2004/05: Third in LaLiga
As the years passed and Villarreal were putting in great performances in the First Division their quality eventually came to light. The Yellow Submarine produced their best campaign in history, finishing in third place in the 2004/05 season with 65 points, behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Yellows were brilliant in all areas and, what’s more, Diego Forlán established himself as the top goal scorer in Spain and Europe with 25 goals.
Villarreal qualified for Europe’s biggest competition in the last league match of the season. It was a thrilling encounter that finished 4-1, with goals from Josico, Lucho Figueroa and Forlán (2). That 29th May 2005 will be forever remembered by Yellows fans as the day the Submarine guaranteed their place among the best teams in Europe.
After getting to the top part of the table, Villarreal could start dreaming about their first adventure in the Champions League for the 2005/06 campaign, the most important club competition on the planet.
Diego Forlán – Top Goal Scorer and Golden Boot Award
This amazing feat in the 2004/05 season also led to other records for Villarreal CF. The Uruguayan striker Diego Forlán scored 25 goals that campaign, which made him the top goal scorer in all the European leagues. He was therefore awarded the Golden Boot by European Sports Media and the Top Goal Scorer award from ‘Diario Marca’.
Squad:
López Vallejo, Gonzalo, Arruabarrena, Cazorla, Forlán, Josico, Guayre, Riquelme, Anderson, Figueroa, Roger, Calleja, Sorín, Héctor Font, Quique Álvarez, Javi Venta, Marcos Senna, Battaglia, Peña, José Mari, Armando Sá, Reina, César Arzo, Cases, Fran, Verza, Xisco Nadal, Alcántara, David Sánchez and Fuster.
