A 1-0 loss against newly promoted Real Sociedad certainly wasn’t how Villarreal envisaged starting their Primera Division campaign, so the side who hail from El Madrigal will certainly want a more positive outcome when they face Espanyol, one of the big winners from week one of the season, on Sunday evening.
While the opening day loss is certainly being looked upon as a set-back in the ranks of the Yellow Submarine, it’s not been considered a catastrophe by either the players or coach Juan Carlos Garrido.
“It was an even match in which both teams had their chances,” the trainer told the media after the fixture. “The defeat only reinforces that we need to correct and improve. We have a good team that is capable of being competitive in the league.”
Striker Nilmar has already emphasised the need for a swift recovery this weekend, explaining: “It is always bad to start with a defeat, but that is solved by winning at home to Espanyol to engage a run of positive results.”
Garrido’s men were far stronger at home last season than they were on the road, and though they’ll be aiming to improve their away form over the course of the next 37 games, they won’t want to do it at the expense of their record at El Madrigal, where the Yellow Submarine only suffered defeat in the league three times last term.
Push On
A seemingly permanent fixture to the middle of the Primera Division table, Mauricio Pochettino’s Espanyol are this season attempting to make strides into the top ten. After impressing at the Cornella-El Prat last term, the Barcelona club’s form at home cannot be questioned, yet they were dire on their travels, acquiring for themselves only 11 points on the road.
On the opening day of the season Espanyol opened up with an impressive success against Getafe, inevitably at home. Coach Pochettino would have been pleased with the attacking incision of his side, something they found lacking at times last season, with the predatory Pablo Daniel Osvaldo registering twice and debutant Jesus Datolo also on the scoresheet.
Osvaldo’s importance to the side was underlined on transfer deadline day, when Espanyol pulled out all the stops to sign the striker for €5 million from Bologna, and it was evidently an effort that made the Italy Under-21 international pleased.
“I wanted to have peace of mind, knowing that I can spend many years here, although I already felt part of the group,” the 24-year-old explained to the media. “I appreciate the enormous efforts of the club and the president, especially in this difficult economic situation.”
With their cutting edge firmly in place, Espanyol, who were stuffy for much of last season but little more, can now start to focus on building a side capable of moving into the upper echelons of the table. Victory may be too much to ask at the weekend, but the Catalans will certainly be hoping to pick up a point. A repeat of last season’s 0-0 draw would be welcome.
TEAM NEWS
Villarreal
Juan Carlos Garrido has been tipped to play a 4-4-2 formation this weekend due to the side’s set-up in training. Nilmar is therefore likely to partner Giuseppe Rossi in attack.
The Yellow Submarine were active in the closing days of the transfer market, selling Bruno Renan to Shakhtar Donetsk but acquiring Danish attacker Nicki Bille Nielsen from Nordsjaelland as compensation.
Gonzalo Rodriguez has declared himself fit.
Probable Starting XI: Diego Lopez; Angel, Marchena, Rodriguez, Capdevila; Cazorla, Bruno, Senna, Valero; Rossi, Nilmar
Espanyol
There has been good news this week for Espanyol as it has been revealed that Ivan de la Pena is close to returning to action and could even be involved in the squad to travel to Villarreal at the weekend.
Felipe Mattioni is expected to be absent for around six months after injuring knee ligaments.
Former Sevilla midfielder Aldo Duscher could debut after signing on the eve of deadline day.
Probable Starting XI: Alvarez; Chica, V. Ruiz, Galan, Garcia; Forlin, Verdu, Marquez; Luis Garcia, Osvaldo, Callejon
Prediction
Villarreal haven’t started the season in an auspicious manner, yet they are probably good enough to pick up three points in this encounter. The Yellow Submarine failed to break down Espanyol at home last term, so a close match should be anticipated, and a breakaway goal for the visitors should not be discounted either. With little between the sides, small moments could make a big difference, but the advantage is with the hosts.
Villarreal 1-0 Espanyol 
