Villarreal’s 2017/18 campaign was a successful one in the end, as they once again qualified for the Europa League, but they had some ups and downs along the way.
Fran Escriba started the year as their coach, but the performances weren’t great and a 4-0 defeat away at Getafe in the sixth week saw the board pull the plug, deciding to promote B team coach Javier Calleja.
Under Calleja, they immediately improved and embarked on a run of four wins and two draws, with both draws coming in difficult away trips to Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club.
They then hit another turbulent patch or two, with Villarreal always seeming to be a team who thrived when confidence was high and who slumped when it was low. They went through three three-match winning runs and two three-match losing runs over the course of the season, which sort of sums up just how hot and cold their form could be.
It should be kept in mind that Villarreal suffered many injuries this season, with Bruno Soriano ruled out for the entire campaign and with first-choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo and second-choice goalkeeper Andres Fernandez both suffering cruciate ligament injuries this season.
On top of that, Ruben Semedo, the centre-back they’d signed last summer for €14m, was arrested in February and couldn’t play again, while star striker Cedric Bakambu was sold to Chinese side Beijing Sinobo Guoan in the winter window.
For Villarreal to overcome a coaching change, multiple long-term injuries, the arrest of a valuable defender and the sale of their best striker, and to still finish fifth, is an underrated achievement. If they can have a more tranquil campaign next year, they can build on this.
