Thread: Villarreal - Man City

Nothing left to lose for Villarreal, says Borja Valero. After three matches and three defeats in this year's edition of the UEFA Champions League, our small-town boys are down to their last chance tonight at El Madrigal.

Standing in their way is high and mighty Manchester City. As of this season, that is. And maybe only after Sergio Aguero scored a last-minute winner in the first leg and then mocked our players. He's a great player, no doubt, but the knives will be out.

What more can be said about the injuries in Vila-real? According to Hernán Sanz, late word is that Bruno Soriano also will miss out. Our only consistent field player all season, naturally. Bruno has been replaced in the squad by B team defender Carlos Tomás.

My expected XI:

Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Diego López; Mario, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Catalá; Marchena, Gullón; Pérez, Borja, de Guzmán; Joselu.

We must start brightly in this match. Man City needs to realize from the outset that Villarreal is no Queens Park Rangers. The fans should be behind our team, so I have confidence that we can make a good account of ourselves. No promises on the outcome, but we should save face.

The match begins at 3:45 pm Eastern Time. Endavant (mini)submarino!