Juventus and Bayern Munich learned the hard way that Villarreal, despite its modest reputation, is no pushover even in Europe바카라s elite competition. ()
Now the club from a small town of 50,000 inhabitants in eastern Spain must get past one more giant standing in the way of a dream appearance in its first Champions League final.
Liverpool hosts Villarreal on Wednesday at the always intimidating Anfield. Villarreal will hope to reproduce the upsets that it pulled off against Juventus in the round-of-16 and Bayern in the quarterfinals, or at least avoid a definitive defeat, before it hosts the return leg next week.
바카라They are the favorites, but we have our strengths that will allow us to compete,바카라 Unai Emery, whose strength as a coach is strategizing for knockout competition, said on Tuesday.
바카라We are here because we have our credentials after having gotten through the previous rounds against important rivals. The challenge is even greater now after Juventus and Bayern Munich, and we have to work hard to play our best both collectively and individually.바카라
Relatively unknown among casual soccer fans outside Spain, Villarreal has for years established a reputation for being one of the best-run Spanish clubs. Regardless of the coach or the squad members, the team known domestically as 바카라The Yellow Submarine바카라 for its bright banana-colored uniforms, continually produces attractive, attack-first teams, which like to have the ball.
Owner Fernando Roig, a billionaire businessman who owns a local ceramics company and a share of a highly successful supermarket chain, is credited with having built and maintained a stable club with a great eye for bringing in talented players without breaking the budget.
Villarreal reached its only other Champions League semifinals in 2009 and finished the Spanish league in second place in 2008 under Manuel Pellegrini. But it reached its top glory last season when Emery steered it to the Europa League title, its first major trophy in club history, after beating Manchester United on penalties in the final.
That was Emery바카라s fourth Europa League title as a coach, after winning Europe바카라s second-tier tournament three times with Sevilla. But eliminating Juventus and Bayern back-to-back is arguably his greatest achievement, and comes as he rebuilds his reputation at Villarreal following a tough time at Arsenal.
바카라(Emery) is a detail-obsessed manager,바카라 his Liverpool counterpart, Jurgen Klopp, said on Tuesday. 바카라Different ways to press and react to different results. A world-class coach doing an incredible job.바카라
Villarreal has lost only once in its entire Champions League campaign this season, a 2-0 defeat to United in the group phase. Otherwise, it has overachieved. Its 3-0 victory at Juventus last month was one its fans will relish for years.
바카라We바카라re looking forward to a game against an opponent in great shape,바카라 Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo said Tuesday. 바카라We바카라re going there with all the confidence in the world, we are strong together. We made history last year by winning the (Europa League) and we are making history this year too, and that바카라s no coincidence. It is having confidence in a project that has been in place for years.바카라
Villarreal will arrive to the game after eight days of rest, compared to Liverpool바카라s three. And while Liverpool is also fighting for the Premier League title, Villarreal is focused on its historic chance in Europe while sitting seventh in Spain.
바카라There might have been a little advantage in their last two games 바카라 maybe Juve or Bayern underestimated them,바카라 Klopp said of Villarreal. 바카라But that will never happen to us.바카라
The backbone of Villarreal is formed by Parejo, Spain striker Gerard Moreno, and centerback pair Raúl Albiol and Pau Torres.
But Villarreal has also given second chances to players who didn바카라t make it in England. Midfielders Giovani Lo Celso and Etienne Capoue and right back Juan Foyth have found in Villarreal a place to finally shine after frustrating stints at Tottenham.
Emery바카라s main dilemma before kickoff is the readiness of Gerard. The Spain striker injured his right leg two weeks ago after scoring and setting up a goal in a 2-1 win over Getafe.
If Gerard is not available, the scoring burden will fall to Arnaut Danjuma, who a season after playing in England바카라s second-tier with Bournemouth now leads Villarreal with 16 goals across all competitions. Samuel Chukwueze is one of la Liga바카라s top dribblers and the winger arrives on a high after his late goal in Munich ousted the Bundesliga powerhouse.
Liverpool바카라s only absentee is striker Roberto Firmino, who is still hampered by a foot injury.
