The midfielder is the player with the most minutes for Villarreal B in LaLiga SmartBank
Alberto del Moral arrived at Miralcamp in the summer of 2021 to reinforce Villarreal B’s midfield for the new Primera RFEF division. The midfielder, born in Villacañas (Toledo) on 20th July 2000, had no idea at the time what he was about to experience over the next two seasons. Del Moral quickly made a place for himself in the team that achieved the historic promotion to LaLiga SmartBank, where he continues to be one of Miguel Álvarez’s most trusted men, having become the only player to have played more than 3,000 minutes in the second tier.
Indispensable for the B team
The talented Yellow midfielder has played 35 of the 39 games in the Spanish Segunda División, that is to say all the games in which he has been available. For the youngster, it was a dream to miss one of those four games in order to make his first-team debut against Athletic Club at the Nuevo San Mamés on 30th October. Later, he was also called up to Quique Setién’s squad for the derby against Valencia CF on a very special day for all the Submarine fans, who were able to watch the first home game after the renovation of the Estadio de la Cerámica.
However, that day he did not appear in the shorts at La Cerámica, a milestone for which he had to wait just two weeks, when the Mini Submarine played their first game at the stadium, once again playing the full 90 minutes. Del Moral has started and played as many minutes as possible in each and every one of the matches with the B team.
His first goal at La Cerámica
So many minutes played, outstanding assists to his teammates like against Mirandés or Real Oviedo and help both in attack and defence were rewarded against a big rival like Deportivo Alavés. Villarreal B beat Deportivo Alaves 1-0 at La Cerámica and he scored the only goal of the game to bring the three points back to Vila-real. That night was very special for all the members of the B team, who celebrated the important victory with the fans and Del Moral, always vital in the shadows, was the protagonist of that magical day that will remain in the history of the Yellows Academy.
Other essential players
Del Moral is the only Mini Submarine player to have surpassed 3,000 minutes in LaLiga SmartBank this season, but there are other teammates who are close behind him. His nearest challenger is captain Dela, a strong centre-back with excellent ball control, who also has more than 3,000 minutes on the pitch, if you include his performances for both the first team and the B team. In addition, Dani Tasende, Carlo Adriano, Fer Niño and Diego Collado also follow in the wake of the midfielder from La Mancha, having played the vast majority of minutes in a division as tough as the Second Division.
