Villarreal CF approach their Champions League debut in a period of severe sporting difficulty, following a heavy defeat in La Liga. Iñigo Pérez's team travels to Dortmund to face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday with morale at a low point. The Yellow Submarine's start to the season is concerning, sitting 17th in the standings with just two points from four games, no wins, and a record of six goals scored and eight conceded.
How is Villarreal arriving for the Champions League?
Villarreal CF's situation is delicate. The team has failed to win any match in the current La Liga campaign and is on a negative run reflected in their recent form: LLDD. This results crisis was compounded by a heavy defeat to Deportivo, which exposed the team's defensive issues. Also, coach Iñigo Pérez faces the match at Signal Iduna Park without two key defensive pieces: Juan Foyth and Carlos Romero, both currently on the injuries list. Pérez himself acknowledged the gravity of the moment, stating: "El inicio de la era de Iñigo Pérez no está siendo satisfactorio."
What is the memory from the last duel with Dortmund?
The match venue evokes a recent bad memory for Villarreal fans. In the previous Champions League campaign, Villarreal CF suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at the same Signal Iduna Park against Borussia Dortmund. This precedent adds an extra layer of pressure to this week's encounter, where the German team will again be a formidable opponent. The match is scheduled for 21:00 and represents a baptism of fire for a squad urgently needing a result to change its dynamic.
How does their situation contrast with Betis's?
While Villarreal CF arrives at the Champions League with doubts, their next La Liga opponent, Real Betis, does so with renewed hope. The Seville-based team, which will face Lille also at 21:00, returns to the top continental competition after a 21-year absence. Betis arrives boosted by a victory over Real Madrid in La Liga, a result that starkly contrasts with Villarreal's defeat. Lille, managed by Davide Ancelotti, will feature players of the caliber of Ethan Mbappé and Olivier Giroud, promising a high-level duel in another group of the competition.
What comes next for Villarreal?
The schedule offers no respite for Villarreal CF. After the commitment in Dortmund, the team must immediately prepare for the fourth La Liga matchday. This weekend, Iñigo Pérez's side will host Real Betis at the Estadio de la Cerámica, an opponent currently fourth in the table. This match, scheduled for September 14, is already listed on our fixtures page as a important challenge to try and break the poor run and secure the first three points of the season. Trailing the leaders, Barcelona, by ten points, the need to react is absolute.
