Manchester Metropolis return to European motion on Tuesday in opposition to Villarreal, with a visit to La Ceramica in retailer for Pep Guardiola’s facet. The latter can be eager to get again on observe after a shocking late draw in opposition to AS Monaco, with the Yellow Submarine a considerably apparent potential banana pores and skin.
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Villarreal are but to choose up their first win within the Champions League, however have proven their skill to compete early on. Solely a Luiz Junior error in objective separated them from some extent away to Tottenham Hotspur, in a fair recreation, whereas Villarreal themselves acquired a late equaliser in opposition to Juventus in Matchday 2, with Renato Veiga making it 2-2 within the ninetieth minute.
Villarreal-Manchester Metropolis Head-to-Head
The 2 sides have met simply twice earlier than, with each solely turning into main components in Europe within the twenty first century. These conferences got here again in 2011, when Metropolis managed two wins over Villarreal, with the primary coming at Eastlands. Cani gave Villarreal an early lead, and an personal objective from Carlos Marchena levelled issues, with solely a Sergio Aguero winner within the 93rd minute granting Roberto Mancini’s facet the win.
The return tie in Spain was considerably extra snug for Metropolis, with Mario Balotelli changing a penalty and Yaya Toure scoring a brace in a 3-0 win. Supervisor Marcelino Garcia Toral does have an affordable report in opposition to English opposition, going 2-1-3 in opposition to Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, however has by no means confronted Metropolis. Guardiola has met Villarreal eight occasions, all with Barcelona, successful 5 and drawing 3 times.
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The place to Purchase Tickets to Villarreal-Manchester Metropolis
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester Metropolis celebrates his workforce’s second objective scored by teammate Jeremy Doku (not pictured) through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Ryan Pierse/Getty Photos)
Followers travelling to the sport from England can undergo the to get tickets within the away finish, though these are tougher to return by as they will solely be obtained by membership members. These in Spain in the meantime can look to purchase tickets from , the place there are nonetheless a handful of tickets left. Nonetheless in case you are in search of a smoother shopper expertise or seats collectively, then chances are you’ll be higher off making an attempt , who nonetheless have lots left of Villareal’s conflict with Manchester Metropolis.
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What to Anticipate from Villarreal?
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 01: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus scores his workforce’s second objective through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD2 match between Villarreal CF and Juventus at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 01, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photograph by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Photos)
One of many type sides in La Liga this season, Villarreal sit third within the desk at the moment, and it’s totally truthful to treat them because the third-best workforce within the division after eight video games.
Marcelino’s facet have , an indication of simply how nicely they’re doing. Whereas they’ve but to hit the heights of their 5-0 win over Girona in August since, it has been removed from a straightforward run of fixtures for the Yellow Submarine both.
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Spending huge in the summertime on Renato Veiga and Georges Mikautadze, Villarreal have been a significant menace on the break this season, launching counters to pacy huge males, and sometimes taking part in with a goal man too.
The questions come at their backbone; can Villarreal defend sufficiently nicely with out the ball? That has been their weak point to date, with the defensive unit a younger one that’s nonetheless studying to play collectively. Equally, in midfield, the Pape Gueye and considered one of Santi Comesana, Thomas Partey or Dani Parejo have at occasions discovered themselves with an excessive amount of work to do in the midst of the pitch.