Villarreal CF went top of LaLiga, after beating Atlético Madrid on Matchday 6 of the 2015/16 season
With LaLiga being temporary suspended, here at Villarreal CF; we’ve decided to periodically relive moments, teams and people which have stood out in the club’s history. To begin with, we will remember when the Submarine went top of the table in the top flight for the first and only time in their history.
26th September 2015 was an unforgettable day for Villarreal fans. For the first time in history, and after 16 years in the top flight, the Yellow Submarine went clear on points at the top of the table, after beating Atlético Madrid 1-0 at El Madrigal on Matchday 6.
The Yellows, managed by Marcelino García Toral, went into the game after a draw against Real Betis (1-1) and four wins in a row versus RCD Espanyol (3-1), Granada CF (1-3), Athletic Club (3-1) and Málaga CF (0-1). After the first five games, Villarreal were tied at the top of the table with Real Madrid and RC Celta, with 13 points.
The Submarine were better than Atlético Madrid for the whole game. In the 14th minute, Leo Baptistao scored the only goal of the game, which ended 1-0 to the Yellows. The goal came from Manu Trigueros’ boots, wit the midfielder playing a great through pass for Baptistao. The Brazilian striker played a one-two with Roberto Soldado, before shooting across Jan Oblak and into the back of the net.
The Yellows had the following line up that day: Alphonse Areola; Mario Gaspar, Eric Bailly, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa; Jonathan dos Santos, Bruno Soriano, Manu Trigueros, Samu Castillejo; Leo Baptistao, Roberto Soldado. Atlético Madrid’s staring XI was: Oblak; Jesús Gámez, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis; Saúl, Gabi, Tiago, Oliver Torres; Jackson Martínez, Griezmann.
The Yellows were top of the league for two matchdays. Despite losing 1-0 to Levante UD in the next game, Villarreal stayed leaders, as RC Celta, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona were also unable to win.
On Matchday 8, in mid-October, the Yellows returned to lose once more, 1-2 at home to RC Celta. The Yellows fell from first to fifth in the table.
As well as that great memory of leading the table, the 2015/16 also gave us other unforgettable moments. Villarreal finished fourth and secured their place in the UEFA Champions League after a 0-2 win at Mestalla. They also reached the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, facing Liverpool CF. They won the home game 1-0, but lost 3-0 at Anfield.
#HistoriaGrogueta
