|
|
CL Comment: Champions League Still A Step Too Far For Villarreal
Goal.com assesses the performance of Villarreal amidst their Champions League exit, and discusses the impact it may have on their current season and beyond...
16-Apr-2009 7:30:24 PM
Villarreal’s impressive Champions League campaign came to an abrupt end at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, as rampant Arsenal ruthlessly dispatched the under-strength and off-form Spaniards 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals.
Robin van Persie rifled home the clinical third from the penalty spot, a goal that gave the Gunners an unassailable 4-1 aggregate lead and left El Submarino Amarillo's second ever Champions League adventure disintegrating before their eyes. This team finished above Barcelona in the Primera Division last season, but were made to look distinctly average by a side markedly off the pace in their own domestic league. But has this result simply highlighted that Villarreal are simply not the team they once were?
Amateur Defending
Even the most stringent supporter of the Spanish side would admit that Arsenal completely outclassed them in London on Wednesday evening in every department.
Out wide, Joan Capdevila, who is a Euro 2008 winner with Spain, was given one of the most difficult matches of his career as Theo Walcott systematically tore through Villarreal's left side with ruthless efficiency. He dribbled, he sprinted, he crossed, he darted, and he was given the freedom of the pitch as no-one could get near him.
In the centre, Gonzalo is usually a dependable figure who has forged a decent partnership with Diego Godin this season, but he looked completely out of his depth contesting challenges with a top class striker such as Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international bested him at El Madrigal in the first leg, and here the Argentine defender stepped up hopelessly out of sync with the rest of his defence for the second goal, leaving 'Ade' time and space to slot the ball home. It summed up his evening. He may have just recently returned from injury, but his performance was slack, insecure, and fragile.
Lack Of Options
In midfield, the technically astute Manuel Pellegrini got his tactics horribly wrong by operating with five across instead of his tried-and-tested 4-4-2. Yes, Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna’s omission through injury was critical, but a Champions League-contesting side should have the resources to cope with such a crisis and replacements Bruno, Mati Fernandez and even to an extent Robert Pires highlighted the slender nature of Pellegrini’s squad. He may have felt operating with a solitary forward and packing the centre would negate the purposeful elements of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, but with such below-par players deployed against them, surely he would have been served better by Joseba Llorente or Nihat in attack?
Blunt In Attack
In offence, Giuseppe Rossi has so often grabbed vital goals this season, making the difference in tight matches with his instinctive ability to find space and finish off clinically. But against Kolo Toure and Mikael Silvestre he was hopelessly outnumbered, frustrated, and barely able to make an impact on proceedings. The Italian is a better player than his display suggested, but the lack of inspiration from his team-mates will have him pining for pastures new, a club where he can progress his career. The former Manchester United man could well move on this summer.
Looking beyond this result, Villarreal fought long and hard to keep their prize assets last summer, but with the potential loss of Champions League football this season, it will be increasingly difficult to retain their services for another season. It could lead to the squad being dramatically restructured in the summer months.
Punching Above Their Weight
For a provincial club such as Villarreal, a city with just 50,000 inhabitants, to even be gracing the pitch along with a club with the history of Arsenal represents what dreams are made of, but for the last five years, they defied the odds to become a force to be reckoned with, both domestically in Europe. The way the club is structured, both in terms of playing staff and their financial prudency, has made them the model organisation, but perhaps one that has been playing at a level beyond what they are realistically capable of.
Coach Pellegrini has made a habit of rebuilding teams, but this summer, his signings have missed the mark, and his side are starting to suffer for it as the season progresses. Striker Jozy Altidore was an expensive purchase (€7.5 million), but has been loaned out to Xerez to gain experience. Ariel Ibagaza hasn’t played enough matches, while Edmilson looked to be considerably past his best. Only Joseba Llorente can be deemed as a positive purchase, and he hasn’t netted since his ankle injury in December.
Valencia have chased them down and surpassed them in the bid to secure fourth place and the chance to join Europe’s elite again next season. Their season looks to be slowly running out of steam, but the question remains whether this result represents a watermark for Villarreal, or if they can storm back to become an even stronger force in the next campaign.
Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
Robin van Persie rifled home the clinical third from the penalty spot, a goal that gave the Gunners an unassailable 4-1 aggregate lead and left El Submarino Amarillo's second ever Champions League adventure disintegrating before their eyes. This team finished above Barcelona in the Primera Division last season, but were made to look distinctly average by a side markedly off the pace in their own domestic league. But has this result simply highlighted that Villarreal are simply not the team they once were?
Amateur Defending
Even the most stringent supporter of the Spanish side would admit that Arsenal completely outclassed them in London on Wednesday evening in every department.
Out wide, Joan Capdevila, who is a Euro 2008 winner with Spain, was given one of the most difficult matches of his career as Theo Walcott systematically tore through Villarreal's left side with ruthless efficiency. He dribbled, he sprinted, he crossed, he darted, and he was given the freedom of the pitch as no-one could get near him.
In the centre, Gonzalo is usually a dependable figure who has forged a decent partnership with Diego Godin this season, but he looked completely out of his depth contesting challenges with a top class striker such as Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international bested him at El Madrigal in the first leg, and here the Argentine defender stepped up hopelessly out of sync with the rest of his defence for the second goal, leaving 'Ade' time and space to slot the ball home. It summed up his evening. He may have just recently returned from injury, but his performance was slack, insecure, and fragile.
Lack Of Options
In midfield, the technically astute Manuel Pellegrini got his tactics horribly wrong by operating with five across instead of his tried-and-tested 4-4-2. Yes, Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna’s omission through injury was critical, but a Champions League-contesting side should have the resources to cope with such a crisis and replacements Bruno, Mati Fernandez and even to an extent Robert Pires highlighted the slender nature of Pellegrini’s squad. He may have felt operating with a solitary forward and packing the centre would negate the purposeful elements of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, but with such below-par players deployed against them, surely he would have been served better by Joseba Llorente or Nihat in attack?
Blunt In Attack
In offence, Giuseppe Rossi has so often grabbed vital goals this season, making the difference in tight matches with his instinctive ability to find space and finish off clinically. But against Kolo Toure and Mikael Silvestre he was hopelessly outnumbered, frustrated, and barely able to make an impact on proceedings. The Italian is a better player than his display suggested, but the lack of inspiration from his team-mates will have him pining for pastures new, a club where he can progress his career. The former Manchester United man could well move on this summer.
Looking beyond this result, Villarreal fought long and hard to keep their prize assets last summer, but with the potential loss of Champions League football this season, it will be increasingly difficult to retain their services for another season. It could lead to the squad being dramatically restructured in the summer months.
Punching Above Their Weight
For a provincial club such as Villarreal, a city with just 50,000 inhabitants, to even be gracing the pitch along with a club with the history of Arsenal represents what dreams are made of, but for the last five years, they defied the odds to become a force to be reckoned with, both domestically in Europe. The way the club is structured, both in terms of playing staff and their financial prudency, has made them the model organisation, but perhaps one that has been playing at a level beyond what they are realistically capable of.
Coach Pellegrini has made a habit of rebuilding teams, but this summer, his signings have missed the mark, and his side are starting to suffer for it as the season progresses. Striker Jozy Altidore was an expensive purchase (€7.5 million), but has been loaned out to Xerez to gain experience. Ariel Ibagaza hasn’t played enough matches, while Edmilson looked to be considerably past his best. Only Joseba Llorente can be deemed as a positive purchase, and he hasn’t netted since his ankle injury in December.
Valencia have chased them down and surpassed them in the bid to secure fourth place and the chance to join Europe’s elite again next season. Their season looks to be slowly running out of steam, but the question remains whether this result represents a watermark for Villarreal, or if they can storm back to become an even stronger force in the next campaign.
Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Iniesta still making the difference for Spain
The ethereal midfielder remains Vicente del Bosque's most consistent performer as La Roja set out to retain their European crown in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has the fewest combined caps among them?
Which is the least experienced team in Euro 2012? Time to test your knowledge, mate
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour