{"match":{"id":768843,"locale":"en","date":"2025-10-21T19:00:00.000Z","status":"fixture","winner":null,"stb_id":"2025-10-21-19-00-00-villarreal-cf-vs-manchester-city-fc","score_a":0,"score_b":0,"broadcast_link":null,"after_broadcast_link":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"has_odds":null,"has_h2h":true,"has_overview":null,"has_statistics":false,"has_lineups":false,"has_predictions":null,"interesting_facts_team_a_html":null,"interesting_facts_team_b_html":null,"team_a":{"id":50424,"name":"Villarreal CF","short_name":"Villarreal","tla_name":"VIL","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Villarreal Club de Fútbol","founded":1923,"colors":"Yellow,Blue","nicknames":"El Submarino Amarillo","createdAt":"2024-11-05T10:36:58.171Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-11T23:21:14.127Z","website":"http://www.villarrealcf.es","address":"Camino Miralcamp, s/n","address_city":"Villarreal","address_zip":"12540","locale":"en","stb_id":"villarreal-cf","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## \"Villarreal\": interesting facts about the football club\n\n**\"Villarreal\"** is a football club from the **small Spanish town of Villarreal** in **Valencia**. The team was founded in **1923**, but it was **really loudly** talked about only in **the last decade**.\n\nThis is an example of a club that **without high-profile transfers** and crazy popularity was able to **establish itself among the strongest teams** of Spain and Europe. They are used to **developing players** here, not buying ready-made stars. And this is **the peculiarity of the \"yellow submarine\"**.\n\n> \"Villarreal is proof that smart strategy and patience can beat any big budget.\"","sporting_achievements":"## History of \"Villarreal\"\n\n**The first half-century** the club played mainly in the **regional and lower Spanish divisions**. **\"Villarreal\"** was almost **unheard of outside the province**. Only in **1998** did the team enter **La Liga** for the first time, but were relegated after **one season**.\n\n**The return took place** already in **2000** — and from that time **another story** began. The club began to work for the result, but **in no hurry**. I bet on **stability**, on the search for **talented players**, and it produced its **effect**.\n\n**In the 2005/06** season, the team reached the **Champions League semi-finals** — **no one expected it**, but **\"Villarreal\"** already knew how to surprise. And in **2021** the club won the **Europa League**, beating **Manchester United** in the final.\n\n> \"It was the first major trophy in the history of the club - a well-deserved victory after many years of consistent work.\"","club_identity":"## Villarreal Stadium\n\nThe team plays its matches at the **Estadio de la Ceramica** — a **comfortable arena** that holds a little more than **23 thousand spectators**. It used to be called **El Madrigal**, but it was renamed in honor of **the main industry of the city** — **ceramics production**.\n\n**This stadium** is **not about luxury**, but **about emotion**. The stands here are **close to the field**, the atmosphere is **homey and hot**. The town is small, and when **Villarreal** plays at home, **the whole district goes to football**.\n\n## Achievements of \"Villarreal\"\n\nThe club **doesn't have the same trophy history** as the Spanish giants, but has achieved a lot in **recent years**:\n\n* **Europa League (2020/21)** — **first international trophy** in the history of the club.\n* **Champions League semi-finals (2005/06, 2021/22)** — **sensational performances** that made Europe **pay attention**.\n* **La Liga Silver (2007/08)** — **highest place** in the Spanish Championship.\n* **Victory over the European giants** — **\"Arsenal\", \"Bavaria\", \"Juventus\"** repeatedly left **with nothing**.\n\n> \"For a city with a population of only 50,000, this is a real football breakthrough.\"","current_status_and_future":"## Famous players of \"Villarreal\"\n\nThe club **did not buy famous names**, but often brought **future stars** to the world stage:\n\n1. **Riquelme** is a player who gave the team **style and fantasy** in the center of the field.\n\n2. **Forlan** — in **\"Villarreal\"** became **the best scorer in La Liga**.\n\n3. **Cazorla** is a symbol of **sophisticated football** and **loyalty to the club**.\n\n4. **Rossi** is a striker who remained a **fan favorite** for a long time.\n\n5. **Pau Torres** is a **student of the club** who became **the main player in the Spanish national team**.\n\n## Interesting facts about Villarreal\n\n1. **The city of Villarreal** is the **least in Europe** among the participants of the **Champions League semi-finals**.\n\n2. The club received the nickname \"yellow submarine\" for the color of the uniform and the non-standard style of play.\n\n3. **The stadium is named** in honor of the **ceramic industry** — **the main pride of the city**.\n\n4. **In 2012** the team was relegated to **Segunda**, but **returned the following season**.\n\n5. **The club bets** on **students** and **smart management** instead of **star transfers**.\n\n> \"Villarreal reminds us that true greatness is measured not by the size of the city, but by the size of dreams and ambitions.\"\n\n**It is worth noting** that **Villarreal** has become a **model for clubs** from small towns around the world, proving that **smart planning** and **long-term strategy** can compete with **big budgets**. Will the team be able to **consolidate its position** among the **European elite**? One thing can be said for sure - the **spirit of \"Ceramika\"** and the **philosophy of the yellow submarine** make **\"Villarreal\"** a special place where **every player** has a **chance to become a hero** and **every victory** is a **triumph for the whole city**. This is a club that **proves** that in football the **most important thing** is to **believe in your abilities** and **never give up**, regardless of the size of the stadium or the budget.","stb_internal_id":"0192fbe6-2611-7262-a715-453e0f755ce7","overrides":null,"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

\"Villarreal\": interesting facts about the football club

\"Villarreal\" is a football club from the small Spanish town of Villarreal in Valencia. The team was founded in 1923, but it was really loudly talked about only in the last decade.

This is an example of a club that without high-profile transfers and crazy popularity was able to establish itself among the strongest teams of Spain and Europe. They are used to developing players here, not buying ready-made stars. And this is the peculiarity of the \"yellow submarine\".

\n
\"Villarreal is proof that smart strategy and patience can beat any big budget.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

History of \"Villarreal\"

The first half-century the club played mainly in the regional and lower Spanish divisions. \"Villarreal\" was almost unheard of outside the province. Only in 1998 did the team enter La Liga for the first time, but were relegated after one season.

The return took place already in 2000 — and from that time another story began. The club began to work for the result, but in no hurry. I bet on stability, on the search for talented players, and it produced its effect.

In the 2005/06 season, the team reached the Champions League semi-finals — no one expected it, but \"Villarreal\" already knew how to surprise. And in 2021 the club won the Europa League, beating Manchester United in the final.

\n
\"It was the first major trophy in the history of the club - a well-deserved victory after many years of consistent work.\"
\n

\n","club_identity_html":"

Villarreal Stadium

The team plays its matches at the Estadio de la Ceramica — a comfortable arena that holds a little more than 23 thousand spectators. It used to be called El Madrigal, but it was renamed in honor of the main industry of the city — ceramics production.

This stadium is not about luxury, but about emotion. The stands here are close to the field, the atmosphere is homey and hot. The town is small, and when Villarreal plays at home, the whole district goes to football.

Achievements of \"Villarreal\"

The club doesn't have the same trophy history as the Spanish giants, but has achieved a lot in recent years:

Europa League (2020/21) — first international trophy in the history of the club.
Champions League semi-finals (2005/06, 2021/22) — sensational performances that made Europe pay attention.
La Liga Silver (2007/08) — highest place in the Spanish Championship.
Victory over the European giants — \"Arsenal\", \"Bavaria\", \"Juventus\" repeatedly left with nothing.

\n
\"For a city with a population of only 50,000, this is a real football breakthrough.\"
\n

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Famous players of \"Villarreal\"

The club did not buy famous names, but often brought future stars to the world stage:

Riquelme is a player who gave the team style and fantasy in the center of the field.
\n
Forlan — in \"Villarreal\" became the best scorer in La Liga.
\n
Cazorla is a symbol of sophisticated football and loyalty to the club.
\n
Rossi is a striker who remained a fan favorite for a long time.
\n
Pau Torres is a student of the club who became the main player in the Spanish national team.
\n

Interesting facts about Villarreal

The city of Villarreal is the least in Europe among the participants of the Champions League semi-finals.
\n
The club received the nickname \"yellow submarine\" for the color of the uniform and the non-standard style of play.
\n
The stadium is named in honor of the ceramic industry — the main pride of the city.
\n
In 2012 the team was relegated to Segunda, but returned the following season.
\n
The club bets on students and smart management instead of star transfers.
\n

\n
\"Villarreal reminds us that true greatness is measured not by the size of the city, but by the size of dreams and ambitions.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Villarreal has become a model for clubs from small towns around the world, proving that smart planning and long-term strategy can compete with big budgets. Will the team be able to consolidate its position among the European elite? One thing can be said for sure - the spirit of \"Ceramika\" and the philosophy of the yellow submarine make \"Villarreal\" a special place where every player has a chance to become a hero and every victory is a triumph for the whole city. This is a club that proves that in football the most important thing is to believe in your abilities and never give up, regardless of the size of the stadium or the budget.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/747_1486e5dc5f.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_747_1486e5dc5f.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_747_1486e5dc5f.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_747_1486e5dc5f.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_747_1486e5dc5f.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_747_1486e5dc5f.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_747_1486e5dc5f.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}},"current_season":{"stb_id":"2025-2026-3","hasUpcomingMatches":false}},"team_b":{"id":49682,"name":"Manchester City FC","short_name":"Man City","tla_name":"MCI","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Manchester City Football Club","founded":1894,"colors":"Sky Blue,White","nicknames":"City,The Citizens,The Sky Blues","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:40:40.317Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-16T17:40:25.919Z","website":"https://www.mancity.com","address":"SportCity","address_city":"Manchester","address_zip":"M11 3FF","locale":"en","stb_id":"manchester-city-fc","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## Key information about Manchester City\n\nIs it possible to imagine modern football without **Manchester City**? One of the **most powerful teams in the world**, which sets the pace not only in England, but also on the international stage. Founded in **1880**, the club was originally called **St. Mark's**, but already in **1894** received a name that is now thundering around the world.\n\nThe home arena is the legendary **Etihad**, which has become a place for spectacles that make fans go crazy. But the path to success was not as simple as it might seem at first glance.","sporting_achievements":"## Man City: the history of the club\n\nIt all started with a small team that performed at the amateur level. No one at that time could have thought that one day this club would become a **European giant**. In **1937**, the team won the **first championship title**, but a year later it was relegated to the **second division**.\n\nThe following decades were like a see-saw: sometimes successes, sometimes failures. In **1998** the team ended up in the **third division** - it seemed like it was the end. But in **2008** a real revolution took place: the club got **new owners**. Big construction has begun.\n\nCulmination? **2016**, when **Pep Guardiola** took over. What this coach did with the team is hard to describe in words. He **changed the very essence of the game** and now opponents know that playing against City is like running a marathon with weights on your feet.","club_identity":"## Man City: Etihad Stadium\n\nIf anyone thinks that a stadium is just a place where football is played, let them visit **Etihad**. The arena, designed for **53 thousand seats**, creates such an atmosphere that even the most experienced football players feel the pressure.\n\nIt is interesting that initially the stadium was built for the **Olympic Games**, but as a result it became the home of the \"townsmen\". Its uniqueness is in the little things: **perfect lawn**, **unbelievable lighting**, **maximum visibility** from anywhere.\n\n## Man City achievements\n\nYou can talk about titles for a long time, because **Manchester City** has turned into the **main favorite** of almost all tournaments in recent decades.\n\n* **Champion of England** – 9 times\n* **FA Cup** – 6 times\n* **League Cup** – 8 times\n* **UEFA Champions League** – 2023\n* **World Club Championship** – 2023\n\nThese are not just numbers. These are years of **work**, **struggle** and **constant improvement**.","current_status_and_future":"## Man City famous players\n\nIf you've been following football for the past 20 years, you definitely know these names.\n\n* **Sergio Aguero** is the man who made history with his famous goal in 2012.\n* **Kevin De Bruyne** is a footballer who sees the field better than most coaches.\n* **Yaya Toure** is one of those who made the team a champion.\n* **Vincent Kompany** is a captain who held the defense like a rock.\n* **Erling Holland** is a goal-scoring machine.\n\n## Man City: interesting facts\n\n* In **2017/18** Man City became the first team in Premier League history to score **100 points** in a season.\n* **2019** – FA Cup final, where the team destroyed **Watford** 6:0.\n* The most expensive player in the club's history is **Jack Grealish** (100 million pounds).\n* **Guardiola** has brought a new philosophy to the game that makes City virtually invincible.","stb_internal_id":"0192f731-0ae9-7231-8220-e428cfa3fd30","overrides":{"name":"Manchester City FC"},"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

Key information about Manchester City

Is it possible to imagine modern football without Manchester City? One of the most powerful teams in the world, which sets the pace not only in England, but also on the international stage. Founded in 1880, the club was originally called St. Mark's, but already in 1894 received a name that is now thundering around the world.

The home arena is the legendary Etihad, which has become a place for spectacles that make fans go crazy. But the path to success was not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Man City: the history of the club

It all started with a small team that performed at the amateur level. No one at that time could have thought that one day this club would become a European giant. In 1937, the team won the first championship title, but a year later it was relegated to the second division.

The following decades were like a see-saw: sometimes successes, sometimes failures. In 1998 the team ended up in the third division - it seemed like it was the end. But in 2008 a real revolution took place: the club got new owners. Big construction has begun.

Culmination? 2016, when Pep Guardiola took over. What this coach did with the team is hard to describe in words. He changed the very essence of the game and now opponents know that playing against City is like running a marathon with weights on your feet.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Man City: Etihad Stadium

If anyone thinks that a stadium is just a place where football is played, let them visit Etihad. The arena, designed for 53 thousand seats, creates such an atmosphere that even the most experienced football players feel the pressure.

It is interesting that initially the stadium was built for the Olympic Games, but as a result it became the home of the \"townsmen\". Its uniqueness is in the little things: perfect lawn, unbelievable lighting, maximum visibility from anywhere.

Man City achievements

You can talk about titles for a long time, because Manchester City has turned into the main favorite of almost all tournaments in recent decades.

Champion of England – 9 times
FA Cup – 6 times
League Cup – 8 times
UEFA Champions League – 2023
World Club Championship – 2023

These are not just numbers. These are years of work, struggle and constant improvement.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Man City famous players

If you've been following football for the past 20 years, you definitely know these names.

Sergio Aguero is the man who made history with his famous goal in 2012.
Kevin De Bruyne is a footballer who sees the field better than most coaches.
Yaya Toure is one of those who made the team a champion.
Vincent Kompany is a captain who held the defense like a rock.
Erling Holland is a goal-scoring machine.

Man City: interesting facts

In 2017/18 Man City became the first team in Premier League history to score 100 points in a season.
2019 – FA Cup final, where the team destroyed Watford 6:0.
The most expensive player in the club's history is Jack Grealish (100 million pounds).
Guardiola has brought a new philosophy to the game that makes City virtually invincible.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/464_254e88dd65.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/large_avif_464_254e88dd65.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/large_webp_464_254e88dd65.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/small_avif_464_254e88dd65.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/small_webp_464_254e88dd65.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/medium_avif_464_254e88dd65.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/121/medium_webp_464_254e88dd65.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}},"current_season":{"stb_id":"2025-2026-3","hasUpcomingMatches":false}},"round":{"id":24786,"name":"League Phase","type":"table","start_date":"2025-09-16T00:00:00.000Z","end_date":"2026-01-28T00:00:00.000Z","createdAt":"2025-07-08T00:10:09.445Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-08T00:10:10.492Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0197e75e-57cb-77c6-a33a-306e1f5752fc","overrides":null,"season":{"id":12954,"title":"2025/2026","original_name":"UEFA Champions League","start_date":"2025-07-08","end_date":"2026-05-30","createdAt":"2025-06-17T15:00:02.551Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-30T14:41:24.703Z","locale":"en","stb_id":"2025-2026-3","stb_internal_id":"01977e67-80f4-7a72-a795-3d054d61c6da","overrides":null,"has_standings":true,"hasUpcomingMatches":true}},"broadcast_preview":null,"venue":{"id":8979,"name":"Estadio de la Cerámica","city":"Villarreal","address":"Plaza Labrador","address_zip":"12540","opened":1923,"status":"open","nicknames":"Feudo Amarillo,Campo del Villarreal,Camp El Madrigal","geo_latitude":39.9441191808336,"capacity":24500,"surface":"grass","createdAt":"2024-11-04T13:41:37.463Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:40:48.135Z","geo_longitude":-0.10347425937652588,"locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f768-daf1-7cbc-9d59-d6fb14009f25","overrides":null,"area":{"id":10850,"name":"Spain","country_code":"ESP","iso_code":"ES","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:01:27.352Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:39.170Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70d-26b5-7028-974f-d08ae0605e02","overrides":null}}},"league":{"name":"UEFA Champions League","icon":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/497/1159/UEFA_Champions_League_10e402e6ec.svg"},"current_season":{"id":12954,"title":"2025/2026","original_name":"UEFA Champions League","start_date":"2025-07-08","end_date":"2026-05-30","createdAt":"2025-06-17T15:00:02.551Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-30T14:41:24.703Z","locale":"en","stb_id":"2025-2026-3","stb_internal_id":"01977e67-80f4-7a72-a795-3d054d61c6da","overrides":null,"has_standings":true,"hasUpcomingMatches":true},"imgUrl":"https://media.top2u.io/497/1159/UEFA_Champions_League_10e402e6ec.svg","area":{"id":10343,"name":"Europe","country_code":"EUR","iso_code":null,"createdAt":"2024-11-04T11:59:12.049Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:27.477Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70b-1639-7b91-baca-b5f375430636","overrides":null},"stb_id":"uefa-champions-league"}}

Villarreal vs Man City: General