Villarreal open their La Liga campaign on Sunday 23rd August on the road to Real Betis. With three weeks of preseason still remaining a lot could change, but for now Outside90’s Dave Blackmore will attempt to predict the starting XI that will take the field.
Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
Alternative: Mariano Barbosa
Signed on loan this season from PSG, the 22-year-old French youth international will be straight in between the posts. Alphonse Areola spent 2014-15 out at Bastia in Ligue 1, keeping 11 clean sheets in his 35 appearances. Due to the injury suffered at the end of the previous campaign to incumbent No.1 Sergio Asenjo, look for Areola to spend at least half the season as Marcelino’s preferred custodian.
Right-back: Mario Gaspar
Alternative: Antonio Rukavina
First choice for most of last season, Mario Gaspar appeared 34 times but will have Antonio Rukavina breathing down his neck. The 24-year-old Spanish youth international will hope to have another impressive season, as rumours of a move to Premier League giants Liverpool surround. However, Serbian international Rukavina will not want to be seated on the bench too much going into Euro 2016.
Central-defence: Victor Ruiz & Eric Bailly
Alternatives: Mateo Musacchio & Aleksander Pantic
Victor Ruiz impressed on loan from Valencia, so much so that Marcelino made his move permanent. Appearing 25 times for the Yellow Submarine last season, the Spaniard seems certain to be one of the first names on the team sheet. Partnering him in defence will be Ivory Coast international Bailly. Signed by the club in the January transfer window the 21-year-old is still raw, but will look at 2015-16 as a chance to breakout.
Left-back: Bojan Jokic
Alternative: Jaume Costa
Chances are Bojan Jokic and Jaume Costa will rotate through left-back throughout the season. Costa is a favourite of Marcelino, but will mainly be used in midfield unless a replacement is signed before the beginning of the season. Jokic, a Slovenian International, will be looking to improve on his seven starts over 2014-15.
Right-midfield: Samu Castillejo
Alternative: Jonathon Dos Santos
Signed from Malaga, Samu Castillejo has impressed in preseason. The Spanish youth international is still far from his peak, but will have plenty of opportunities to improve as one of Marcelino’s most important attacking weapons.
MORE: Villarreal’s two new ‘Sams’
Central-midfield: Bruno Soriano & Manu Trigueros
Alternatives: Tomas Pina & Javier Espinosa
Club captain Bruno will lead the team from the middle of the park and will be joined by fellow Spaniard Manu Trigueros. Bruno will begin his ninth campaign with the Yellow Submarine and despite his age, will be a staple in Marcelino’s midfield. The 31-year-old made 24 appearences last season, but spent three months on the sideline with a knee injury. His partner Triguerosmade 33 domestic appearances, and will look to continue those numbers this time around. Villarreal have ample back up in the middle of the park, with Pina and Espinosa waiting in the wings.
Left-midfield: Jaume Costa
Alternative: Samuel Garcia
Jaume Costa is likely to begin the season as first choice left mid. The Spaniard has been at the club since 2012, spending the two years prior with the reserve team, and is another favourite of Marcelino’s. His versatility is key to his game time, playing 30 times last season on the left-flank, either in the defence or midfield. His back up will likely be Samuel Garcia, signed from Malaga, although he has not seen preseason action due to injury.
Forwards: Gerard Moreno & Leo Baptistao
Alternative: Jonathan Pereira
Barring any big transfer window moves, Villarreal’s striking pair will be Gerard Moreno and Leo Baptistao. Moreno played on the fringes during 2014-15, sharing game time with Luciano Vietto, Uche and Giovanni Dos Santos, but with those names leaving the club, this season will need to be Moreno’s finest. His partner Baptistao comes to the club on loan from Atletico Madrid, the Brazilian spent last season at Rayo Vallecano and scored seven goals. He will be looking to improve on that tally and has shown great preseason form, finding the net against both Lyon and Derby.
Leo Baptistao Amazing Goal Lyon 0-2 Villarreal… by brilche
With over three weeks until the La Liga season begins, there are a number of key moves that could alter this setup. Rumours persist of Roberto Saldado coming to El Madrigal and that may spice things up, but barring and major shifts, look to this XI to be that which takes the field on August 23rd.
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