Villarreal have won their first two games in the continental competition this season and will try to stay top of the group against Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are also unbeaten
A spectacular start. Villarreal CF have had a magnificent start to their UEFA Europa League campaign this season. After winning their first two games against Sivasspor (5-3) and Qarabag (1-3), the Yellows are Group I leaders, although they are level on points with their next opponents, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The three goals scored against Qarabag made Villarreal the team with the most goals in the the competition’s history, with 132 goals. So far this season, the Yellows are also the top-scoring team, with eight goals. They are also the side to have made the most shots, with a total of 40.
Paco Alcácer, infallible in Europe
Valencian striker Paco Alcácer is the top goalscorer in the UEFA Europa League. He has scored four goals in just 36 minutes, after coming off the bench against Sivasspor and Qarabag. The Yellows’ No.17 has had five shots on target and one shot off target in the first two games. Maximum efficiency for the forward.
Facing Maccabi Tel Aviv with the leadership up for grabs
Like the Yellow Submarine, Maccabi Tel Aviv have won their first two games, having beaten Qarabag (1-0) and Sivasspor (1-2).
The Israeli side, with 23 league titles, is the most-decorate side and current domestic champions. However, despite their good start in Europe, they haven’t started so well domestically. In their first four goals, they have three draws and a loss.
The Submarine have previously faced Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Europa League, in the 2017/18 season in the group stage. The first game, at the Netanya Stadium, ended in a 0-0 draw, while the second tie, at the Estadio de la Cerámica ended in a win for the visitors (0-1). Maccabi Tel Aviv won a tight match against a Villarreal side who had already qualified as group champions, and played with a number of Yellows Academy players.
