Villarreal’s Struggles in the Copa del Rey

Villarreal CF, under the leadership of Fernando Roig, has encountered ongoing difficulties in the Copa del Rey, a tournament that has become a significant source of frustration for the club. Throughout its history, Villarreal has reached the semifinals only once, a reflection of its struggles to advance further in this competition. Each season brings renewed disappointment, solidifying a troubling pattern that has yet to yield a final appearance.

The last significant achievement for Villarreal in the Copa del Rey came during the 2020-21 season, when the team reached the quarterfinals. Since then, the club has faced a string of setbacks, repeatedly falling short in their quest for cup success despite possessing considerable potential.

Villarreal’s growth over the years is apparent, as the club ascended from lower divisions to establish itself in European football and eventually compete in the Champions League. Their pursuit of an official title was realized with the Europa League triumph in the 2020-21 season. However, the Copa del Rey remains a daunting challenge, marked by a series of notable failures against clubs from lower divisions, including defeats to Ponferradina, Unionistas, Mirandés (twice), Palamós, and Hércules, with the most recent disappointment being a loss to Racing de Santander, a Segunda División team.

These losses against lower-tier opponents underscore the stark contrast between Villarreal’s potential and its performance in this tournament, where the club has struggled to make a significant impact. The pinnacle of their Copa del Rey journey occurred in the 2014-15 season, when they reached the semifinals, but this achievement highlights an overall record that is particularly disappointing, especially given Villarreal’s status as a leading team in the past decade.

Villarreal’s early participation in the Copa del Rey dates back to the early 1970s with the Copa del Generalísimo. Following a period of inactivity, the club began to establish itself in professional football in the 1990s, embarking on a long journey in the competition that has ultimately yielded unsatisfactory results.