Villarreal 1 - Maribor 2

Villarreal: Barbosa; Josemi, Quique Alvarez, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Alcantará; Josico (Bruno 72'), Tacchinardi; Cani, Nihat, Pires (José Marí 59'); Diego Forlán. 4-2-3-1.
Maribor: Ranilovic; Popovic, Vuksanovic, Cipot, Tomasic; Simic, Lungu (Medved 72'); Popkleka (Mujakovic 49'), Rakic (Pregelj 57'), Mihelic; Jelic. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 40. Rakic. Struck free kick which bounced past Barbosa.
1-1. 71. Diego Forlán. Picked up pass from Nihat to beat keeper inside area.
1-2. 83. Mihelic. Beat Barbosa on counter attack.

A disastrous start for Villarreal in their opening match of the season, a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Maribor leaving them facing the prospects of a season without European football. Fielding three new signings Cani, Pires and Nihat, Pellegrini's side were hopeful of a good result. And they started well, with Nihat and Forlán combining well and Pires putting Ranilovic to the test with a long shot.

But five minutes before the break, the Slovenians took the lead with a Rakic free kick which bounced past Barbosa into the top of the net, and just two minutes after the restart Josemi got himself sent off for a foul on Popkleka.

The locals rallied after that though, Nihat bringing a couple of saves out of the keeper before setting up Diego Forlán for the equaliser. Forlán and Cani both had chances to put the Spaniards ahead, but with seven minutes to go Mihelic restored the lead for the visitors on a quick breakaway. It was a killer blow, and although there is still another leg to go next week, it will take something special if Villarreal are not to fall at the first hurdle this time around.