Iñigo Pérez prepares changes and a youth player threatens Villarreal's starting XI

Villarreal CF

The calendar starts to tighten up soon for the Villarreal. The Yellow Submarine have five matches in just 15 days ahead of an international break of three weeks, an unusual pause at this stage of the season.

Results still haven't backed the Submarine. Two draws, against Racing and Atlético de Madrid, and a defeat to the Alavés have left the team with fewer points than expected, although the core has already shown some of the traits its coach is looking for.

Doubts in defense and an opportunity for Maciá

In goal, Luiz Junior still has the edge to continue as the league starter. Gulácsi is still waiting for his first big chance, which could come in Dortmund thanks to his Champions League experience and the context of Signal Iduna Park.

At right back, no major changes are expected. Freeman is pushing, but the initial idea does not seem to vary too much. The situation changes in the center of the back line: Foyth is carrying knocks, he hasn't trained with the group during the week, and everything indicates he won't be available. That absence would open the door for Logan Costa or Pau Navarro, who are still waiting to make their minutes. Renato Veiga, reliable in this start to the campaign, points again to the XI, while Carlos Romero has the advantage on the left after playing everything so far.

The midfield is also where much of the attention is focused. Carlos Maciá has made the most of his first appearances with the first team and is already shaping up as a real option to start. If Iñigo Pérez decides to give him a spot, Comesaña or Gueye appear as the names with the most options to miss out, with Saliba and Diattá one step below in the fight for minutes.

In attack, Nicolas Pepe keeps his status as an important right-wing piece, while Ilias Akhomach continues to look for space. On the left, Buchanan was a starter in Vitoria, although Moleiro is set to try to reclaim the spot against the Deportivo.

The three-quarter line leaves another relevant question mark. Gerard Moreno could have a say in a match in which Villarreal expect to dominate possession more, but only one of him and Ayoze seems to have a place in the starting XI. Up front, Mikautadze starts ahead of Oluwaseyi, who would be waiting for his moment from the bench.

La Cerámica will be the setting where Iñigo Pérez resolves his main doubts this Saturday at 19:30, with Villarreal already in their first tough stretch of the season and needing to start turning good feelings into results.