Europa League scouting report: Villarreal no strangers to knockout nights

El Submarino Amarillo are certainly no strangers to high-pressure nights in European competition. In the decade since they reached the semi-finals of the 2005-06 Champions League, the Spanish side have embarked on seven continental campaigns – escaping the group stage every time.

Since their Champions League last-four appearance – a remarkable achievement from then-manager Manuel Pellegrini and his side – Villarreal have twice reached the semis of the Europa League, including last season when they were edged out by Liverpool.

They certainly have European pedigree, then, but in what shape do they enter this week’s tie with the Giallorossi?

THE SEASON SO FAR…

During the first few months of the season, Villarreal were undefeated in nine league games as Fran Escriba took on the big job of replacing Marcelino Garcia Toral, who resigned in somewhat shocking circumstances on the eve of the new season.

After failing to beat Monaco in the Champions League qualification match – a disappointment Roma also had to contend with - the Spanish side finished second in the Europa League's Group L, losing only one of their six games.

However, Villarreal haven’t been quite the same in the second half of the season so far, and have won only once since the start of 2017. Following their recent slump, the likes of Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid have leapfrogged them in the domestic league table. Although the hunt for the Champions League spot is not over, they currently sit in sixth position and are five points behind fourth place – meaning there is plenty of work to do.

Putting the negatives to one side, Escriba’s side have conceded the fewest goals (15) in the league, as a lot of opponents have found it very difficult to break them down. They may not be the richest club in Spain but their rise against the odds, becoming sustained challengers to Spanish football’s biggest sides, has garnered them great respect and admiration throughout the peninsula.

Finally, after being hit with an injury crisis, both Roberto Soldado and Mateo Musacchio have returned to training and could be available for the fixture on Thursday. With Alexandre Pato leaving the club at the end of January, Villarreal have been missing a clinical striker and will be delighted to have Soldado back on the pitch very soon.

Under Marcelino, Villarreal finished in the top six for three consecutive years – showing incremental improvement season-on-season. When he was appointed a lot of La Liga pundits were surprised, not considering him to be an obvious fit for the job, yet he arrived with an instant impact and brought in fantastic ideas that has arguably changed the club for the better.

Escriba, too, has come in despite question marks and avoided a serious drop in performance – perhaps a testament to the work that goes on beyond the scenes. Although Villarreal have been known for scouting players from a young age and their capability to work well with a limited budget, Marcelino did the rest as his tactical knowledge got the best out of his team.

He brought the perfect balance and successfully formed a solid low-block which has helped Villarreal to be known as one of the best defensive teams in the league, not far off from Atletico Madrid.

Despite Marcelino’s problems with the club’s hierarchy regarding to signings last summer, which led to him departing, Escriba has continued to use those foundations, while his side have proved to be more deadly going forward as a few attackers were brought into Estadio de la Ceramica during the transfer window.

Marcelino’s time with the Spanish side will always be seen as a successful one and now, Escriba has the opportunity to take the club to the next level.

THE MAIN STRENGTHS

Villarreal’s main strengths lie in their teamwork as a unit on both sides of the pitch. They are very careful when it comes to limiting the opposition to have little room to work within their half, and then pounce on them on the counter attack. Comparing them to all the teams in Europe, only a few sides are better at what Villarreal do best, which is to make an unbreakable barrier in front of goal.

One of the players enjoying a good season at a personal level is Nicola Sansone (seven goals and three assists in the league), who will be looking forward to prove a couple of points to the club that reportedly had the opportunity to sign him two years ago.

Meanwhile, midfielder Manu Trigueros has produced more key passes (31) than other player in the squad, having the ability to pick out a defence-splitting pass in a matter of seconds.

THE WEAKNESSES TO EXPLOIT

In the final third of the pitch, Villarreal have not done enough to create a lot of chances for themselves, as the likes of Sansone and Trigueros receive the opportunity to complete only one or two shots on target per game. There are a lot of positives when it comes to the side’s stability in their own half, but one cannot overlook at how it affects their drive to go forward.

Another concerning problem is the poor form of another Italian attacker, Roberto Soriano, who has struggled to perform at his best on a weekly basis and has failed to give his side another dimension in attack, which he had shown at the start of the season.

Also, Samu Castillejo – touted as one of the best young Spanish talents around only last season - will have to quickly get back into his mojo if Villarreal stand a chance of making their attempts on goal count.

THE WAY THEY WILL LOOK TO PLAY

Escriba will most likely use the 4-4-2 system, using Sansone and Adrian Lopez as the forwards with Soriano and either Jonathan dos Santos or Castillejo playing out on the flanks, even though he’s reluctantly tried to use the former Sassuolo player as the lone forward on a few occasions this season.

Trigueros and captain Bruno Soriano will play at the heart of midfield, as the full-backs will be in for a busy game from doing their own duties to helping their side in attack. Villarreal tend to be effective on and off the ball, but are especially dangerous on the counter, when Castillejo’s quick burst of pace comes into action.

With the first leg at home there might be a certain pressure to attack but, with away goals so crucial at this stage in the competition, Escriba will perhaps decide that it is not worth upsetting the club’s solid defence in pursuit of greater attacking threat.

THE STAR MAN

It’s not easy to name a specific individual since Villarreal are known predominatedly for their teamwork, but Bruno Soriano (no relation to Roberto) and his work ethic stands out the most.

The 32-year-old has been playing for the Yellow Submarines all his life, and is regarded as an influential and monumental player on and off the pitch. He may not get the goals and assists to show important he is, but the maestro was the key reason behind Villarreal’s brilliance in the previous campaign.

THE POSSIBLE LINE-UP

Escriba is likely to favour a structured, hard-working 4-4-2 system, with the likes of Castillejo and Cedric Bakambu offering a different attacking threat and heightened unpredictability off the bench.