Villas Boas leading Porto back to the big time

Eight years on from success in Seville, Porto are on the brink of a return to the Europa League final guided by a new rising star on the touchline

It is hardly surprising that a certain Portuguese coach should head the list of many of Europe’s top clubs looking for a new manager this summer.

Success has followed this man wherever he has gone, from his days as a very young man when Bobby Robson took him under his wing to the role he played in guiding Porto, Chelsea and Inter to league titles.

Young, energetic and fiercely committed to the finest of details, he is the epitome of the young European coach. Except, he probably isn’t who you are thinking of.

André Villas Boas has had to live in Jose Mourinho’s shadow for most of his career, but now his ability as a stand-alone coach are beginning to get the attention and praise they deserve.

Villas Boas was Mourinho’s assistant for seven years, through spells at Porto, Chelsea and Inter, until last season the opportunity to return to his homeland as his own man was too good to refuse.

In seven months he managed to guide struggling Académica de Coimbra from relegation certainties to mid-table respectability. A feat so impressive that in the summer Porto came calling with the offer to return to the Estádio do Dragão.

A further nine months down the line and the 2004 European champions have been transformed from a club in crisis back to the dominant force in Portuguese football.

A league record that reads – P 27 W 25 L 0 F 64 A 13 – saw the championship wrapped up with five games to spare after victory at arch-rivals Benfica last month. A defeat so painful for the Lisbon club that the sprinklers were turned on and floodlights turned off as the Porto players celebrated.

On the continent they have been equally spectacular. The 10-3 demolition of Spartak Moscow in the quarter-finals the most striking example yet of the extraordinary goal-scoring potential that the squad contains.

Indeed that attacking intent allied to Villas Boas’ preference for a 4-3-3 system and an intense pressing game has led to comparisons with Mourinho’s adversary, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. Comparisons that may be fairer to a man who has always tried to maintain his tactical independence from the Real Madrid boss.

Like Guardiola, Villas Boas has indicated that his time in football management will not be for the long haul. In a week in which the stress placed upon football managers has been brought back into focus after Gerard Houllier’s health troubles, it is interesting that two young men with such a high profile are so acutely aware that such attention to detail in the short term can have drastic consequences down the line.

For the meantime, though, Villas Boas’ short-term goal is defined by glory on the European stage. After such an exemplary season another European final – the club’s third in eight seasons – is seen as a must, particularly given that another Portuguese side lie in wait – Benfica and Braga will contest the other semi-final.

However, Porto face their stiffest test this season if they are to make Dublin in the merry month of May with another Iberian coaching protégé occupying the opposition dugout this evening.

The Villarreal model of continuity had been held in high regard for many years in Spain. It had been how this tiny village of 50,000 people, albeit bankrolled by a tiling tycoon, had become one of Spain’s most successful clubs over the past decade. A decade previous to which they had never even played in La Liga.

At the head of this progressive project was Manuel Pellegrini. When the Chilean coach was headhunted to take over the antithesis of such stability under Florentino Perez’s Galacticos II project at Real Madrid, the Villarreal train was derailed.

Ernesto Valverde could only muster seven wins in 20 games before he was dismissed after only six months in the job. In came a little known, reserve team coach by the name of Juan Carlos Garrido and the yellow submarines improvement was so marked in the second half of the season that European football was back on the agenda at the Madrigal.

An experience that, unlike some who deride the Europa League, they have made the most of. As for all that Villarreal’s rise to prominence has been spectacular they have still yet to win a major trophy. Indeed it has been in Europe that they have come closest to breaking that duck with semi-final appearances in the 2005-06 Champions League and 2003-04 Uefa Cup.

For the first half of this season Villarreal were a joy to watch. Their brand of attractive, attacking football brought to life by players of the quality of Santi Cazorla, Borja Valero, Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi. The two best games of the Spanish season so far have arguably been when they have travelled to the Nou Camp and the Bernabéu.

Dani Alves paid Garrido’s men the highest of compliments after two goals by Lionel Messi consigned them to a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in November by saying:

“They’re the only team I have seen come and play just like us.

“But we’ve got Messi.”

The same could be said of Real Madrid and Ronaldo when a dazzling Villarreal first-half display was undone by the Portuguese’s hat-trick in a 4-2 defeat.

They were even winning the league for much of the season. Their league that is, the one they and the other 17 teams behind Barca and Real play in.

Since the turn of the year domestic results have slipped as the focus has turned to Europe. Still the Champions League should be blessed by their presence next season as they sit comfortably in fourth place with only five games remaining.

Right now though for two of Europe’s most entertaining sides it is Dublin that is on the mind.

Villas Boas is determined to lose the tag of ‘the next Mourinho’. Villarreal hope he is not so special.

Match Report: Atlético Madrid 3 Villarreal 1

Atleti moved up to sixth place in the table with an impressive 3-1 victory over Champions League chasing Villarreal at the Calderón.

The hosts famed front three of Jose Antonio Reyes, Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan got the goals for Quique Sanchez Flores’ side who have now gone four games without defeat.

Atleti started brightly and after Aguero had appealed in vain for a penalty, Reyes fired his side ahead with a wonderful curling left footed effort after five minutes.

The hosts were dominant in the first half hour and should have been further ahead before Villarreal provided a sting in the tail ten minutes before half-time. Giuseppe Rossi matching Reyes’ earlier effort with a fine left foot shot after Santi Cazorla had laid off a free-kick to the Italian striker.

The second-half started in the same manner as the first, Forlan having an effort rightly ruled out for offside and Reyes was denied by Diego Lopez. Meanwhile at the other end Nilmar blasted off target.

Forlan was the next to be denied by Lopez. Firstly, parrying the Uruguayan’s left foot effort before tipping away a fierce volley from 20 yards.

However, Atleti then deservedly sealed the game with two goals in four minutes. Kun Aguero got the goal his all round performance more than deserved and again there was a touch of quality about it. The Argentine beating Mateo Musacchio to Filipe Luis’ delightful through ball before beautifully lifting his effort over Lopez.

Forlan got the third moments later with a cute finish after a neat one-two with Reyes.

Atleti should have made the result even more comprehensive in stoppage time, Juanfran scuffing wide with the goal at his mercy after more wonderful unselfish play from Forlan before the Uruguayan fired across Lopez and wide of the target in the final act of the game.

A deserved victory for a fluid and highly entertaining Atleti who are now very much back in the hunt for a European place. Another defeat for Villarreal means they have only won once in their last six league outings but remain 10 points clear in fourth place.

Atlético Madrid 3 (Reyes 5, Aguero 68, Forlan 72) – Villarreal 1 (Rossi 34)

Match Report: Deportivo La Coruña 1 Villarreal 0

Depor eased their relegation worries with a well deserved 1-0 win over Villarreal at the Riazor.

Lopo got the only goal of what was a fairly poor game with Champions League chasing Villarreal especially disappointing.

After a similarly disappointing 1-0 defeat to Levante at home last weekend, Juan Carlos Garrido, had rung the changes both in personel and formation for the visitors.

With Giuseppe Rossi unavailable due a fever and Bruno dropped to the bench in came Mateo Mussachio and Javier Matilla. Garrido also changed from his normal 4-4-2 to a defensive 4-2-3-1.

The consequnce of these changes was that the visitors were even more narrow than normal with Cani and Cazorla the wide players in midfield coming inside into an already crowded midfield area. Up front Nilmar was isolated without his usual partner in Rossi and continued to look very rusty on the ball following his recovery from injury.

In contrast Depor were good on the break, utilised the space the worked well and could have added to their solitary goal.

The home side should have been ahead of the half hour when Adrián got in behind a slow Villarreal backline but was denied by Diego Lopez; Riki firing another chance on the rebound wildly over the bar.

Without their normal fluidity, Villarreal only looked dangerous from set-pieces. Gonzalo’s header saved by Aranzubia their best effort of the first-half.

Depor eventually took the lead on the hour mark. Antonio Tomas’s deep free-kick was won well by Juan Rodriguez but questions must be asked of a static Villarreal defence who allowed Lopo acres to room to slide in ahead of Lopez for the vital touch.

Moments later Carlos Marchena was lucky to stay on the field for a foul more than worthy of a second yellow card. The home crowd’s mood not helped when Garrido immediately subbbed the World Cup winner for the returning Marcos Senna to ensure he didn’t see red.

Rodriguez tested Lopez again with a fierce drive from distance and had a goal marginally ruled out for offside as the home side continued to dominate.

Villarreal’s response was poor and again came closest in the second period via a set-piece. Senna’s wicked delivery found substitute Marco Ruben with a free header but he headed over.

Overall a fine win for Depor who move up to 14th, three points clear of the relegation zone. For Villarreal, two chances from set-pieces says it all, thier creative cogs never got going and they now look under threat from Athletic Bilbao for that fourth Champions League place.

Match Report: Villarreal 0 Levante 1

FT: Villarreal 0 – Levante 1 (Valdo 47)

Levante produced one of the shocks of the season to defeat local rivals Villarreal 1-0 at El Madrigal.

Valdo scored the only goal for the visitors who fully merited only their second away win of the season against a lethargic and extremely disappointing home side.

The hosts welcomed back Brazilian striker Nilmar and Carlos Marchena started at centre-back but both demonstrated a severe lack of match sharpness after long spells out with injury.

Villarreal had come into the game with the league’s second best home record, 10 victories and one draw from 11 games, but you couldn’t have guessed which side was going for the Champions League and which was fighting relegation in the opening 20 minutes.

The visitors, inspired by last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Getafe, started very positively. Christian Stuani headed wide and Juanfran was denied by Diego Lopez before Valdo had a goal rightly disallowed for offside.

Villarreal began to get going as the half went on, Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar beginning to get their partnership back up and running, and it was some good link-up play between the two that created the home side’s first real opportunity. Gustavo Munua in the Levante goal doing exceptionally well to parry Rossi’s volley.

Levante started the second-half like they had the first and used their pace up front to particularly good effect. Stuani got in behind the struggling centre-back pairing of Marchena and Gonzalo but his chip didn’t quite have the legs to arch over the giant frame of Lopez. However, less than a minute later the visitors deservedly had their lead. This time it was Valdo who left Marchena in his wake to round Lopez and fire high into the empty net.

The reaction from Villarreal following the goal was particularly disappointing for those that have seen them shine this season. Levante did exceptionally well to maintain their pressure on the ball high up the field, particularly on Bruno and Borja Valero in the midfield. This had the major advantage of asphyxiating the service that those two normally provide for Cani and Cazorla ahead of them. Consequently Rossi and Nilmar didn’t get the normal, accurate balls into the channels to run into or even allow the front two to get involved in the intricate play around the box that the yellow submarine have used to such great effect at home this season. Moreover, the Villareal full-backs, Joan Capdevila and Mario, (their only source of width given how narrow Cani and Cazorla play) didn’t provide the attacking threat they have done regularly this term.

Indeed, recognising the dual problems of Marchena’s lack of pace being exposed and the disappointing performance of his full-backs, Juan Carlos Garrido substituted Marchena and Capdevila and moved Mario to centre-back with Cicinho coming on to play at right-back.

Yet, the changes made no real effect as remarkably Villarreal didn’t register a single shot on target in the second-half.

Levante should have made the game safe on a number of occasions but a combination of a lack of composure and confidence saw promising counter-attacks wasted time after time. The impressive Xavi Torres coming closest on 73 minutes when his low effort forced Lopez into a smart save.

Those being critical of Levante’s display would rightfully say that they managed to destroy the spectacle with constant tactical fouling and time-wasting. Problem was that Villarreal’s performance meant there was no spectacle to destroy. A rare off night for Garrido’s men costing them the chance to close the gap on Real Madrid to just three points.

Levante won’t care about that or indeed any criticism of how they went about their business. A second consecutive victory allowing them to climb to within one point of safety.

Match Report: Villarreal 2 Real Sociedad 1

FT: Villarreal 2 (Rossi 40, 47) - Real Sociedad 1 (Aranburu 30)

Villareal kept up their excellent home record this season with a 2-1 win over fellow entertainers Real Sociedad.

Giuseppe Rossi was the key man with a goal either side of half-time but the yellow submarines comeback owed a lot to the returning Santi Cazorla.

The visitors had started brightly with Joseba Llorente looking particularly dangerous against his former club. At the other end Cazorla was the main creator and he nearly broke the deadlock on 12 minutes with a trademark sweet strike that just missed the target. The Spanish international's influence even more important given that Cani was slightly below par, adopting a shoot on sight policy a little too often after his stunning strike from the halfway line last weekend.

Further forward Rossi was his usual busy self dropping deep and wide to provide an option. However, his manager, Juan Carlos Garrido, will be hoping for quick return to action for Nilmar as the pair's combination play has not been replicated in recent weeks with Marco Ruben in the side. The Argentine hasn't done badly, indeed he has scored in four consecutive appearances before Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey, but he also appears to be tiring after his first extended run in the side.

The influence of Cazorla, Borja Valero (who put in another solid display) and Bruno also helped to minimise the threat of La Real's two outstanding performers this season, Xabi Prieto and Antoine Griezmann. However, the visitors did take the lead, slightly against the run of play, on the half hour. Daniel Estrada's deep cross from the right was headed back across goal by Llorente and Mikel Aranburu guided a wonderful header, high past the right hand of Diego Lopez.

The lead only lasted 10 minutes thanks to wonderful play from Cazorla. The Asturian robbing the ball from Markel Bergara before driving forward and playing a wonderfully weighted pass through the heart of the defence for Rossi to smash home.

The two were at it again two minutes after the break to give the hosts the lead. Cazorla again showing his aggressive side to win the ball 40 yards from goal, the ball through again spectacular to allow the Italian striker to get the vital touch over the on-rushing Claudio Bravo.

However, to eulogise Cazorla's passing in the build up is in no way meant to denigrate Rossi's finishing ,on both occasions, was exceptional. His two goals taking his tally for the season to 19. The American born Italian has been one of the players of the season so far and would almost certainly be the first name on the teamsheet of a non Barcelona or Real-Madrid XI of the season so far...oh wait, bugger, our bad.

Rossi's second was to be the end of the scoring but it was by no means the end of the action. Cazorla rattled the woodwork before Jeffrey Sarpong was booked for diving - replays showing that the Dutchman had a good case for a penalty and was extremely unlucky to see a yellow card.

The Basque side threw everyone forward in an attempt to salvage a point but in truth they only succeeded in opening up spaces for Villarreal on the counter-attack who could have added to their slender advantage.

There was even more good news for the yellow submarine with the return of World Cup winner Carlos Marchena for the final quarter.

Victory for Garrido's men sees them move back above Valencia into third place in the table. It may even allow the coach to justify his somewhat bizarre selection for the return leg of the Copa Del Rey quarter-final against Sevilla. With financial pressures to take account of it is of far more importance for the yellow submarine to guarantee Champions League qualification for next season. However, I will not be the sole onlooker who feels slightly robbed at not seeing another two games between Real Madrid and Villarreal in the semi-finals.

Defeat for La Real sees them slip back into the pack in mid-table, still five points adrift of a Europa League qualification spot.

Match Report: Sevilla 3 Villarreal 0

FT: Sevilla 3 (Renato 7, Kanoute 47, Alexis 50) - Villarreal 0

Sevilla secured their passage into the Copa Del Rey semi-finals with a comfortable 6-3 aggregate win over Villarreal.

Both managers surprised many onlookers with their line-ups, Gregorio Manzano and Juan Carlos Garrido taking the opportunity to rest some of their star names. Sevilla made four changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Espanyol at the weekend. The most striking omission being that of Jesús Navas, while Sergio Sánchez made his long-awaited return after 13 months out with heart problems. Garrido handed a first start to Cicinho at right-back and surprisingly left Marco Rubén and Bruno on the bench, Jefferson Montero starting on the right side of midfield with Mateo Musacchio in the centre and Jozy Altidore up front alongside Giuseppe Rossi.

That two sides in the top half of La Liga that should be looking for cup success should choose to field weakened teams is a sad reflection, not just on the Copa Del Rey, but on the whole atmosphere surrounding Spanish football. It is more likely that instead of simply prioritising upcoming league and Europa League fixtures both managers saw the likelihood of facing Real Madrid over two-legs in the semi-finals and a potential final against Barcelona as such a daunting task that qualification to the last four does not possess the excitement that it should do.

However, Manzano’s changes ultimately proved inspired. With Sánchez offered the extra protection of Alexis and Fernando Navarro either side of him in a back three, Sevilla switched to a 3-5-2. It was a system that certainly suited Martin Cáceres who was extremely dangerous moving forward from right wing-back.

In contrast Villarreal never really got to grips with the game and looked understandably disjointed. Cani and Borja Valero were unable to exert the influence in midfield that they had in recent weeks and Montero and Altidore did little to boost their chances of further first team action.

The pattern of play was set by an early goal for the hosts. Mouhamadou Dabo played the ball across from the left and Renato was on hand to make sure Álvaro Negredo’s flick over Diego López crossed the line.

Negredo could have added a second five minutes later but headed wide from Cáceres’ excellent cross. Both goalkeepers then ensured the scoreline remained 1-0 at half-time. Firstly, Sevilla’s Javi Varas, deputising for injured captain Andrés Palop, tipped Gonzalo’s header onto the bar before denying Rossi with a wonderful save after Altidore’s only major contribution to the game had sent the Italian through. At the other end, López parried Koffi Romaric’s fierce drive before snatching the loose ball at Negredo’s feet.

However, the Galician’s efforts were to no avail as Sevilla put the tie to bed with two goals within five minutes of the second-half. Villarreal’s propensity to give up goals at set-pieces has been cruelly exposed in recent weeks and it was their Achilles heel here as well. First, Freddie Kanouté thundered home his 13th goal of the season from Romaric’s corner. And three minutes later the Ivorian’s delivery found Alexis, who was credited with the goal despite the fact that Villarreal defender Jose Mauel Catalá appeared to get the final touch.

From then on the tie was over but Garrido’s strange decision making continued as he introduced Marco Rubén and Bruno with little under half an hour remaining.

Negredo should have capped a fine performance with a goal but blazed over having been played in by Kanouté.

Overall, it was another satisfactory night in the cup for the holders - a win that should also ease the pressure of Manzano. A sixth Copa Del Rey success should be a formality. After all, it’s only Real and Barca that stand in the way.

Match Preview: Sevilla v Villarreal

Villarreal head to the Sánchez Pizjuán this evening knowing that, realistically, anything less than a victory will see their bid for a first Copa Del Rey crown slip away.

Sevilla’s recovery from a 3-1 deficit last week to grab a 3-3 draw has given the holders the upper hand but the result is far from a foregone conclusion.

Sevilla have struggled mightily on home soil this season – Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Espanyol their fourth at home this term. Moreover, even without the injured Nilmar, Villarreal have been in fine scoring form in recent weeks, averaging three goals a game in their last five outings. The visitors’ also have a great record in second-legs having drawn the first-leg at home, winning the tie 43% of the time – including in the only previous meeting of these two sides in the 1998-99 season.

However, there is some cause for optimism amongst Los Rojiblancos in Villarreal’s mounting injury problems. Long term absentees Carlos Marchena, Marcos Senna and Ángel López along with Nilmar are joined by Santi Cazorla for the second straight game. With Bruno also a doubt there will be a great responsibility on the in-form Cani to supply Marco Rubén and Giuseppe Rossi up front. Juan Carlos Garrido is also likely to give youth its chance with Javier Matilla set to deputise for Cazorla and Mario to retain his place ahead of new signing Cicinho at right-back.

The finely balanced nature of the tie also presents Sevilla managers, Gregorio Manzano, with a dilemma. Often when sides only require a draw at home in the second-leg of a two-legged tie there is the temptation to play slightly negatively.

Given Villarreal’s threat on the counter-attack Manzano may be tempted to play a patient, waiting game hoping for the opportunity to spring Jesús Navas and Diego Perotti on the break. Yet, given his leaky defence and the form of Freddie Kanouté and Álvaro Negredo since the return of Navas after the winter break, it is a tactic I would avoid.

For all of Villarreal’s good play in recent weeks their propensity to concede goals has been exposed – they have conceded 11 goals across the same five game period.

Sevilla would be well advised to put their best foot forward to expose the visitors’ weaknesses and return to the Copa Del Rey semi-finals for the fourth time in five years.

Probable Line-ups

Sevilla: Varas, Navarro, Escudé, Alexis, Dabo, Perotti, Romaric, Zokora, Navas, Kanouté, Negredo

Villarreal: Juan Carlos, Oriol, Catalá, Gonzalo, Mario, Cani, Bruno, Borja, Matilla, Marco Rubén, Rossi

Match Report: Villarreal 4 Osasuna 2

FT: Villarreal 4 (Marco Ruben 21, Cani 50, Capdevila 65, Gonzalo 83) Osasuna 2 (Vadocz 47, Calleja 70)

Villarreal were involved in a fourth successive six goal thriller as they defeated permanently poor travellers Osasuna 4-2 at El Madrigal.

After a shaky start the hosts looked to be on course to comfortably register their ninth win from ten home league games this season when Marco Ruben, again deputising for the injured Nilmar, scored his fourth goal in four games on 21 minutes. Borja Valero the creator with a wonderful flighted cross from the left

Thereafter Villarreal largely controlled the first-half. Even without the influential Santi Cazorla their midfield again flowed and could have added more to the scoresheet with Cani being denied by Ricardo just on half-time.

However, the visitors who haven’t won away all season and won only six league games in two and a half years under coach Jose Antionio Camacho, started the second-half with a flourish and were level within two minutes. On a night when set-pieces proved crucial Javier Camuñas’ corner was nodded in at the near post by Krisztian Vadocz.

Then came the moment that this game will be remembered for. After the ball broke loose on the half-way line Cani - who had adopted a shot on sight policy all evening – used that tactic to stunning effect as he drilled the ball over Ricardo in the Osasuna goal from dead on halfway. Forget David Beckham or Xabi Alonso this was the purest strike of a ball that found the net from the halfway line I have ever seen.

Joan Capdevila added a third for the hosts from a Valero corner with 25 minutes remaining. Yet, again Osasuna punished a lack of concentration in the Villarreal defence to get back in the game five minutes later. Camuñas turning excellently, despite being surrounded by three yellow shirted defenders, before laying the ball across for Javier Calleja to volley home his first goal for the club.

Villarreal made the game safe seven minutes from time as Osasuna failed to learn their lesson from the Capedvila goal allowing Gonzalo a free header from another Valero corner. All the more frustrating for los rojillos fans will be that both goals could easily have been avoided by placing a defender on the back post.

Overall it was another successful evening for the hosts who stretched their lead over Valencia to five points. Moreover, for all the genius of Messi and Ronaldo, the yellow submarine they may already have sown up goal of the season after Cani’s majestic finish.

At the other end of the table another fruitless road trip allied to victories for Sporting and Zaragoza leave Osasuna only two points above the drop zone.

Real Madrid 4 Villarreal 2

FT: Real Madrid 4 (Ronaldo 8, 45 (+1) & 78, Kaka 80) – Villarreal 2 (Cani 6, Marco Ruben 17)






Real Madrid kept up the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga with an enthralling 4-2 win over Villarreal.

Not for the first time this season Los Merengues had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for the victory. The Portuguese bagging his fourth hat-trick at the Bernabéu this season, his second in consecutive home games, as Real twice came from behind to move 11 points clear of their opponents.

The game began at a blistering pace with three goals inside the first 20 minutes. Villarreal in particular had begun with real attacking intent and could have been ahead within the first minute. The outstanding Santi Cazorla making room for a shot that Sergio Ramos deflected away for a corner. However, the opening goal did arrive for the visitors only five minutes later. In a similar move to the one that cut the Valencia defence open for Villarreal’s third goal on Wednesday night, Cazorla played the ball inside to Giuseppe Rossi who spun before laying the ball into Cani. The Spaniard lifting the ball perfectly over Iker Casillas into the far corner.

The hosts responded immediately. Again good build-up play involving Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil found the German free on the right side of the penalty area before he squared for Ronaldo to fire into an empty net.

In a frantic end to end encounter Rossi had a good penalty appeal turned down after a clumsy challenge from Xabi Alonso on 15 minutes. Two minutes later the visitors were back in front. Cani this time playing provider as he cut open a static Real defence with a pass through the middle for Marco Ruben. The Argentine, only starting in the absence of Nilmar through injury, was calmness personified with a finish so delicate and precise it was as if he had used a sand-wedge to flight the ball over the on-rushing Casillas.

Cazorla then had a goal rightly ruled out for offside but Jose Mourinho’s men were in severe danger of losing what could have been a critical third goal. As he admitted afterwards 3-1 would have been a fairer reflection of the first-half showing from both sides.

The interesting tactical point of Villarreal’s approach was not even their boldness in ruthlessly attacking Real in a way no visiting team has at the Bernabéu so far this season. Rather it was the style with which they implemented this attacking intent. By using Cani and Cazorla in extremely narrow positions, they attempted to replicate Barcelona’s short passing style in midfield by using the four of Bruno, Borja Valero, Cani and Cazorla against the Real two of Lassana Diarra and Alonso. This put great responsibility of Joan Capdevilla and Angel Lopez to provide width from the full-back positions – a strain that eventually told in the second-half.

Crucially Real managed to go in level at half-time - again thanks to Ronaldo. This time stealing in ahead of Diego Lopez to nod in an Alonso free-kick thirty seconds before the break.

Eager to avoid a first home league defeat in nearly eight years, Mourinho made two significant changes at half-time. Firstly, he replaced Diarra with the more composed Sammi Khedira and also moved Raul Albiol, who had endured a torrid first-half, to right-back with Ramos moving into central defence.

The changes paid off as Real enjoyed much more control of the game in the second period. Villarreal by contrast appeared to wilt - partly due to the after effects of their stunning comeback against Valencia in midweek and also due to the sheer intensity they had played with in the first-half.

Lopez denied Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and Benzema within a five minute period as Real searched for the vital third goal. However, when it did arrive there was a touch of fortune. Kaka, who had replaced Albiol with 20 minutes remaining, swung over a cross towards a seemingly offside Di Maria. Lopez parried both the Argentine’s header and Ronaldo’s rebound but when the ball fell back to the Portuguese striker he made no mistake to complete the perfect hat-trick of right-foot, header and left-foot.

The decision not to give offside was one too far for Villarreal manager, Juan Carlos Garrido, who was sent to the stands for his protestations. He later claimed that only in the second-half did he realise how hard it was to win at the Bernabeu as the referees are scared to give decisions against the home side and that there had been not just one but two offside decisions missed in the lead up to Real’s third goal.

Kaka finished the game as a contest with ten minutes remaining. Again Ronaldo was heavily involved as he laid the ball into the path of the Brazilian to slide past Lopez. It was a sweet moment for the world’s second most expensive player as it was only his second appearance following a six month lay-off through injury. However, it caused more consternation on the touchline as Mourinho celebrated exuberantly in front of the Villarreal bench. The visiting players were so up in arms that Cani even through a water bottle at the Portuguese coach who, in his own inimitable style, later claimed he was merely celebrating with his son who always sits behind the opposition dugout. Sound ridiculous? Well, not as ridiculous as the fact that Mourinho has now gone 145 home league games unbeaten. Think that is ridiculous? How about the fact that Ronaldo’s three goals took his tally to 23 in 18 league games this season, 31 in all competitions for club and country.

La Liga may suffer from a lack of competition but with every passing week the feeling that we are witnessing something truly historic gets more profound. In Messi and Ronaldo we are not just watching two players at the top of their game, we are not even just watching the two best players in the world, we are watching two of the best players ever going head-to-head every week in a manner that no league has ever witnessed.

The price to pay for watching such mastery is witnessing mere mortals being put to the slaughter on a weekly basis. Villarreal provide a rare glimpse of hope. My favourite game of this season was the yellow submarine’s trip to the Camp Nou – a match of unparalleled intensity and technical ability. Tonight’s offering was my second favourite. As Sid Lowe stated after Villarreal’s 3-1 defeat in the Camp Nou, there is no doubt that this is a two-horse race but the third horse is no donkey. Garrido’s men proved that again this evening. It would be no surprise if the best two games remaining this season come when the big two visit El Madrigal.

Match Report Villarreal 4 Valencia 2

FT:Villarreal 4 (Cazorla 47, Rossi 50 & 90+3, Marco Ruben 63) – Valencia 2 (Banega 5, Soldado 23)

Villarreal produced a stunning second-half fightback to defeat local rivals Valencia 4-2 and qualify for the Copa Del Rey quarter-finals.

A brace from Italian international Guiseppe Rossi allied to goals from Marco Ruben and Santi Cazorla saw the hosts overcome a two goal half-time deficit.

Both managers signalled their intent from the start by fielding strong sides. Villarreal making only the one alteration from the 2-0 victory over Almeria on Monday. Valencia manager, Unai Emery, meanwhile persisted with his usual rotation policy, making four changes.

However, that one change to the Villarreal line-up, Juan Carlos starting in goal ahead of Diego Lopez, cost the hosts the opening goal on five minutes. Ever Banega, also restored to the Valencia starting eleven, struck the ball fiercely from 25 yards but the keeper will have been disappointed in only succeeding to palm the ball into the net.

The early goal was the best possible outcome for the neutral, forcing Villarreal onto the front foot, needing two goals following the 0-0 draw in the first leg, in what became an exciting end-to-end encounter.

Yet, in contrast to many of Villarreal’s home games this season their midfield four struggled to keep possession in the first-half, allowing Valencia to counter-attack with ease. Juan Mata and Jaoquin were looking particularly dangerous and both could have added to the visitors lead before the second goal did eventually arrive.

Roberto Soldado, who had also previously gone close two occasions, beautifully controlling Maduro’s cross-field pass before flicking the ball beyond Juan Carlos with the outside of his right foot.

However, a new Villarreal appeared after the break, determined to protect their unbeaten home record this season, and within five minutes they were back on level terms. Firstly, Rossi crossed from the left edge of the 18-yard box for the late-arriving Cazorla to tap home and then, after Stankevicius had felled Marco Ruben, the Italian coolly converted from the penalty spot.

And the hosts were ahead in the game and the tie 15 minutes later with a move that epitomised the change in the pattern of play in the second period. Cani and Cazorla tearing the Valencia backline to shreds with a wonderful one-two before the former squared for Marco Ruben to fire into an empty goal.

By this point the visitors appeared shell-shocked - unable to recover the control they had enjoyed in the first period. In particular, once Valencia fell behind their dependence on the counter-attack was badly exposed with even Banega and Mata unable to break down the Villarreal defence.

Rossi put Los Che out of their misery in stoppage time with a fourth goal. Played through by Joan Oriol, Rossi rounded the keeper before steadying himself to slot home.

The yellow submarine now move on to Sunday’s clash between second and third at the Bernabeu with a massive spring in their step.

Match Report Villarreal 2 Almeria 0

Villarreal 2 (Catala 22, Valero 58) – Almeria 0

Villarreal continued their excellent home form with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Almeria.

The yellow submarine moved five points clear in third place thanks to a goal either side of the break from Jose Manuel Catala and Borja Valero.

The home side controlled the game throughout with the excellent quartet of Valero, Santi Cazorla, Cani and Bruno dominating the midfield. Up front, the absence of top scorer Nilmar was occasionally apparent as his replacement Marco Ruben failed to replicate the intricate link-up play that the Brazilian and his strike-partner Guiseppe Rossi have shown so far this season. However, the Argentine did show enough in patches to suggest that manager Juan Carlos Garrido shouldn’t feel the need to rush back Nilmar from his recovery after knee surgery earlier this week.

Following a disjointed opening Villareal took control. Cazorla tested Diego Alves, once again Almeria’s outstanding performer, with a fierce drive form the edge of the area before the opening goal arrived on 22 minutes.

Valero fired over a beautifully dipping free-kick from the left and, with three Villareal players waiting to apply the final touch, Catala headed in off the bar.

Rossi nearly doubled the lead but was denied by Alves five minutes before half-time, while at the other end Diego Lopez had to be alert to save from a Miguel Angel Corona free-kick.

In the second-half the hosts sat back a little more, allowing Almeria more possession but with only Kalu Uche leading the attack the visitors lacked any real cutting edge. Indeed despite having less of the ball it was no surprise when Villarreal doubled their lead. The goal again came from a Borja Valero free-kick, this time a direct shot, that floated over the wall and in off Alves’ right-hand post.

Alves again denied Cazorla and Rossi with excellent saves but to no avail as the hosts ran out comfortable winners.

Victory moved Villarreal back five points ahead of fourth-placed Valencia while Almeria remain marooned in the relegation zone.