For the second time in its history, Villarreal will play in the semi-finals of the Champions League after beating Bayern Munich (1-0, 1-1). A resounding return to the front of the stage thanks to Unai Emery.
Can Emery achieve the feat of the century in C1?
Back up to jump better, Villarreal, we love this saying. When we look at the workforce of the Spanish club, we find many players who are reborn from their ashes after a recent complicated adventure: Serge Aurier, Alberto Moreno, tienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin, Dani Parejo, Giovani Lo Celso. .. but also and above all Unai Emery.
Villarreal has a new account thanks to Emery
In France, the Iberian coach will unfortunately remain in the collective imagination, the man of the Remontada. With a capital R. The one that swung Paris Saint-Germain to the dark side of force. But since then, the Basque has been able to get back in the saddle. After a short spell at Arsenal, where he managed to reach the Europa League final in 2019, Emery managed to regain his success and his Villarreal spirits. A family club perfectly sized for its philosophy of play.
Since his arrival in the summer of 2020, the 50-year-old has been performing feats. He won his fourth Europa League (3rd with FC Sville), allowing the yellow submarine to write his first line on the charts in 98 years. Even stronger, he allowed Villarreal to reach the last four of the Champions League for the second time in its history after 2006 during an edition where the final was already played at the Stade de France.
Emery is changed
With Villarreal, Emery has above all succeeded in erasing his main fault: travel in hostile terrain. Of the 13 matches played in the direct elimination phase with its current coach, the club from the east of the Kingdom has never lost with a record of 9 wins and 4 draws. Salzburg, Dynamo kyiv, Dinamo Zagreb, Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus, Bayern, all broke their teeth on the yellow defense, which only conceded 6 goals.
Now, Emery has a date with history. If the qualification for the C1 and C3 next season via La Liga (Villarreal is 7th with 8 points behind Real Sociedad, 6th), seems difficult, the Spanish formation will try the improbable by seeking the final victory in the most prestigious of European competitions. After taking out two ogres from the Old Continent, can Emery force his way through and show a little more that he is a very great footballer?
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