Qualification for the Champions league, Semi-final of a major European competition, and three weeks at the top of the league for the first time in the club’s history. This has been a momentous season for Villarreal.
The small club from the town of Vila-Real punched above its weight for the entirety of the 2015/16 season, and for that they can be proud.
The Story
The Yellow Submarine began the season as one of a handful of clubs vying for that all important fourth place. While the likes of Sevilla, Celta Vigo and Athletic Bilbao all challenged the Valencian side it was their consistency that took them into Europe’s Premier Cup Competition.
The club had many highs throughout the season, including wins over both Madrid clubs and a league double over biggest rivals Valencia, as well as a sustained push for the Europa League in which they fell in the last four.
Marcelino’s team was built on defensive solidity and blistering counter attacking. Conceding only 35 goals over the season gave them the fourth best defensive record in the league, and the speed with which they could switch between defence and attack made them one of La Liga’s most captivating teams to watch.
Key Player
With notable mentions to top scorer Cedric Bakambu and tireless captain Bruno Soriano Villarreal’s real MVP was Denis Suarez.
The young journeyman, who only joined at the beginning of the season, was the catalyst of everything good the Yellow Submarine did going forward and was key to taking them into the Champions League. His array of passing and intelligent movement showed a player growing into his potential and one that could carry a team on his back.
The left winger grew into the side after an auspicious start but once he began to get going he was Marcelino’s first name on the team sheet.
The Manager
Marcelino has worked wonders in his three years at Villarreal and this season will sit at the top of his CV. From mid table in the Segunda when he took over he has built his team on a rigid 4-4-2 where defence rules over attack but where intelligent forwards can flourish.
His reinvention of Roberto Soldado from a goal poacher to an assist machine and the emergence of Suarez, Bakambu and Alphonse Areola as potential world class players show his tactical acumen.
He learnt from last season’s mistakes when Villarreal were unable to mount an assault on several fronts and used his squad in a way in which they could surpass this season’s original aims.
Off-Season Recruitment
Rumours suggest that Suarez is bound for Barcelona with the Catalan’s invoking their buy-back clause on the talented 22-year-old but if Villarreal can avoid losing too many of this squad they will be in good shape for next season.
The losses of Suarez and Areola, who will return to PSG following the end of his loan, will impact the team but if suitable replacements are found Marcelino’s side have the ability to improve on this season.
Bolstering in all areas will be needed though. A second goal-threat to take the weight off Bakambu, an attacking, inventive midfielder to partner Bruno in the centre of midfield, and a winger to replace Suarez are musts.
A season to behold for fans of the Yellow Submarine – one of their best ever. While the team will be considered ‘the best of the rest’ in La Liga they never really threatened to topple the top three after the opening ten rounds.
Next season they will look to battle at the top of Europe and push toward the pinnacle of Spain and under the tutelage of Marcelino have the ability to do so.
Grade – A
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