Marcelino García Toral has done it again. Villarreal CF secured their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League with a stunning 2-3 away victory over league champions FC Barcelona. More than just three points, the result is a testament to the outstanding collective work of a committed squad led by a coaching staff that has exceeded all expectations.
“This is a bonus for the squad and the fans—we achieved it together,” Marcelino said after the match. “We’re very proud that this win has mathematically secured us a place in the Champions League, opening up a significant gap over Betis, who pushed us until today.”
The numbers speak for themselves in what has been a remarkable campaign:
⚽️ 69 goals scored: Villarreal are the third-highest scorers in LaLiga and have already set a club record for goals in a single top-flight season, with one match still to play.
✋🏻 36 out of 37 matchdays spent in the top five of the league table.
✈️ With 36 points on the road (11 wins), Marcelino’s side are the second-best away team in the competition.
💪 67 points: a new personal best for Marcelino as Villarreal CF manager in LaLiga, surpassing the 64 points earned in the 2015/16 season.
Just months after returning to the Villarreal dugout, Marcelino has led the club back to European elite football. A feat that, as the coach admits, few could have foreseen at the start of the campaign: “Very few believed on July 10th that we could finish in the Champions League spots. We’ve had a great plan, and we’re truly thankful—from myself and the entire staff.”
Qualifying for the Champions League marks a milestone for the club and opens new doors for its future. “Nowadays, making it into the Champions League gives you a big financial boost, in addition to the joy of playing in the best club competition in the world. We’re in, and now it’s time to enjoy it and start next season with maximum ambition,” Marcelino concluded.
With a clear identity, a united squad, and the leadership of a coach who embodies Villarreal’s spirit, the Yellow Submarine is once again ready to sail among Europe’s elite—with style.