The Yellow Submarine will be aiming to start their group stage campaign with a win over Atalanta BC in Europe’s elite competition
Villarreal play their first game of the new UEFA Champions league season this week, facing Atalanta BC on Tuesday, at 9pm CEST, at the Estadio de la Cerámica. It’s a match that marks the start of the Yellows’ fourth campaign in Europe’s elite competition, after having competed in 2005/2006, 2007/2009 and 2011/12.
Unai Emery’s side will be looking to start the group stages with a win, something that they haven’t managed to do in any of their four previous attempts.
Difficult starts for the Submarine in the Champions League
Villarreal hold the record for being the debuting side to have reached the latest stage of the UEFA Champions League, when in 2005/06, they reached the semi-finals after eliminating Inter Milan in the last eight. Despite their historic campaign however, the Yellows could only manage a 0-0 draw with Manchester United on their opening group-stage game at the old El Madrigal.
In their second Champions League appearance, Villarreal once again began their campaign with a game against the Red Devils, which also ended in a 0-0 draw, this time at Old Trafford. Once again, the Yellows began their Champions League run with a point.
The Submarine also couldn’t start the 2011/12 group-stages with a win, when they welcomed Bayern Munich to the Estadio El Madrigal. The Groguets fell to a 2-0 defeat, as Toni Kroos and Rafinha scored for the Bavarian side.
