The Submarine faces a top-level league duel just before kicking off the continental competition (Saturday, 9pm CEST)
Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid will have to wait until next week to hear, for the first time this season, the Champions League anthem. However, the clash between the Groguets and Los Colchoneros, set for Saturday at 9pm CEST at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, has nothing to envy from the biggest nights of European football.
Both Atlético and Villarreal are among the 36 teams competing in this prestigious tournament. Over the coming months, the most iconic chords in world football will be heard in their stadiums. A privilege for Villarreal, and a familiar routine for Cholo Simeone’s men.
But before that, both sides will face off in LALIGA EA Sports in a high-demand showdown where they’ll need to bring their best to prove their European pedigree—ideally in the Champions League.
Atlético will rely on their home crowd to try to secure their first win of the season, after a shaky start that has seen them lose away to RCD Espanyol (1-0) and draw twice—against Elche at home (1-1) and Deportivo Alavés away (1-1).
Meanwhile, Villarreal will look to take advantage of the pressure on Atlético and spring a surprise. With less urgency, the Groguets have collected seven of the nine points available, after home wins against Real Oviedo (2-0) and Girona FC (5-0), plus a 1-1 draw away at RC Celta in Balaídos—where they came just seconds away from grabbing all three points.
Two of the summer’s biggest movers
Atlético de Madrid and Villarreal CF were two of the busiest clubs in Spain during the transfer window, bringing in top names to compete across three competitions.
Atlético have added ten high-profile signings: Johnny Cardoso, David Hancko, Raspadori, Thiago Almada, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill, Juan Musso, Nico González, Clement Lenglet, and former Villarreal man Álex Baena. The Almería-born midfielder, however, won’t face his old teammates after undergoing appendicitis surgery.
Villarreal also made ten new additions: Renato Veiga, Rafa Marín, Alberto Moleiro, Arnau Tenas, Tajon Buchanan, Tani Oluwaseyi, Thomas Partey, Santiago Mouriño, Manor Solomon, and Georges Mikautadze. The Israeli and Georgian attackers joined up with Marcelino this week and are waiting for a possible debut against Cholo’s men.
Competing at the Metropolitano
Year after year, Atlético are one of Europe’s toughest teams to beat at home. Winning at the Metropolitano is a tall order, but Villarreal have held their own there in recent years. The numbers back it up: in the last five visits, the Groguets have won once and drawn three times against Atlético.
On their most recent trip to the Metropolitano, with Marcelino already in charge, Villarreal earned a 1-1 draw. Just before halftime, Gerard Moreno scored from the spot after being fouled by Reinildo. In the second half, Samuel Lino equalized, finishing off a rebound from Luiz Júnior.
