Villarreal CF is bracing for a highly demanding 2026-27 Champions League group stage following a troubled start to their LaLiga EA Sports campaign. The team managed by Íñigo Pérez must urgently improve its performances to compete in Europe. The Yellow Submarine currently sits 16th in the domestic standings, with just two points from four games, a record of zero wins, two draws, and two losses, and a goal difference of -2 (6 scored, 8 conceded).
What does the Champions League group look like?
The draw has been unforgiving for Villarreal CF. The team will face some of the continent's giants in the group phase. Their first away match will be against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Their home opener at La Cerámica will be against Napoli. The schedule also includes a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, who previously worked under Íñigo Pérez. To cap it off, the Spanish side will host the defending champion, Paris Saint-Germain, and close the first stage against Manchester United.
The group is completed with matches against Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, Azerbaijani debutants Sabah, and a visit to Turkey to play Fenerbahçe, which features stars like Vedat Muriqi, Romelu Lukaku, and Mason Greenwood. It's a far tougher landscape than last season, where Villarreal finished second-bottom in their group with just one point, only ahead of Kazakhstan's Kairat.
What did coach Íñigo Pérez say?
The manager acknowledged the scale of the challenge. "El Villarreal CF repetirá por segunda año consecutivo presencia en la fase de liga de la Liga de Campeones 2026-2027, una liguilla muy exigente, sobre todo en su inicio, y con rivales potentes que le exigirán un gran nivel para mejorar al menos sus pobres prestaciones del año pasado y pelear por estar entre los 24 mejores," said Pérez. The coach, who succeeded Marcelino García Toral, knows the key is to quickly find better collective form.
What is the context in LaLiga?
The season's start could hardly be more adverse. Villarreal CF is still waiting for its first win after the initial four matches of the domestic competition. This situation leaves them ten points behind the leader, Barcelona, a significant gap in these early stages. Also, the team must cope with the absence of defender Juan Foyth, listed on the injuries page, which reduces options at the back. The next chance to turn things around comes on September 14, with a tough fixture at La Cerámica against Real Betis, who currently sit fourth in the standings.
What is expected from the team this campaign?
The mission is clear: reverse the negative trend both in Europe and at home. Last season's Champions League experience was disappointing, and the team cannot afford another minor role. The squad must prove it can compete with the best, starting with the difficult opener against Borussia Dortmund. Defensive consistency will be vital, especially considering the eight goals conceded in La Liga. Fans can follow the team's progress and check all squad data on our stats page. The first concrete step is the league match against Betis, a key fixture before the European debut.
