Enjoy it while you can. Although this match is most important for purposes of qualifying for Europe, it is also the last home match for many of Villarreal's long-time stars. Villarreal will definitely be missing Javi Venta and Robert Pires the next time they line up at El Madrigal. Add to that the likely loss of Rossi, Nilmar, Diego Lopez, and Diego Godin, as well as possible other defections, and the face of Villarreal will look very different next year. So what do you say, guys? A sending away party with a huge victory over Valencia?
After two successive defeats while giving up four goals in each match, Villarreal will be desperate to shore up the back line against Valencia. Capdevila will be back after his suspension for yellow-card accumulation, and Gonzalo has recovered from a mid-week bout of tonsillitis. The back line will be without Musacchio, who is suspended following his red card on Tuesday.
The match means everything for Villarreal, as they are even on points, but behind on goal differential to Getafe, who currently reside in sixth place. Villarreal sits one point ahead of Athletic Bilbao. Needless to say, the table is tight heading into the final two matches of the season. Getafe arguably has the easiest remaining schedule, home to Malaga, then away to Atletico Madrid. Villarreal's is slightly tougher, with tomorrow's match followed by a trip to Zaragoza. Athletic Bilbao easily have the toughest road, with an away trip to Madrid, followed by a visit by Deportivo. Villarreal simply must take all six points, and hope that Getafe stumbles in one of their two matches. Who knows, perhaps the leadership of Robert Pires could make the difference?
Valencia really have nothing to play for tomorrow except for derby pride. They sit on 68 points, eight ahead of fourth-placed Sevilla. In effect, their season is over except for the celebrating.
The squad for the match:
Keepers: Diego López and Oliva.
Defenders: Javi Venta, Ángel, Capdevila, Godin, Gonzalo and Kiko.
Midfielders: Senna, Bruno, Cani, Cazorla, Ibagaza, Pires and Escudero.
Forwards: Nilmar, Rossi and Llorente.
We have to win this match. No other options. Do it for Europe. Do it for the club (and its bank account!). Do it for the fans. Do it for Bobby and Javi. ENDAVANT!