Iñigo Pérez looks to Champions League as Villarreal seek reset | OneFootball

Villarreal enter the Champions League seeking a reset after a poor league start of two draws and two defeats, just two points from 12. Iñigo Pérez needs a bright opening to steady the campaign.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the competition is viewed as the place to find their bearings, after a 2-2 at the Metropolitano where they felt they merited more, but a draw with Racing and losses to Alavés and Deportivo have stung. They also want to improve on last season’s European image.

Villarreal trained on Monday at Miralcamp before travelling to Dortmund. Their sixth Champions League campaign begins at Signal Iduna Park against Borussia Dortmund, European champions, under Niko Kovac.

Pérez’s ability is not in doubt after pre-season, though he has acknowledged the team have lacked intensity, depth and dynamism, and a course correction is required. He debuts in the competition and will be without injured defenders Juan Foyth and Carlos Romero.

He declined to reveal a goalkeeping change, yet indications are that Hungarian Peter Gulácsi could start ahead of Luiz Júnior, who has been affected mentally. Pérez has said the Brazilian must show his mental strength and that he will choose whoever he believes is best for each match.

Mouriño is expected to return at right-back, with Sergi Cardona on the left and Pau Navarro partnering Renato Veiga in central defence. Comesaña and Pape Gueye are set to anchor midfield, with Nico Pepe and Buchanan wide, Mikautadze as the nine and either Gerard or Ayoze alongside him.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”