Villarreal take a 2-0 lead into the Europa League last 32 second leg on Thursday night against Red Bull Salzburg. The Yellow Submarine dominated the first leg tie against Red Bull Salzburg with goals on either side of halftime from Paco Alcacer and Fer Nino.
The Austrians were shockingly quiet in the final third as they failed to score a single goal. The Red Bulls followed up that loss to Villarreal with a 4-2 home win versus Rapid Vienna at the weekend. Villarreal are a step up in competition, however. That difference in class showed last week.
Unai Emery’s team are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 matches in all competitions. They are on a two-game unbeaten run in all competitions with their weekend fixture in La Liga ending 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao.
Villarreal have been excellent at the Estadio de la Cermica in 2020-21 in all competitions. They have posted a record of 8W-6D-1L at home. Their form at the Estadio de la Cermica does not bode well for a result for Red Bull Salzburg.
The good news for Red Bull Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch is that his side have been good on the road this term. They have posted a record of 11W-1D-3L in all competitions. Two of those three losses came in the Champions League group stage.
The Red Bulls have scored a brilliant 47 goals away from home for an average of 2.94 per match. They have allowed just 16 goals for an average of 1.07 per match.
If there is an attacking team that can over turn a two-goal deficit, it is Red Bull Salzburg. The problem will be Villarreal’s defence, which is very strong.
Emery’s defence have conceded a mere 15 goals in 15 matches at home in all competitions. The Yellow Submarine have tallied 30 goals at the Estadio de la Cermica.
#UEL | This Thursday, we're back in the @EuropaLeague! 💪 pic.twitter.com/FYDRptG3Mi— Villarreal CF English (@Eng_Villarreal) February 23, 2021
#UEL | This Thursday, we're back in the @EuropaLeague! 💪 pic.twitter.com/FYDRptG3Mi
The Villarreal manager is without a trio of players. Francis Coquelin, Mario Gaspar, and Vincente Iborra are all ruled out of the fixture. Marsch will be without Noah Okafor and Bernardo who are both ruled out until March.
Villarreal were excellent in the first leg keeping Red Bull Salzburg at bay. The Yellow Submarine should be able to hold off the raging Red Bulls and qualify for the Europa League last 16. Expect a few more goals in this game as Red Bull Salzburg get on the scoresheet this time out.