Villarreal Team News Page 2 - Soccer

Georges Mikautadze - Sets up equalizer Mikautadze assisted once to go with four shots (two on goal) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Racing Santander.

Impact Mikautadze stood out as Villarreal's most active and dangerous attacker, picking out Nicolas Pepe for the equalizer in stoppage time while also creating another chance and leading the team with four shots. The forward had an impressive debut season in Spain last year, netting 13 goals across 23 starts, and figures to continue as the club's top offensive threat and penalty taker in the absence of Gerard Moreno.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Nets equalizer in comeback Pepe scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal), three crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Racing Santander.

Impact Pepe struck a trademark curling goal to help Villarreal fight back from two goals down, leveling the match at 2-2 moments after Pape Gueye's strike. He added another shot on top of the goal and shared corner responsibilities with Alberto Moleiro, taking two himself along with three crosses. Pepe enters the season in fine form after a productive campaign that saw him record eight goals and eight assists, and he continues to look like one of Villarreal's sharpest attacking weapons.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Scores in opener Gueye scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Racing Santander. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 72nd mi...

Impact Gueye made his first league start under new head coach Inigo Perez and had a hand in Villarreal's comeback from two goals down, cutting the deficit with a low strike from distance in first half stoppage time that paved the way for Nicolas Pepe's leveler shortly after. Gueye continues to showcase his ability to score from range and also created two other chances in the game.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Espanyol routs Levante 3-0 and Racing squanders two-goal lead in return to top tier in Spain

Espanyol gets off to a good start by beating Levante 3-0 in the Spanish league with a pair of goals from Roberto Fernández in the first weekend of action across Europe’s top domest...

AUGUST 16 • Associated Press

Racing Santander vs Villarreal Prediction and Betting Tips | August 16th 2026 The first matchday of the new La Liga season features a clash between newly-promoted Racing Santander and top-flight stalwarts Villarreal at Estadio El Sardinero on Sunday.

AUGUST 14 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Pape Gueye - Back in action in friendly Gueye (undisclosed) played 80 minutes in Saturday's clash against Galatasaray.

Impact Gueye took his usual spot as a defensive midfielder Saturday, marking his comeback from a short injury absence. Following a notable World Cup run with Senegal, Gueye looks set to feature as an all-around contributor with high passing numbers and occasional shooting upside for his club. His presence alongside Santi Comesana leaves Alassane Diatta in a backup role for now.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Missed Levante friendly with injury Gueye (undisclosed) missed Wednesday's friendly against Levante due to an injury picked up in training Tuesday, the club announced.

Impact Gueye's absence was described as a precautionary measure, with the coaching staff opting not to take any risks during a busy preseason stretch, and the issue currently appears to be minor. The midfielder's defensive intensity and ball-winning ability make him an important piece of Villarreal's engine room, and he is expected to line up alongside Santi Comesana as a regular starter in central midfield this season. Villarreal will continue monitoring his progress before determining his return to the squad.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Starts, plays 45 minutes Foyth (Achilles) started and played 45 minutes in Villarreal's preseason friendly against Levante, the club announced.

Impact Foyth had continued working on his recovery plan without seeing any minutes in friendly action, making this his first appearance since returning to training after a lengthy layoff from his Achilles injury, with Pau Navarro having seen increased playing time alongside Renato Veiga in central defense during his absence. His involvement marks a clear step forward in his buildup, and Foyth is expected to continue building up his match fitness as preseason progresses.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Peter Gulacsi - Joins Villarreal Gulacsi has completed a transfer to Villarreal from Leipzig, according to his new club.

Impact Gulacsi is on the move as he leaves his post in Leipzig after multiple years served in Germany, switching to Spain as he joins Villarreal on a two-year deal. The goalie spent 11 years with Villarreal before his exit, recording 117 clean sheets across an amazing 363 matches with the team. This will leave Maarten Vandevoordt as the No. 1 in net for Leipzig, as Gulacsi takes over the main role in net for Villarreal.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Progressing towards return Foyth (Achilles) has continued to work on his recovery plan and is hopeful to be in contention for the new season, but the club has yet to specify when he'll make his competitive c...

Impact Foyth has trained with the team during the offseason, but the fact that he hasn't seen any minutes even in friendly action after a lengthy period on the sidelines makes it difficult for him to be heavily involved in the early stages of the 2026/27 period. The team will continue to handle the defender's return with caution and likely won't rush him into the starting lineup until he's in optimal shape. Meanwhile, Pau Navarro should see increased playing time alongside Renato Veiga in the middle of the back line.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Renato Palma Veiga - Rejoins training for preseason Veiga has rejoined Villarreal's training group for preseason following his run with Portugal at the World Cup, the club announced.

Impact Veiga started all five of Portugal's matches at the tournament, showing himself to be a solid and reliable defender throughout the run. His performances there carry over into expectations for the new season, where he's expected to slot in as a regular starter in central defense for Villarreal. Veiga is expected to build toward full training as preseason continues.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Freeman - Back in training for preseason Freeman has returned to training with Villarreal for preseason after his participation with the United States at the World Cup, the club announced.

Impact Freeman had a strong tournament, contributing a goal and an assist during the competition, numbers that reflect his attacking instincts and willingness to push forward from right back. His return now shifts focus to Villarreal's preseason preparations, where his pace and energy down the flank will put him in competition with Santiago Mourino for the starting role. Freeman is expected to build up his fitness gradually as preseason continues.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Tani Oluwaseyi - Back with Villarreal Oluwaseyi is back with Villarreal and ready for the new season, according to the club.

Impact Oluwaseyi finished last season with four goals and two assists across 34 appearances in all competitions with Villarreal, his debut campaign with the club after joining from Minnesota United last summer. He was unable to find the net at the World Cup, managing eight shots without a goal across Canada's journey, but his return to club training now shifts the focus to building on last season's productive first year in LaLiga heading into the new campaign under new coach Inigo Perez.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Tajon Buchanan - Ready for new season Buchanan is back with Villarreal and ready for the new season, according to the club.

Impact Buchanan finished last season with seven goals and one assist across 34 LaLiga games, including a hat trick against Girona that made him the first Canadian to score three goals in a single LaLiga match, having joined Villarreal from Inter Milan last summer. He struggled to have a major impact at the World Cup, managing just three shots on target and no goal contributions across Canada's journey, but his return to club training now shifts the focus toward building on last season's breakout campaign heading into the new LaLiga season under new coach Inigo Perez.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Macia - Signs extension through 2031 Macia has extended his contract with Villarreal through June 2031, a two-year extension from his previous deal that ran to 2029, the club announced.

Impact Macia is a 17-year-old midfielder regarded as one of the top prospects in Villarreal's academy and is currently training with the first team in preseason. He spent last season with Villarreal B in Primera Federacion under David Albelda, making 25 appearances, and also made his senior debut on December 6, 2025, coming off the bench in a 2-0 La Liga win over Getafe. He went on to make five first-team appearances across all competitions, including one in the Copa del Rey. He is also a Spain youth international, having represented the U19s. Villarreal highlight his reading of the game and physical attributes as key strengths, allowing him to bring balance to the side, build play from deep, and win back possession defensively.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Trains at full intensity Foyth (Achilles) is training at full intensity during preseason without issue and is available for the new 2026/27 LaLiga season under new coach Inigo Perez, the club posted.

Impact Foyth had been sidelined since January with an Achilles injury that also cost him a spot at the World Cup with Argentina, and his return to full intensity training is an encouraging sign heading into the new 2026/27 La Liga campaign. If he stays healthy through the remainder of preseason, he should be well positioned to compete for a starting role on the right side of Villarreal's defense.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Pau Cabanes - Starts in first preseason test Cabanes (knee) is in the starting lineup for the first preseason friendly against Benfica after recovering from an ACL injury.

Impact Cabanes' setback traces back to August 26 last year,when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a training session with Villarreal's B team, an injury that required surgery and an initial recovery estimate of seven to eight months and while the initial outlook pointed to a recovery stretching into the following summer, he was back involved well before that, appearing off the bench in Villarreal's final league game of the season against Atletico Madrid on May 24. His start in this preseason friendly extends that positive trend, and with a full preseason still ahead of him, he looks well placed to push for a genuine role in Villarreal's attack this season.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Santi Comesana - Training with group Comesana has recovered from his injury and is training normally with the group as Villarreal begins its second week of preseason, the club announced.

Impact Comesana's return is a boost for Villarreal, given his status as an undisputed starter in midfield. The club is building toward its preseason opener against Benfica on Friday. His full participation in training suggests the recovery has been resolved without complication. Comesana is expected to continue as a key fixture in Villarreal's midfield as preseason progresses.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Gerard Moreno - Training with group Moreno has recovered from his injury and is training with the group as preseason begins, the club announced.

Impact Moreno had missed the final match of last season with an undisclosed injury, ending the campaign with 10 goals on 39 shots across 22 appearances, including 16 starts. His full involvement in preseason training suggests the issue has been resolved without complication. The forward is expected to compete for a starting role as Villarreal continue preparations for the new season. Moreno is expected to be fully available heading into the campaign.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Foyth - Back in training Foyth (Achilles) participated in full training Thursday and should be an option for Villarreal during the pre-season friendlies ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season in August,...

Impact Foyth suffered an Achilles injury in January, and while the injury prevented him from representing Argentina in the World Cup, it seems he'll be ready to play in preseason and, most importantly, the new LaLiga season. If Foyth stays healthy in preseason, he should compete for a starting role on the right side of Villarreal's defensive line.

JULY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Freeman - All-around effort in loss Freeman had two shots (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Monday's 4-1 loss versus Belgium.

Impact Freeman was perhaps the most active member of a shaky defensive unit in Monday's game. Despite the goals conceded, the Villarreal man managed to contribute through several offensive stats and 10 duels won over 90 minutes on the field. During the entire World Cup, he scored one goal and an assist, and also focused on defensive tasks across considerable stretches of games, tallying 15 clearances and 14 tackles in 373 minutes of play.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Renato Palma Veiga - Records five clearances in loss Veiga registered one tackle (one won), five clearances and one interception in Monday's 1-0 loss against Spain. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 94th minute.

Impact Veiga posted a game-high total of clearances while leading his team with 54 passes, though he did little more and was shown a yellow card for a late foul during Monday's game. With his country eliminated from the World Cup, the central man will be unable to further improve on his consistent numbers of 4.6 clearances, 1.6 interceptions and 1.2 blocks per game. Despite not being a regular starter in the qualifiers, he ended up playing all possible minutes during the summer event, featuring as part of a center-back partnership with Ruben Dias.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Tajon Buchanan - Sends two crosses in loss Buchanan recorded one shot (one on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Morocco.

Impact Buchanan did what he could on the right side of the attack for Canada, but he was unable to make a big impact while losing several duels against Noussair Mazraoui. The speedy winger started every game for Canada at the World Cup, but he was disappointing in terms of productivity. Despite having tons of experience in Europe, he didn't record a single goal or assist.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Tani Oluwaseyi - Takes two shots in loss Oluwaseyi registered two shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-0 defeat versus Morocco.

Impact Oluwaseyi got the start upfront ahead of Promise David and Cyle Larin, but he didn't do much throughout the game. The Villarreal striker didn't score a single goal in the World Cup despite starting in three of Canada's five contests, and he racked up just eight shots (four on target) in total.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Partey - Average performance in loss Partey recorded two shots (zero on goal) and one chance created in Friday's 1-0 defeat against Colombia.

Impact Partey delivered an average showing in Friday's match against Colombia, completing passes at an 88 percent accuracy while adding six recoveries and creating a chance. Between injuries and personal matters, he was unable to reach his usual level throughout the tournament, finishing his World Cup with just one chance created, 11 duels won, six interceptions, and four tackles across three matches, a subdued campaign for the midfielder.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

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Espanyol routs Levante 3-0 and Racing squanders two-goal lead in return to top tier in Spain