/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2Fsm-azzuu-pep-villarreal-68f68bf4e6cb1048100664.jpg "Villarreal vs Man City: Why UCL clash won’t be easy for Pep Guardiola’s charge")
McInerney, of Esteemed Kompany, notes that while City should be “rightfully be favourites” due to their superior quality and Erling Haaland being in “sensational form” at present, the third-place La Liga side poses a significant threat.
Villarreal, who McInerney says “are third in La Liga, so they’re obviously having a really good start,” are described as a “functional unit” that will “press really hard.”
Crucially, City will travel without key midfielder Rodri and defender Abdukodir Khusanov. The expert believes Villarreal could have “a lot to offer” on home soil, making the absence of the influential duo critical.
Despite the challenges, McInerney concludes: “I think City – with all the options in a sort of resurgent bill of health, certain players back including [Rayan] Cherki and [Omar] Marmoush – I think it’ll help and I’m reasonably confident. Even if I think Villarreal have potentially got a lot to offer I think City should be okay.”