Can Villarreal Last The Pace At The Top Of La Liga?

Every season we ask ourselves the same question: Can anyone other than Barcelona and Real Madrid really win La Liga? At the moment the answer is probably not, but we can always hang on to a glimmer of hope, a team that has the potential to break the monotonous duopoly that reigns supreme in Spain. This year that glimmer of hope would appear to be yellow and it comes in the shape of Villarreal CF.

An unfashionable club from a small village of just over 50,000 people close to Valencia, Villarreal is a team that historically has been consigned to the depths of lower league football in Spain, a trend that was forever changed when they made the giant leap up to La Primera in 1998 backed by the millions of supermarket mogel, Fernando Roig. Even though they got relegated after their debut season in the top flight, the Yellow Submarine got a taste for the big time and made an immediate return. The club hasn’t looked back since. Coming within a whisker of the Champions League final in 2005/2006 and a second place finish in La Liga in 2007/2008 they have a newfound pedigree. Yet the question remains: Do Villarreal have what it takes to break the Barca-Madrid stanglehold?

Looking at their starting XI I would have to say....almost. The team is strong; a nice blend of youth and experience, flair and brawn. Ex-Real Madrid shotstopper, Diego Lopez, is an excellent keeper. Both tall and commanding he was a long time understudy to Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina in the Spanish national side and provides a wealth of experience. The backline was weakened during the summer when classy centre-back Diego Godín made his move to Atletico Madrid, but they can still boast World Cup winners Joan Capdevila and Carlos Marchena alongside the dependable Ángel and Gonzalo and the promising Argentinian, Mateo Musacchio. Many regard this area as where they fall behind their two illustrious rivals, but one look at the table suggests otherwise. Seven goals condeded against five by Real Madrid and six by Barcelona prove they can defend like champions.

Just ahead of the back four is Bruno Soriano, a midfield enforcer who is beginning to make a name for himself having just been selected for the Spain squad in the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers. Perhaps taking over the mantle left by club legend Juan Roman Riquelme, Bruno shields his defence admirably while also providing a more than useful outlet when they regain possession. Elsewhere in the middle, Villarreal represent a style of play associated with the Arsenals and Barcelonas of this world. Small, skillful players who are comfortable in possession, capable of passing teams into submission. Santi Cazorlas return from long-term injury has injected extra pace and trickery, while the purchase of Borja Valero, who roams at the tip of a 4-4-2 diamond, has added extra ingenuity behind the front two.

Strikers Guiseppe Rossi and Nilmar have been a revelation this season, having already scored 11 goals between them. Before Cristiano Ronaldo went on his goalscoring rampage, the two strikers were the hottest properties in La Liga and the two are a dependable source of ammunition. Record signing Nilmar struggled during his first season in Spain, but has hit the ground running in 2010/2011, even being linked with an unlikely January move to Real Madrid. Guiseppe Rossi has had more time to adapt since his move from Manchester United in 2007, and much of Villarreals success will depend on the dimunitive striker. Nilmar is not an out-and-out striker so Rossi will need to play in a more unfamiliar advanced role, a ‘fox in the box’. It’s certainly a role Villarreal are lacking in, although the little guy has done a sterling job so far.

So, where do Villarreals other limitations lie? Firstly, they need the midfield to contribute more goals. Cani, Senna, Cazorla and Valero are technically superb players, but they rarely get on the scoresheet. Only six goals have come outside of the Nilmar-Rossi partnership this season so if they are to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid, these players need to step up to the goalscoring plate. The squad lacks strength in depth, limiting manager Juan Carlos Garridos options if things get complicated. There is no natural width which restricts Garrido to his 4-4-2 diamond, depriving the manager of a plan B. And whereas Real Madrid and Barcelona have players like Bojan, Javier Mascherano, Adriano, Raúl Albiol, Karim Benzema and Pedro Leon to call on, Villarreal have Marcos Ruben, Jefferson Montero and Javier Matilla. Promising youngsters but lacking in the big match experience so important when looking to unlock (or protect) tight matches late in the day.

Finally, Villarreal really need to improve their form away from El Madrigal. At home it has been four wins from four, but on the road they have dropped points at Hercules, Real Sociedad and Sporting Gijón. If you want to sustain a challenge for the league, these are fixtures that they really need to be winning. While I am inclined to suggest that Villarreal don’t quite have what it takes to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid, the next few weeks will provide us with further clues. Ties against Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona (Camp Nou) and Valencia await. Anything less than six points from that lot and they can kiss goodbye to their Liga challenge and focus on the more attainable target of Champions League qualification.