Marcelino had Spain at his feet.

Two years have passed since the Fire of Marcelino at  Olympique de Marseille . He parted ways with the club within three months of his arrival, citing a “ deplorable situation ” and ” extracurricular reasons .” Now, at 60 years old, the seasoned coach has swiftly turned his back on past worries. His latest endeavor,  Villarreal , has risen to prominence in  La Liga , finishing in fifth place last season and securing a spot in the Champions League.

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<p>“If there is a name that explains the radical change at Villarreal, it is that of his trainer Marcelino. When he arrived, the club's statistics resembled those of a relegation candidate, but by May, they transformed into a viable  Champions League  contender,” wrote  Marca  a few months ago. Similarly, the  Madrid  newspaper  AS  referred to Marcelino’s comeback as a " Revenge taken " after the departure of  Quique Setien .</p>

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<h2>In Spain, Marcelino is Respected</h2>

<p>The statistics following Marcelino's arrival further enshrine his reputation for  offensive football . Last season,  Villarreal  scored a total of  71 goals , making them the third-best attacking team in  La Liga , trailing only behind  Barcelona  (102) and  Real Madrid  (78). This was indeed a historic achievement for the club, surpassing the previous record of 69 goals set in the 2004-2005 season, which featured stars like  Diego Forlan ,  Juan Román Riquelme ,  Marcos Senna , and  Santi Cazorla . This current season, Villarreal has continued to showcase its prowess, netting 13 goals over seven matches, placing them third in the league. Remarkably, they’ve notched three consecutive victories against  Osasuna ,  Sevilla , and  Athletic Bilbao .</p>

<p>Key players under Marcelino’s guidance include  Nicolas Pépé , who was named  La Liga’s  Player of August and has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence under Marcelino. Additionally, former  Marseille  midfielder  Pape Gueye  emerges as a vital cog in the team, clocking the third-highest minutes on the field (587). Age is no barrier as promising talent  Santiago Mouriño  (23), transferred from  Atlético de Madrid , has successfully anchored the defense alongside  Rafa Marin , a loan recruit from  Napoli , and  Renato Veiga , who arrived from  Chelsea  this summer.</p>

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<h2>A Twist of Fate: Facing His Predecessor</h2>

<p>This evening, Marcelino will experience his first  Champions League  match with Villarreal at their home ground. "If you had asked me almost two years ago, when I arrived, if I could envision myself here discussing this match against  Juventus , I would have hesitated," he remarked during a press conference yesterday. Following a narrow 1-0 defeat against  Tottenham  in their opening match, the  Estadio de la Cerámica  will host  Juventus  managed by  Igor Tudor , Marcelino’s predecessor at  Marseille .</p>

<p>Given the bittersweet memories associated with his time in Marseille, exchanges between Marcelino and Tudor may be limited. Their experiences may differ significantly, yet both show resilience in bouncing back after tumultuous exits from their previous clubs. While Marcelino barely had time to enjoy the scenic routes of the  Old Port  or the savory scent of  Bouillabaisse , their paths have converged once more, both showcasing their tenacity in revitalizing their careers.</p>