A premature farewell in the first UEFA Europa Conference League appearance

Villarreal CF made their debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League, becoming the first Spanish team to play in this new continental competition that began a year earlier, in the 2021/22 campaign.

The Yellows team lost in the round of 16 against Anderlecht (1-1 and 0-1). The team coached by Quique Setién took the lead on Belgian soil, with a fantastic goal by Trigueros, but ended up conceding an equaliser in the second half.

In the second leg, the Submarine needed a win to advance to the next round. However, the Yellows’ lack of finishing condemned their European aspirations. Anderlecht were far more effective at the Estadio de la Cerámica and a Slimani goal put an end to Villarreal’s European dream.

In the group stage, the Yellows finished top of Group C, ahead of Lech Poznan, Hapoel Beer Sheva and Austria Vienna. The Yellows won both matches against the Austrians (5-0 and 0-1), won away and drew at home against the Israeli team (1-2 and 2-2) and won at home (4-3) and lost away (3-0) against the Polish team.

To play in the UEFA Conference League, Villarreal played a qualifying round against Hadjuk Split of Croatia. The team overcame the first leg at the Ciutat de València (4-2) and won the second leg (0-2) on Balkan soil.