Weakened Villarreal lose to Maccabi

Villarreal made wholesale changes to their starting line-up for their loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv ahead of Sunday’s clash with Barcelona.

Coach Javier Calleja rested several starters for the Yellow Submarine – who had already sealed qualification to the last 32 of the Europa League.

Nick Blackman’s goal on the hour mark won the game for the Israeli side, while Villarreal will be joined by Astana in the knockouts after the Kazakhstani side eliminated Slavia Prague.

It is Villarreal’s first European defeat of the season but they will join Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao as La Liga’s representation in the knockout stages.

Tags Dario Poveda Maccabi Tel Aviv
La Liga - Club News