Villarreal CF is still searching for its first LaLiga EA Sports win after drawing 1-1 with RC Deportivo at the Cerámica. Iñigo Pérez's team sits 16th with just two points, seven behind leaders Barcelona, and now looks ahead to the upcoming visit of Real Betis and its Champions League debut against Borussia Dortmund.
What is Villarreal's league position after matchday 4?
The fourth round of LaLiga started with Real Madrid visiting Betis. Villarreal, one of Spain's five representatives in the upcoming Champions League, hosted Deportivo in a match highlighted as crucial for the Galician side. The game ended in a draw, leaving the Yellow Submarine as one of the seven teams yet to win this campaign. The team managed by Antonio Hidalgo arrived at the Cerámica in eighth place with five points. Villarreal, for its part, has two points from four games, with a record of six goals scored and eight conceded. The next home fixture is on September 14 against Real Betis, currently third in the table, according to the club's verified data. Fans can follow the progress in the standings.
What is the latest on Julián Álvarez and Arsenal?
Argentine striker Julián Álvarez has opened the door to a move to Arsenal. According to the information, the Atlético de Madrid player realized his option to join Barcelona this summer had faded. The turning point came after the match against Villarreal at the Metropolitano. David Medina wrote that "on Monday, after what happened at the Metropolitano, Julián realized, perhaps for the first time, that his only option to leave is to join Arsenal." The 26-year-old forward missed an Atlético training session, with the club citing a sudden illness. This situation unfolds as Villarreal, a future domestic competitor for Atlético, struggles to find its rhythm this season.
Why was Bil Nsongo forced off the pitch for a minute?
Deportivo forward Bil Nsongo had to leave the pitch for a minute during the match against Villarreal. It happened in the 5th minute after a stamp from Renato Veiga. Referee Gil Manzano applied the new IFAB protocol for off-field medical treatment. IFAB's Rule 5 stipulates that a player who receives medical attention, or whose injury causes play to be stopped, must leave and remain off for one minute after play resumes. The aim, according to the body, is to reduce interruptions and allow proper assessment. In this instance, although there was no medical intervention, the stoppage for the player's injury triggered the procedure.
How is Dortmund preparing for the Champions League?
Borussia Dortmund came back in the Bundesliga just before hosting Villarreal in the Champions League. Nico Kovac's team won 2-3 against Hoffenheim after trailing 2-0, with an own goal in the 88th minute. This victory keeps Dortmund with a perfect record in the German league. The Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal CF is scheduled for next Tuesday. The German side showed its attacking power to turn around a difficult scoreline, a warning for the Yellow Submarine. Villarreal will travel to Germany with the confirmed absence of Juan Foyth, according to the club's injuries list, and will need to improve its defensive performance after conceding eight goals in four league games.
What does the licensable match photo show?
A licensable image from Reuters Connect, via NurPhoto, captured a reaction from Deportivo defender José María Giménez during the match at the Cerámica. The photograph, taken by David Aliaga, documents the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match that ended 1-1. These images form part of the visual archive of the season. Villarreal CF now turns its focus to preparing for a key duel against Real Betis on September 14. Details of the next match and the full schedule are available on the fixtures page.
