The Yellow Submarine will look for their first win in an exciting clash against one of the best teams on the planet (Tuesday, 9pm CEST)
Villarreal CF continue their journey in the UEFA Champions League by facing one of the best teams on the planet. The Yellows will host Manchester City this Tuesday at 9pm CEST at the Estadio de la Cerámica, full of belief and ambition as they search for their first victory in Europe’s elite competition.
The match against the Citizens will be Villarreal’s third in this prestigious tournament. The Yellows were narrowly beaten by Tottenham (1-0) in London before earning a valuable point against Juventus (2-2) in a thrilling encounter at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
With one point on the board and the ambition to surprise a European giant at the Yellows’ fortress, Villarreal will need to be at their very best to defeat a world-class side like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. So far in the competition, the English side have beaten Napoli 2-0 in their opening European fixture and drew 2-2 away to AS Monaco in the Principality.
In the Premier League, Manchester City currently sit second, just behind Arsenal, and come into the game on the back of three consecutive wins against Everton, Brentford and Burnley.
A Champions League precedent
Villarreal CF already know what it means to face Manchester City in Europe’s elite competition. The two teams met during the 2011/12 Champions League campaign. That year, the Yellow Submarine were narrowly beaten 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium, despite taking the lead through Cani. In the return fixture at the old El Madrigal, Villarreal lost 3-0 to the British side, then managed by Roberto Mancini.
As a curious statistic, Manchester City have gone five games without a win against Spanish clubs in European competition, with three draws and two defeats in that run.
Haaland’s unstoppable form
It is no secret that Erling Haaland is one of the best strikers in world football. The Norwegian forward is always a threat, but even more so when he is in deadly form in front of goal.
Manchester City’s No.9 has scored in eleven consecutive matches, a remarkable record that Marcelino’s side will attempt to stop through defensive discipline, intensity and collective effort. A huge challenge awaits the ever-competitive Yellow Submarine.
