Villarreal wants to transfer its good moment to Europe

the villarreal returns to Europe this Thursday, with the first leg of the round of 16 conference league, in good time, because after doubts generated by a series of defeats in the league, they have won two consecutive games in the domestic championship, which they will try to endorse with the visit of Anderlecht that has found its stability with the new coach .

For this reason, those Quique Setien They come into this first round of the Conference League on a positive trend, as the good league results added to the recovery of some of their injured players.

Anderlecht, who took over as coach in December Mazzu is happy For Danish Brian Riemer, for his part, has found stability with the new coach in charge of the dressing room. They’ve gained strength in recent weeks, moving up from 12th in the lightweight rankings when Riemer moved up to ninth.

But results have been more difficult of late and Anderlecht are now in tenth, after drawing with Courtrai and Standard Liège and losing 1-0 against La Gantoise last weekend.

The Brussels team faces a decisive week, not only because part of their future in Europe is at stake against Villarreal, but also because they will play an important game against Leuven where the possibility of continuing the battle to play the ” play off ” of the last leg of the Belgian league.

Ahead of the clash with VIllarreal, Anderlecht defender Hannes Delcroix and midfielder Marco Kana are doubtful due to injury, so the burden of defense will fall on veteran international Jan Vertonghen and young promise Zeno Debast.

For their part, Villarreal can count on players like Gerard Moreno, Gio Lo Celso, Nico Jackson and Alfonso Pedraza, who have been injured since the beginning of the year.

A return that allows us to think about making changes or rotating in an eleven, which, forced by casualties, had to play many consecutive games.

Villarreal face the second round of European competition with memories of their achievements in the previous two seasons, where they were Europa League champions and Champions League semifinalists.

In the chapter of absences, the men of Castellón have the casualties of the injured Francis Coquelin, who will not play for the rest of the season, and the last minute of Ettiene Capoue.

Regarding the possible eleven, the big question is whether the striker Gerard Moreno can start, after playing few minutes in the last few days.

Possible lineups:

Anderlecht: Verbruggen; Murillo, Debast, Vertonghen, Sardella; Ashimeru, Diawara, Verschaeren; Dreyer, Slimani, Amuzu.

Villarreal: Queen; Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Alberto Moreno; Parejo, Ramon Terrats, Alex Baena; Chukwueze, Gerard Moreno, Yeremy Pino or José Luis Morales.

Referee: Bartosz Frankowski (POL)

Stadium: Lotto Park.

Time: 18:45 CET