Six reasons Villarreal are pushing to finish above Atlético Madrid | OneFootball

Villarreal head into Monday’s trip to Girona third on 58 points, with Barcelona on 73, Real Madrid 69 and Atlético Madrid a point back. Marcelino’s side are targeting third as Atlético also juggle a Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona and a Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the financial uplift is key. In 2023-24, 1,361 million euros were distributed, with 25% linked to league position. From that 340.25 million pool, third took 13% (44.23 million) and fourth 11% (37.42 million), a gain of roughly six to seven million. It would also help offset a Champions League group exit without a win.

Sportingly, third place would secure consecutive Champions League seasons for the first time in the club’s history. It would underline their capacity to challenge Spain’s big three and open a gap on rivals such as Betis, Athletic and Real Sociedad, a contrast with Sevilla and Valencia’s relegation battles.

The final weekend, around 24 May, brings Atlético to La Cerámica and could decide third if the gap is three points or fewer. The game would also coincide with Vila-real’s Sant Pasqual festivities.

Beating a higher-budget Atlético would carry symbolic weight for fans. Villarreal have only twice made the podium, third in 2004/05 and second in 2008/09 under Manuel Pellegrini, and last finished fourth in 2015/16 with Marcelino. Since 2011-12 only Girona have broken into the top three, doing so two seasons ago, underlining the scale of an ambitious 2025/26 target.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo