The team managed by Íñigo Pérez has yet to secure a victory in the first four domestic league matches, with two draws and two losses. This negative balance has affected the squad's morale, who see the European debut as a crucial opportunity to reverse the situation and regain lost confidence.
The clash against Borussia Dortmund, which resulted in a defeat for the Yellow Submarine last season in European competition, presents itself as a chance for redemption. Changing the image presented so far and showing a more solid performance is a priority for the coaching staff, who hope a good result in Germany will alleviate the accumulated pressure and provide momentum for the sporting project.
Regarding absences, the club confirms the definite loss of Argentine defender Juan Foyth, who is suffering from muscular discomfort since the match in Vitoria. His participation in the last league game was already impossible, and now he will also miss the European opener.
The situation of full-back Carlos Romero is more uncertain. The player was not called up last weekend due to unspecified discomfort by the club, which remains cautious about his physical condition. His progress on Monday will be key to determining if he can travel to Germany.
Villarreal's work plan for Monday includes a morning training session at their sports city. Afterwards, the expedition will travel to Dortmund in the early afternoon. The team does not plan to train at the Borussia Dortmund stadium before the match but will attend the pre-match press conferences and familiarize themselves with the venue for their return to the top European club competition.
