. Rafa Marín returns to La Cerámica as an established starter for the Italian club, having previously played for Villarreal.
Supporters made clear the scale of the occasion before kick-off. Villarreal’s team bus was met by flares and heavy pyrotechnics, while a Champions League welcome banner greeted Napoli’s arrival. The message around the stadium was direct: La Cerámica must become a difficult venue if Villarreal are to make their campaign count.
A younger Villarreal side has already struck first
There was encouragement earlier in the Youth League, where Villarreal claimed their first victory against Napoli. Raúl García scored four of Villarreal’s five goals, underlining his reputation as a penalty-box finisher.
Raúl Albiol, a notable figure in the histories of both clubs, was also back at La Cerámica for the occasion. “I am very happy to return to La Cerámica,” he said.
For Villarreal, this is more than a response to Dortmund. It is a chance to make a home statement against one of Italy’s leading sides. For Napoli, it is an opportunity to recover immediately from the Arsenal loss. Under the midweek lights, both teams know that another missed opportunity would shape the rest of their European week.
