Europa League Draw, part 2: FC Twente
by siempre_riquelme on Mar 18, 2011 12:30 PM CET
Email
PrintUPDATE 4: A summary in the form of a pretty picture--
| Braga (Por) / Dynamo Kiev (Ukr) | v | Benfica (Por) / PSV Eindhoven (Ned) |
| FC Porto (Por) / Spartak Moscow (Rus) | v | Villarreal (Esp) / FC Twente (Ned) |
In sum, we drew a favorable matchup in the quarterfinal, though the return leg will be in Holland. The semifinal will be a challenge, no matter which side we face, but El Madrigal will be full for the return leg. About the best we could have hoped for; now the boys have to come through. Endavant!
UPDATE 3: The Braga-Dynamo winner (QF #4) will host the semifinal second leg against Benfica or PSV (winner of QF #2), while we would have the return leg at home against either Porto or Spartak (winner of QF #1). So we do not avoid Porto until the final. Oh well.
And for official purposes, the winner of our semifinal would be the home side in the final at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.
UPDATE 2: Porto-Spartak was the first pairing out of the pot, followed by Benfica-PSV. I like it; we avoided the two best attacking sides left, both from Portugal.
And Villarreal draws Dutch side FC Twente, with the first leg at El Madrigal on April 7, while Braga will face Dynamo Kyiv. I think we've done well.
UPDATE: The draw is underway. Fixtures to come shortly. For now, here are the Champions League pairings.
| Inter (Ita) / Schalke (Ger) | v | Chelsea (Eng) / Man Utd (Eng) |
| Real Madrid (Esp) / Tottenham (Eng) | v | Barcelona (Esp) / Shakhtar (Ukr) |
How about a Mourinho special in the semifinals? Inter-Chelsea and Madrid-Barca arguably are the most likely semifinal matchups.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a comfortable win to advance to the Europa League quarterfinals, we are back to ping-pong balls and tiny slips of paper in Nyon, Switzerland. That's right, another draw featuring suits and Irish legend Ronnie Whelan.
Interestingly, looking at the odds after the first knockout stage draw, only FC Porto would be more highly-favored to win the competition. I think that's about right.
A quick look at our 7 potential opponents, grouped by country:
Portugal (3): FC Porto is unstoppable this season, having not lost in the Primeira Liga. They routed Genk in the playoff round, won Group L ahead of Besiktas, and have knocked out Sevilla (on away goals) and CSKA Moscow. That is the team I want to avoid at any cost. See you in the final? Hope you don't make it that far.
SL Benfica dropped down from the Champions League and has since defeated Stuttgart and PSG. Same story for SC Braga, which beat Arsenal at home and now has overcome Lech Poznan and the once-mighty Liverpool.
Holland (2): FC Twente is a nice story, managed by former Belgian keeper Michel Preud'homme. They also dropped down from the Champions League and since have beaten two Russian sides, Rubin Kazan and title favorites Zenit St. Petersburg. Take them for granted at your peril.
PSV Eindhoven, a veteran of European competition, took out Sibir Novosibirsk to reach the group stage and won Group I ahead of Metalist Kharkiv (which Bayer Leverkusen defeated 0-6 in the round of 32). PSV has defeated Lille and Rangers to reach this stage.
Russia (1): Thanks to FC Twente's aforementioned scalps, FC Spartak Moscow is its country's last European representative. Another Champions League third-place group stage finisher, they have eliminated Basel and Ajax.
Ukraine (1): FC Dynamo Kyiv missed out on the Champions League group stage but has recovered nicely, thanks in part to the ageless Andriy Shevchenko. They won Group E ahead of BATE, clobbered Besiktas, and slipped past Manchester City to reach this stage.
In sum, every opponent will be difficult, but FC Porto is head and shoulders above the rest. 6:7 chance to avoid them, so the odds are in our favor. Endavant!
55 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I don’t like having to play the first match at home—I think we avoided the teams I most feared, but Twente is no pushover. We need to win by a couple of goals at El Madrigal, preferably with a clean sheet.
If we win through we probably play Porto in the semis, but at least we have the first leg away.
A pretty good draw, all in all.
by Allen on Mar 18, 2011 1:21 PM CET reply actions
Well, we would play the second leg at home in 3 out of 4 rounds. So that’s a favorable draw, based on the odds. My bigger worry is the scheduling.
After two weeks off following the Athletic match, we host Barca, then Twente, then “travel” to Valencia, followed by the trip to Holland. 4 pressure-packed matches in a row.
by sidarth on Mar 18, 2011 1:42 PM CET up reply actions
Semifinals: Porto-Villarreal and Benfica-Dinamo.
Final: Villarreal-Benfica.
Villarreal the winner of the trophy.
by klassik-mike on Mar 18, 2011 1:27 PM CET reply actions
Those are the favorites, I would agree. The cold weather no longer plays a big role in March and April, which hurts Spartak and Dynamo.
Obviously every team that has made it this far is dangerous, but watch out for Braga. They’ve had a rough draw in both the Champions League and Europa League and have surpassed expectations. Surviving 90 minutes at Anfield with a one-goal lead is impressive, no matter how poor Liverpool has been this season.
by sidarth on Mar 18, 2011 1:45 PM CET up reply actions
I wouldn’t like to face Benfica or Porto, both have serious pace out wide where we are sometimes very frail!
by Nick on Mar 18, 2011 3:15 PM CET up reply actions
EPM take on Twente: http://www.elperiodicomediterraneo.com/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=644726
Sounds like another tough physical challenge.
by Kenez on Mar 18, 2011 1:46 PM CET reply actions
They have a lot of solid players, including the American defender Onyewu and strikers Ruiz (Costa Rica), de Jong (Holland), and Janko (Austria). We faced the giant Janko in last season’s competition when he starred for Red Bull Salzburg.
But their strength is in the midfield: Bruggink, Chadli, Janssen, and Landzaat is a dangerous group, even if somewhat anonymous. All four are from the Low Countries, and they’ve scored a number of impressive goals from distance. And we aren’t playing Liverpool, but Twente also sings “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
by sidarth on Mar 18, 2011 1:54 PM CET reply actions
Well, we didn’t draw one of Santi’s feared opponents until the semifinal.
by sidarth on Mar 18, 2011 2:09 PM CET reply actions
Twente hosts PSV for the Eredivisie lead the weekend that we play Barca. Expect some tired legs from both teams, which should be to our advantage, as we don’t have to travel.
by sidarth on Mar 18, 2011 2:15 PM CET reply actions
Also, another 2nd-place opponent in a major European league. Well, Porto definitely will break that run, if we both advance.
by sidarth on Mar 18, 2011 2:56 PM CET up reply actions
Landsdowne Road or the Aviva Stadium as it is otherwise known is just a 5 minute bus journey from my college house. Surely it is fate that we have to be there! It is a fantastic stadium, one befitting of el Submarino!
by Nick on Mar 18, 2011 3:17 PM CET reply actions
Yet again, the teams catapulted in from the Champions league all avoid each other—each plays a tie against a team that won its group in the Europa League. Second year in a row that has happened!!
by Allen on Mar 18, 2011 3:25 PM CET reply actions
Del Bosque has included Capdevila, Marchena and Cazorla in the Spanish squad for the two matches in the International break but omitted Diego Lopez, Bruno and Borja Valero.
by Kenez on Mar 18, 2011 4:38 PM CET reply actions
Leaving out Bruno and Valero is a shocking decision!!
by Nick on Mar 18, 2011 11:12 PM CET up reply actions
If you’ve not had enough excitement the B team are in action tonight against Xerez in the televised game (K.O. 21:00 hours local time).
Absent from the squad for sanction are Iago Falqué and Jaume Costa, in addition Kiko is not included. A new name in the squad is the young forward Moisés.
Keepers: Mariño & Vicente Flor.
Defenders: Mano, Dervite, Carlos Tomás, Héctor & Ángel Ortega.
Midfield: Dutra, Marcos Gullón, Nico, Natxo Insa, Castellani, Hernán Pérez & Marquitos.
Forwards: Airam, Gerard, Nicki Bille & Moisés.
by Kenez on Mar 18, 2011 4:50 PM CET reply actions
there are streams listed at the usual sources, hopefully one or more of them will work out. And I expect Radio Nou will have commentary too.
and for those of you in the US, Gol TV is broadcasting yesterday’s match tonight at 5PM. It’s always interesting to see what you missed trying to watch on the tiny computer screen.
Looking at Twente’s stats, it looks like they play a 4-3-3 most of the time. Does anyone know if this is correct?
by Allen on Mar 18, 2011 7:09 PM CET reply actions
The Twente stats at UEFA indicate that four midfield players have played all four games which would suggest 4-4-2
http://en.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/club=52818/squad/index.html
Twente’s boss compares Villarreal to Barcelona
http://en.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=1609381.html
by Kenez on Mar 18, 2011 8:33 PM CET up reply actions
No that isn’t true. Emir Bajrami isn’t a midfielder, but a winger (that’s also why he has number 11). FC Twente plays always 4-3-3. Usually in Dutch competition they play with a attacking midfielder at the center of the midfield, but during Europa League games it’s mostly a defensive power (for example Denny Landzaat). I’m a Dutch Villarreal fan, so I know exactly how Twente plays, because I see them almost every week. It’s gonna be a tuff match!
by Luuk on Mar 20, 2011 12:02 PM CET up reply actions
I know we’ve been giving Gonzalo some criticism lately but here is a very nice interview with him conducted by a fan. What he has to say about Barca and Real Madrid is interesting. Hope he’s right with his queniela pick!
http://eljugonmolon.blogspot.com/
by Allen on Mar 18, 2011 7:40 PM CET reply actions
A nice interview, yes – but completely about Barcelona and Real Madrid!
by maddi on Mar 18, 2011 9:23 PM CET up reply actions
well not completely—we learned he doesn’t read books, and thinks Borja and Rossi are having breakout seasons….
by Allen on Mar 18, 2011 10:46 PM CET up reply actions
da fact r da facts
napoli & bayer were better teams in better league then twente, so if villarreal can’t defeat twente, then it would be a break.
min da villarreal should make da semis
by jackson on Mar 18, 2011 9:07 PM CET reply actions
da fact r da facts
napoli & bayer were better teams in better league then twente, so if villarreal can’t defeat twente, then it would be a failure
min da villarreal should do is make da semis
by jackson on Mar 18, 2011 9:15 PM CET reply actions
which vcf will show up on sunday?
da liga one or da europa one?
by jackson on Mar 18, 2011 9:16 PM CET reply actions
Xerez take the lead off a corner in the 12th minute. B team looks a little flat without Iago Falque there
by Allen on Mar 18, 2011 9:17 PM CET reply actions
i saw da porto – sevilla match. truth be told sevilla sucked @ home in da 1st match, or porto would have lost
by jackson on Mar 18, 2011 9:19 PM CET reply actions
B team trails 1-0 at the half. I am unimpressed w/Nicki Bille today, I think Airam might get a chance here in the second half. Not sure why he doesn’t play more—he seems to know where the net is.
by Allen on Mar 18, 2011 9:47 PM CET reply actions
As well as missing Iago Falque I think we are also missing Jaume Costa. Hector did not have a good half, failed to cut out the pass that lead to the corner and then put the corner in his own net. Nicki Bille has not got into the game yet.
by Kenez on Mar 18, 2011 9:56 PM CET up reply actions
Result: VILLARREAL B 1 – 2 XEREZ
0-1 Héctor (pp) (13’)
0-2 Óscar Díaz (65’)
1-2 Gerard Bordas (69’)
Defensive errors again lead to a second goal for Xerez. Bordas reduced the arrears with a well taken goal and Dervite headed on to the crossbar with the final action of the match. A below par performance from the B tonight.
by Kenez on Mar 18, 2011 10:58 PM CET reply actions
An expected drop in the B team’s play, as injuries and call-ups take their toll. And yet they almost pulled a point out of the fire at the death. Onward and upward.
by sidarth on Mar 18, 2011 11:00 PM CET up reply actions
We certainly missed Falque and Costa today. Hector didn’t have a good game and of course Truyols is out for the season. And with Kiko being called up, we were really shorthanded at the back, which cost us. Too bad Dervite’s header didn’t creep in under the bar at the end!
by Allen on Mar 19, 2011 12:24 AM CET reply actions
Match report here: http://www.marca.com/2011/03/17/futbol/2adivision/1300371443.html
It incorrectly credits the header to Nicki Bille, when it was definitely Dervite.
Xerez have now done the double over us having won 3-1 at home. I think Xerez know how we play and have a game plan to counteract it.
by Kenez on Mar 19, 2011 8:49 AM CET up reply actions
Jose Mari played for us for a while—maybe that’s it?
I expect over these last 10-12 games we are going to see some variations in B team form, due to callups and injuries. It seemed hard for Nicki Bille to get into the game without Falque there. Bringing Airam on helped—in the first half he looked lonely and frustrated. And clearly without Truyols and Jamie Costa the defense suffered—Hector had a nightmare out there.
Xerez did seem to counteract our play fairly well though they were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch by the end, and Dervite nearly made them pay for it.
Next match on the 26th (Saturday) at Cartagena, who have another ex-groguet, Cygan, on their roster. And their club crest has a yellow submarine on it. They are promotion hopefuls so this will be a big game for them. And the week following, we host Barca B….
by Allen on Mar 19, 2011 12:53 PM CET up reply actions
Ruben doesn’t get enough credit.
He did his part as Central Forward on both games.
On Cazorla and Rossi goal, he’s highlighy effective dragging defenders and leaving spaces for others to take advantage.
Nilmar drags defenders w/the ball, while Ruben w/o the ball
by Acqua on Mar 19, 2011 6:20 AM CET reply actions
agree, he has an understanding of how to create space for others. He does get called for a lot of fouls in or near the box though, which is annoying. At least one of his offsides last game wasn’t.
Watching the replay on Gol I appreciated Marchena and Bruno all the more.
We were lucky there were no major decisions for the ref to make, as he was pretty spineless I thought. It think it is fine for the ref to let the game flow and ignore playacting, in fact that’s great, but I had the feeling if there was any major decision to make he would wave play on regardless. Except for playing the advantage that one time—I honestly don’t know why he blew that play dead as Rossi never lost control of the ball under the challenge.
by Allen on Mar 19, 2011 12:30 PM CET up reply actions
Cani as well as Borja are in the eyes of Del Bosque.
“Estamos atentos a los jóvenes que llaman a la puerta y a todos los que están en un gran estado de forma, como Reyes, Cani, Borja Valero o Xabi Prieto, pero por el momento apostamos por la estabilidad”, recordó Del Bosque.
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/viene/relax/elpepudep/20110318elpepudep_8/Tes
by Kenez on Mar 19, 2011 10:46 AM CET reply actions
Why not Bruno, though?? Busquets is a fine player, but Bruno this year has been better!
by Allen on Mar 19, 2011 12:32 PM CET up reply actions
I’m not a fan of Del Bosque, I think he was fortunate to inherit the players that he did and he continues with the same block.
I fully agree, Bruno does the job that Biscuits does far better. From what I’ve seen neither is Javi Martínez at the level of Borja Valero. It will be interesting to compare them tomorrow.
by Kenez on Mar 19, 2011 12:48 PM CET reply actions
Thinking of flying down and see The Twinte match, does anyone know how easy it is to get tickets to the match??
by Jens the dane... on Mar 19, 2011 1:03 PM CET reply actions
no idea but I would check Twente’s website. if I read this right there will be information available Monday March 22nd about tickets.
http://www.fctwente.nl/nieuws/info-kaartverkoop-fc-twente-villarreal-cf/
by Allen on Mar 19, 2011 6:14 PM CET up reply actions
I need to know about Villarreal sponsorship. Who can help me?
by damipher on Mar 19, 2011 1:41 PM CET reply actions
Villarreal currents Sponsors are
Main Sponsors:
Sponsorship that you see the shirts
http://www.puma.com/
http://www.aerocas.com
http://www.rtvv.es/va
Others
http://www.cocacola.es
http://www.pamesa.com
http://www.comunitatvalenciana.com
http://www.estrelladamm.com/
and recent ones
http://www.seat.es/es/generator/su/es/SEAT/site/main.html
http://www.recordrentacar.com
by acqua on Mar 19, 2011 3:41 PM CET up reply actions
And Here is what Villarreal CF Sponsor/Give to
Here is one, the rest are have link on the right side of page
under sponsorship
by Acqua on Mar 19, 2011 3:44 PM CET up reply actions
And Here is what Villarreal CF Sponsor/Give to
Castellon’s Olympics Sportsmen
Castellon Playas Athletic Club
CD Roda
L’Illa-Grau Volleyball Club
Pablo Herrera
Sonia Mañas
Valencia International University
Mountain Club Mur i Castell
by Acqua on Mar 19, 2011 3:48 PM CET up reply actions
Iago Falqué replaces Nilmar in the squad.
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/nilmar-baja-ultima-hora-athletic/20110319dasdasftb_8/Tes
by Kenez on Mar 19, 2011 3:15 PM CET reply actions
From Cicinho Vacy in Vila-real
=> so far the food has been great, but miss the Brazlian babes
by Acqua on Mar 19, 2011 4:14 PM CET reply actions
Benicasim, Spain 63°F | °C
Not bad weather if Cicinho wants to get a beach walk on his Vacy in Vila-real sponsored by VCF & AS Roma
by Acqua on Mar 19, 2011 4:19 PM CET up reply actions
It’s a little warmer than that, 66ºF this afternoon. Warm enough to get his kit off and do some sunbathing to top his tan.
by Kenez on Mar 19, 2011 5:15 PM CET up reply actions
well I’m sure Srs. Roig and Garrido are thrilled the weather is cooperating with Cicinho’s vacation plans. For a guy who came to VCF to rehabilitate his career he sure isn’t working very hard to do it.
Bad news about Nilmar. Ruben should partner Rossi, I wouldn’t expect Falque to feature. If we can scrape a draw from this fixture I will be thrilled.
by Allen on Mar 19, 2011 6:12 PM CET reply actions
I’m a little worried about Rossi playing so much. He features in virtually every match. Nilmar, Cazorla, Gonzalo all get breaks but not Rossi. I only hope that nothing happens before the Europea League matches and that he stays healthy!
by alex on Mar 19, 2011 6:26 PM CET reply actions
Well 1/we pray Rossi stays healthy , since this season he is the Messi of Villarreal.
He has kept the team ticking along
He has missed 2 matches I know of
1) Getade through Suspension
2) Deportivo Flu
has 26 starts in liga
and was rested for 1 game EL Playoff
1 ) 2nd game of EL Playoff
9 starts and 2 as sub in EL
by Acqua on Mar 19, 2011 8:57 PM CET up reply actions
I live in the Netherlands and I have to say that Twente is a very difficult opponent. They have very good players like Ruiz and Jansen and they could make the difference. In Europe Twente is also doing very nice as everyone could see in the CL. Luckily we have a great team too and I think we have a better change to go on to the next round, but we may not underestimated them.
by DutchVillareal on Mar 28, 2011 5:10 PM CEST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Villarreal USA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Twitter & Facebook
