Villarreal achieved a significant 2-1 victory against Athletic Club at San Mames, marking their first league double over the Basque side since the 2010/11 season. This win solidifies Villarreal’s position in La Liga, where they currently sit in third place, all but guaranteeing them a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The match saw notable performances, including Sergi Cardona, who scored his first goal since August 2024, and Alfon Gonzalez, who netted his first goal since joining on loan from Sevilla in January. Gorka Guruzeta also made headlines by scoring his 14th goal of the season across all competitions.
Despite the victory, Villarreal’s defensive struggles continue, as they have not kept a clean sheet in their last 15 La Liga games. This ongoing issue was highlighted when Nicolas Pepe thought he had restored a two-goal lead, only for his late strike to be ruled out by VAR due to an offside in the build-up.
Tani Oluwaseyi contributed significantly to the match with his second assist and ninth goal contribution of the campaign, showcasing his importance to the team’s attacking play. However, Villarreal has only won two of their past eight La Liga away games, raising questions about their consistency on the road.
Marcelino Garcia Toral, who returned as manager in 2023, has seen an upturn in fortunes for the club, but his future is uncertain as his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. Reports indicate that Villarreal officials are not inclined to extend his contract beyond a year, leading to speculation about his potential departure.
Villarreal’s next match is scheduled against Real Oviedo on April 23, where they will look to build on their recent success and maintain their strong position in the league. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team navigates the challenges ahead.