Villarreal touches the sky

First Europa League to the showcase, passport to the next Champions League and extra prize with the European Super Cup on August 11. Never a triumph had so much value. And despite the reward, collected on penalties after 22 shots and a save from Rulli to De Gea, never the material weighed so little on the unforgettable night in Gdansk. In the epic victory of Villarreal, a yellow rocket, against Manchester United, a red devil, what is truly shocking is, was and will be the popular magnitude of such priceless joy. A pinch to the soul of Spanish football at the height, and with greater difficulty, by the way, than earthquakes such as the Seventh of Real Madrid, the first European Cup culé in Wembley or, closer to the earth, the dictatorship of Seville in this competition. Milestones that serve as a likeness on this occasion to recognize that the Submarine has not only made an entire town cry with happiness but also has definitely changed the course of its history. It is legend. Lindelöf is still looking for Gerard. And we, celebrating. The Conference League, which these heroes were devoted to, can wait another year.

Gerard's goal (29 ') after a masterful foul by Parejo served to ignite the spark. They could not be others. The forward has 30 goals this season and 11 assists, proving that he is a brilliant midfielder and insatiable center forward. Normal that he is going to be the forward of the National Team in the Eurocup and be a pop idol of The resistance. The midfielder is the confirmation that his career is far above his fame. Di Stefano knew about this. However, the triumph began to cook on Emery's slate. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of his team, and those of United, he set up a slow-burning match, even losing time in the 15th minute as if rehearsing for the extra time that later came, forgetting the pressure in the opposite field to press the lines in a single field room. The speed of Rashford and Greenwood demanded a plan without meters behind the defense. And although at first the nerves and an accident in Foyth made one fear the worst, the Submarine gradually recovered itself on the back of Pau and at the gallop of Yeremy, two children, to shake off an English dominance that did not materialize at times. A cross from Shaw and an own shot from Albiol. There was no more to Solskjaer's despair in those first forty-five minutes. Cavani spurred without biting, while Pogba and Bruno Fernandes were overwhelmed without gaps amid so much yellow fury.

The restart showed us a more self-confident Villarreal and a much more overwhelmed and nervous United. Unlike the Castellón team, they already had the Champions League in hand via the Premier. However, he has been losing pace for so many years that his future is already and the stress of making up time eats away at him. Without Maguire, he suffered at the start, and the strategy of seating Fred didn't seem to pay off much either. Emery could also read that anxiety. Because Unai is a coach, you know, but he might as well have had a palmistry consultation. Four European League are no coincidence. He maintained the initial strategy, reinforced by passion where fatigue was already appearing. Until an isolated play in the 55th minute, a corner kick from McTominay from the left, ended in a shot from the edge of Rashford and an opportunistic action by Cavani in the scrum. Draw, stick to Villarreal and vitamin for United.

Emery then began to move his bench, removing Bacca, wandering, by Coquelin's three lungs. If anyone was missed it was Chukwueze (injured) with his snatches. The Submarine appreciated the decision. He felt at times with a shield that he lacked in the face of the impotent physique of his adversary, who unsuccessfully claimed a penalty of those in fashion. Villarreal's problem is that he started the night behind by strategy and conviction and ended the ninety minutes in the same forced starting place and out of frustration. Luckily in the extension he was resurrected. Cavani was able to finish him off in the 72nd minute. Villarreal needed air, and football was already passing by. So Moi and Alcácer made an appearance. A gamer and a matador. Later the sides were renewed. United, on the other hand, had faith in their starting eleven or fear to make adjustments. His first substitutions came within one hundred minutes. And he paid for it. He went from commanding to obeying. Luckily, the VAR did not estimate a maximum penalty for Gerard's headshot in the 114 '. Penalties condemned him. They ran out of starting pitchers and Villarreal took advantage of it, bringing out Rulli's powers in the face-to-face match against De Gea. It took 22 penalties, but it was worth reaching midnight with your heart in your mouth.

It was moving to see so much cañí joy in these times of misfortune and to see the title rise to the air. Successes have many more parents than stumbles. Roig, who had to watch the final from home for another whim of the coronavirus, Llaneza, Emery, Pau, Albiol (Luis Enrique, think about it), Parejo and Gerard they have made more headlines than anyone else. Their work has cost them for some or other benefits and adventures. But it would be convenient to remember all those coaches, players and club workers who rowed at the time to insist without fainting until they reached Poland, in the shoes of others, but with the same heartbeat. Seeing Bruno in the stadium dressed in civilian clothes and not in shorts was hard, exciting and healing. Because, in this same order, he was close to lifting that title and did not succeed, because he cheered without envy as if he had never retired and because, after all, what was seen against Manchester United was the public and notorious act of the A dreamed alternative to his heirs: his exemplary legacy continues on the legs of Pau and those of those 12 other homegrown players who are the heroes with Rulli of a humble people, the standard bearers of a proud country before the tyranny of the Premier and the envy of the whole world.