LA LIGA BY: FEARGAL BRENNAN
BIG FOUR
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
"UNAI EMERY STEERED THE YELLOW SUBMARINE TO THEIR FIRST EVER MAJOR TITLE LAST SEASON" THE GOOD With the bulk of pre-season attention centred around the ongoing civil war at Barcelona ahead of the 2021-22 season, Villarreal have quietly pulled off some good business this summer. Unai Emery steered the Yellow Submarine to their first ever major title at the back end of 2020-21, with a high-stakes penalty shootout win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May. The former Arsenal boss will now look to create a consistent challenge to Spain’s big three in the coming months of the season, as they aim to launch a potential Champions League qualification push. Emery has focused on solid recruitment to bolster his squad options, with Juan Foyth making his successful loan move from Tottenham into a permanent deal and veteran centre-back Aissa Mandi joining on a free transfer from Real Betis. Foyth and Mandi will add depth to Emery’s defence, with Boulaye Dia joining from Stade Reims after an eye-catching season in front of goal in Ligue 1. Alongside bringing in some new faces to the Estadio de la Ceramica, Emery’s two biggest signings have come from within the Villarreal squad. Star man Gerard Moreno has agreed a new long-term contract extension until 2027, despite growing interest from Barcelona after Euro 2020, and on the back of 23 La Liga goals in 2020-21. Emery has also convinced Pau Torres to stay on at El Madrigal. Manchester United and Tottenham were both interested in the Spanish international, but the prospect of Champions League football has proved to be key in retaining the 24-year-old.
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SOCCER360 SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2021
UPCOMING FIXTURES Dates & times subject to change.
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Athletic Bilbao Cadiz Espanyol FC Sevilla Getafe Granada Levante Osasuna Real Madrid Villarreal Alaves Atletico Madrid Celta Vigo Elche FC Barcelona Mallorca Rayo Vallecano Real Betis Real Sociedad Valencia Athletic Bilbao Cadiz Espanyol FC Sevilla Getafe Granada Levante Osasuna Real Madrid Villarreal Alaves Celta Vigo FC Barcelona FC Sevilla Mallorca Rayo Vallecano Real Betis Real Madrid Real Sociedad Valencia
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Mallorca Real Sociedad Atletico Madrid FC Barcelona Elche Real Betis Rayo Vallecano Valencia Celta Vigo Alaves Osasuna Athletic Bilbao Cadiz Levante Granada Villarreal Getafe Espanyol FC Sevilla Real Madrid Rayo Vallecano FC Barcelona Alaves Valencia Atletico Madrid Real Sociedad Celta Vigo Real Betis Mallorca Elche Atletico Madrid Granada Levante Espanyol Osasuna Cadiz Getafe Villarreal Elche Athletic Bilbao
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Alaves FC Barcelona Valencia Celta Vigo Real Madrid Real Sociedad FC Sevilla Levante Rayo Vallecano Real Betis Real Betis FC Sevilla Cadiz Valencia Atletico Madrid Getafe Elche Athletic Bilbao Mallorca Osasuna Villarreal Real Sociedad Alaves Espanyol Real Madrid Levante Celta Vigo Granada Rayo Vallecano Mallorca Elche Real Sociedad Athletic Bilbao Getafe Atletico Madrid FC Sevilla FC Barcelona Valencia Osasuna Cadiz Real Betis Mallorca Real Madrid Alaves Osasuna Espanyol Granada Celta Vigo Athletic Bilbao Villarreal
