Chapter 99: Champions League Qualification

After defeating Liverpool in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals, Villarreal immediately shifted all their focus back to the domestic league.

In La Liga’s 36th round, Villarreal’s opponent was Valencia. With an eight-point lead over fifth place and a double-digit goal difference advantage, all they needed was to avoid defeat in this match to secure Champions League qualification for the next season.

Saving their strength for the Europa League semi-final's second leg in midweek, Villarreal played cautiously, while Valencia seized the initiative. Early in the match, Parejo spun at the 25-yard mark and fired a shot from the center, attempting to make a statement, but it narrowly missed the target.

Soon after, Castillejo was dispossessed up front, Mina crossed from the right, and Negredo’s header from outside the box was collected by Areola, who was making a rare start.

Parejo’s performance was nothing short of world-class in this match. After his early flashes, he continued to shine with several impressive moments following a brief lull.

In the second minute, despite stumbling, Parejo managed to break past Bruno and Bailly in succession before crossing, but Rodrigo was dispossessed at the edge of the box by a double-team from the Yellow Submarine.

Villarreal’s attack lacked threat, and their first shot came only half an hour into the match. Soldado lofted the ball over the defender’s head in the center of the box, and Trigueros’ shot from the edge was blocked by the opposing defender.

This was the first time, aside from the opening moments, that Valencia’s goalkeeper Alves appeared on camera — a testament to Villarreal’s lackluster attacking display.

In contrast, Villarreal’s keeper Areola was frequently called into action as the first half progressed.

In the 36th minute, Negredo and Rodrigo exchanged headers, and Mina’s low left-footed shot from the edge of the box struck the outside of the right post and bounced out, leaving Areola visibly relieved.

Five minutes later, Bailly handled the ball outside the box, and Negredo’s shot from 25 yards hit the wall. Areola hurriedly gathered the rebound, his demeanor hurried and tense.

Villarreal’s most threatening attack of the first half came in the 43rd minute. Castillejo, after winning the ball in midfield, launched a long pass to Bakambu on the flank. Bakambu rose to meet the ball with his forehead and drove into the box, unleashing a powerful strike before the Valencia defenders could close him down, catching them off guard.

But Alves, who had been idle for more than forty minutes, remained alert and leapt to palm the ball away.

As the first half neared stoppage time, Villarreal narrowly escaped disaster again. Parejo, inspired throughout, unleashed a sudden shot from the edge of the box with Bailly defending. Neither Bailly nor Areola had time to react, but the ball struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced out of play.

Both sides failed to score in the first half; it ended 0-0.

In the second half, Villarreal showed improvement after Marcelino’s halftime adjustments.

Bakambu’s shot from the left edge of the box showcased the Yellow Submarine’s progress, but it was still blocked by Valencia’s defenders and posed no real threat to Alves.

In the 62nd minute, Soldado broke free from his marker on the right and cut into the box, but he missed the best passing opportunity. Castillejo made a near-post run, and Alves collected the ball.

As the team struggled not only to score but even to secure a draw, Marcelino finally ran out of patience and sent on David Dai, who had been rested for the Europa League semi-final’s second leg.

With Dai on the pitch, Villarreal’s attacking firepower became formidable, and Valencia’s defensive line was immediately under siege.

Villarreal pressed forward rapidly. Dai, after glancing at Valencia’s disorganized defensive line, felt a surge of optimism.

“Bang!”

After two strides, Dai unleashed a sudden right-footed shot, which deflected off a defender’s leg and went out for a corner.

“Still feels a bit rusty,” Dai flexed his ankles, having lost the super-sub feeling after a long time without coming off the bench.

From the corner, Bailly nearly scored with a header, but Valencia’s goalkeeper, in inspired form, blocked it on the goal line.

Dai reacted swiftly, pouncing on the rebound for a volleyed shot that flew toward the goal at great speed.

However, upon seeing his movement, the players from both sides turned away, none paying attention to the shot.

Dai watched awkwardly as his effort sailed wide, wishing he could explain to his teammates that it was just an accident, but words failed him.

The match unfolded just as Marcelino had anticipated. After the substitution, Villarreal launched several fierce attacks, and Valencia’s defense was repeatedly on the verge of collapse, but ultimately held firm.

In the latter stages of the second half, Valencia’s defenders spent most of their time desperately blocking shots.

Villarreal earned another corner as regulation time waned.

At that moment, Villarreal executed a tactical corner. Castillejo quickly crossed from the wing, and Valencia’s Mustafi decisively abandoned Bailly rushing into the box, but he was still a step too slow.

Dai, using Bailly’s run as cover, darted to the near post and powered a fierce header at goal.

The ball struck with force, stirring excitement!

But the Valencia supporters soon cheered in relief, for Dai’s header did not find the net but struck the side netting, appearing at first glance to have scored, but in reality, it was far off.

This was Villarreal’s closest chance to scoring all game.

After this failed attack, the Yellow Submarine tried to take advantage of the remaining time for one last push, but Valencia’s players slowed the pace, passing back to their defense to run down the clock.

For Villarreal, one point was enough; the real battle would be the Europa League semi-final second leg against Liverpool midweek. There was no need to exhaust themselves for this league match, so the players abandoned attacking in the final two minutes.

In the end, both sides finished scoreless.

With the point gained from this match, Villarreal secured Champions League qualification two rounds early!

Yet, their season’s glory was far from over!