Villarreal on the Rise: On Track for Best La Liga Finishing Position in Over a Decade
If you had to use just one word to describe Villarreal, it would be inconspicuous. The team originates from a small city of the same name, home to a thriving ceramics industry and approximately 53,000 people, which in American terms is a midsize city not unlike Binghamton or Niagara Falls in NY. It is impressive, then, that a city of such size has produced the soccer team that is now placed third in the La Liga table. The Spanish soccer league is a monster in its own right, home to some of the best players and club teams on the planet. Villarreal, nicknamed the ‘Yellow Submarine’ for its uncanny skill to climb the standings unnoticed, might be having their best season yet. Witnessing a team of this size placed behind Real Madrid and Barcelona is a rare occurrence, and might mean that things are starting to change in La Liga.
With 51 points, three ahead of Atletico Madrid, Villarreal sits third on the La Liga table standings. A 1-0 victory against Levante this Wednesday consolidated the team’s position on the podium, a position they had not enjoyed since 2013, when they finished second. It has certainly been a season to remember; 13 victories, five losses, and three ties, positioning the team 11 points behind the leader, Barcelona, and 10 points behind number two on the list, Real Madrid. However, Villarreal's success was not an overnight accomplishment; the Yellow Submarine had tasted victory before, just last season when they beat Barcelona 3-2 at Camp Nou, a game that ultimately gave them the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League. The position Villarreal holds as of now is the fruit of several seasons of victories, defeats, and different managers.
Villarreal’s current coach, Marcelino Garcia Toral, was fired by Villarreal 10 years ago after the team had qualified for a UEFA Semifinal. Before that, Marcelino had a successful run with Spanish second division teams, managing to promote Recreativo de Huelva to the second tier and a UEFA qualification for Club Santander. His skills did not go to waste with Villarreal, but ultimately, differences with the administrative board resulted in his dismissal. While away from the Submarine, Marcelino won the Copa del Rey with Valencia and tried his hand in Ligue 1. During his absence, Villarreal was managed by four different coaches, amongst them Unai Emery, but none quite achieved what Marcelino had. Villarreal has experienced a steady improvement since Marcelino signed a three-year contract in 2023. It wouldn’t be unfair to say to give the man some credit for the team’s current position.
La Liga has only ever been won twice by teams other than Barcelona and Real Madrid. In 2021, Atletico won, and in 2004, Valencia did. The rise of Villarreal, alongside other smaller teams such as Real Betis promise a more unpredictable and entertaining league for the fans. Manuel Pellegrini, who now coaches Real Betis, managed Villarreal more than 15 years ago, a season the team finished second on the table. As Villarreal prepares itself to face Barcelona next Saturday, La Liga fans can rejoice in a more thrilling league, which might bring more unexpected victories.
