Villarreal becomes the ninth newly promoted Spanish club that will play a European competition
With its mathematical qualification for the Europa League next season, Villarreal have managed to enter into the select club of the newly promoted teams achieving qualification for continental competitions in just one year. Only nine teams have achieved such an accomplishment in the history of Spanish football: Sevilla (1970), Sporting Gijon (1978), Betis (1995 and 2002), Mallorca (1998), Rayo Vallecano (2000), Zaragoza (2004 ), Celta Vigo (2006) and Villarreal (2014).
The submarine of Marcelino Garcia Toral has certified its objective after a fantastic first round, and a second half of competition in which the yellows, although being more irregular, have managed to overcome the obstacles that have appeared.
With a brilliant start (four wins and six games without defeat), Villarreal became one of the sensations of the season and it was fourth in the table until December. A revolution for a newly promoted team that, despite the good reinforcements remained the same block that was promoted from second division to La Liga last season. It will be impossible to forget the memorable performances against Osasuna, Real Madrid, Atlético, Valencia, Levante or the amazing victory against Real Sociedad in El Madrigal…
With 53 points and two remaining games to play, Villarreal has come back through the wide door on its return to the top flight of Spanish football, a category that it should never have left.
