Rhythm and harmony were key elements of Villarreal’s march to Europa League glory last season. Not least in the penalty shoot-out that won them the final in Gdańsk, where 11 spot kicks were converted in pitch perfect, metronomic fashion.
But do those skills out on the grass mean that the team can carry a tune in their downtime? Do they prepare for games by performing something stirring and percussive, or perhaps by belting out an aria or two? Based on our research, not really. The club may have just won its first silverware in 98 years of existence but there are no Grammys on the horizon.
That’s not to say that there’s a lack of enthusiasm for the idea of making melodies. Consider the response of 35-year-old centre-back Raúl Albiol, for example – could he see the potential for a bit of Villarreal vaudeville? “I’m not sure about the type of music but, you know, we’d try,” he says, gamely. “I would play the drums, that’s for sure, because I like the drums. I think Gerard Moreno would be the singer – I’m a terrible singer – and maybe Moi Gómez would be the guitarist.”
But what’s this? As with any good band, there appears to be some creative tension. Left-back Alberto Moreno has other ideas when it comes to the line-up – and Albiol is nowhere to be seen. “So I would play flamenco guitar, Ramiro Funes Mori would play timbales, Carlos Bacca would play maracas and Jaume Costa would sing.”
Rhythm and harmony were key elements of Villarreal’s march to Europa League glory last season. Not least in the penalty shoot-out that won them the final in Gdańsk, where 11 spot kicks were converted in pitch perfect, metronomic fashion.
But do those skills out on the grass mean that the team can carry a tune in their downtime? Do they prepare for games by performing something stirring and percussive, or perhaps by belting out an aria or two? Based on our research, not really. The club may have just won its first silverware in 98 years of existence but there are no Grammys on the horizon.
That’s not to say that there’s a lack of enthusiasm for the idea of making melodies. Consider the response of 35-year-old centre-back Raúl Albiol, for example – could he see the potential for a bit of Villarreal vaudeville? “I’m not sure about the type of music but, you know, we’d try,” he says, gamely. “I would play the drums, that’s for sure, because I like the drums. I think Gerard Moreno would be the singer – I’m a terrible singer – and maybe Moi Gómez would be the guitarist.”
But what’s this? As with any good band, there appears to be some creative tension. Left-back Alberto Moreno has other ideas when it comes to the line-up – and Albiol is nowhere to be seen. “So I would play flamenco guitar, Ramiro Funes Mori would play timbales, Carlos Bacca would play maracas and Jaume Costa would sing.”
Colombian striker Bacca, however, doesn’t want to play the maracas – in fact, he’s against the concept of a band altogether. “Nobody would be in it! They’re all awful. They only like dancing.” Come on, Carlos, any positive vibes? “Alright, let’s pick one who might play an instrument. I think… Vicente Iborra. Because he’s more serious, so he can play… let’s say the saxophone. Or the piano. He would play something.”
Here’s Gerard Moreno though, Albiol’s nominated lead man. Alas, he’s more than happy to bang in the goals but this music malarkey isn’t striking a chord. “I think we would clap, because playing instruments wouldn’t really be our thing.”
Fortunately, they’re all singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to the identity of the dressing-room DJ. “The one who plays music in the dressing room is Funes Mori,” says the forward. Albiol chimes in. “He actually plays some good tracks before every match.”
“No doubt,” says Alberto Moreno, adding to the chorus. “He always cheers us up with his music. It’s really varied: he plays some bachata, reggaeton, some old songs. He mixes it all up.”
Bacca backs up those sentiments. “Every morning he comes with his speaker, which he’s bought from home. He comes in already pumped for some music.”
So don’t hold your breath for a debut album from Villarreal. But do have faith that rhythm and harmony will continue to drive the Yellow Submarine as they embark on their Champions League journey – and let’s hope someone in that dressing room requests a certain Beatles tune sooner rather than later. All together now… “Amarillo el submarino es, eh! Amarillo es, eh! Amarillo es!”
Rhythm and harmony were key elements of Villarreal’s march to Europa League glory last season. Not least in the penalty shoot-out that won them the final in Gdańsk, where 11 spot kicks were converted in pitch perfect, metronomic fashion.
But do those skills out on the grass mean that the team can carry a tune in their downtime? Do they prepare for games by performing something stirring and percussive, or perhaps by belting out an aria or two? Based on our research, not really. The club may have just won its first silverware in 98 years of existence but there are no Grammys on the horizon.
That’s not to say that there’s a lack of enthusiasm for the idea of making melodies. Consider the response of 35-year-old centre-back Raúl Albiol, for example – could he see the potential for a bit of Villarreal vaudeville? “I’m not sure about the type of music but, you know, we’d try,” he says, gamely. “I would play the drums, that’s for sure, because I like the drums. I think Gerard Moreno would be the singer – I’m a terrible singer – and maybe Moi Gómez would be the guitarist.”
But what’s this? As with any good band, there appears to be some creative tension. Left-back Alberto Moreno has other ideas when it comes to the line-up – and Albiol is nowhere to be seen. “So I would play flamenco guitar, Ramiro Funes Mori would play timbales, Carlos Bacca would play maracas and Jaume Costa would sing.”
Rhythm and harmony were key elements of Villarreal’s march to Europa League glory last season. Not least in the penalty shoot-out that won them the final in Gdańsk, where 11 spot kicks were converted in pitch perfect, metronomic fashion.
But do those skills out on the grass mean that the team can carry a tune in their downtime? Do they prepare for games by performing something stirring and percussive, or perhaps by belting out an aria or two? Based on our research, not really. The club may have just won its first silverware in 98 years of existence but there are no Grammys on the horizon.
That’s not to say that there’s a lack of enthusiasm for the idea of making melodies. Consider the response of 35-year-old centre-back Raúl Albiol, for example – could he see the potential for a bit of Villarreal vaudeville? “I’m not sure about the type of music but, you know, we’d try,” he says, gamely. “I would play the drums, that’s for sure, because I like the drums. I think Gerard Moreno would be the singer – I’m a terrible singer – and maybe Moi Gómez would be the guitarist.”
But what’s this? As with any good band, there appears to be some creative tension. Left-back Alberto Moreno has other ideas when it comes to the line-up – and Albiol is nowhere to be seen. “So I would play flamenco guitar, Ramiro Funes Mori would play timbales, Carlos Bacca would play maracas and Jaume Costa would sing.”
Rhythm and harmony were key elements of Villarreal’s march to Europa League glory last season. Not least in the penalty shoot-out that won them the final in Gdańsk, where 11 spot kicks were converted in pitch perfect, metronomic fashion.
But do those skills out on the grass mean that the team can carry a tune in their downtime? Do they prepare for games by performing something stirring and percussive, or perhaps by belting out an aria or two? Based on our research, not really. The club may have just won its first silverware in 98 years of existence but there are no Grammys on the horizon.
That’s not to say that there’s a lack of enthusiasm for the idea of making melodies. Consider the response of 35-year-old centre-back Raúl Albiol, for example – could he see the potential for a bit of Villarreal vaudeville? “I’m not sure about the type of music but, you know, we’d try,” he says, gamely. “I would play the drums, that’s for sure, because I like the drums. I think Gerard Moreno would be the singer – I’m a terrible singer – and maybe Moi Gómez would be the guitarist.”
But what’s this? As with any good band, there appears to be some creative tension. Left-back Alberto Moreno has other ideas when it comes to the line-up – and Albiol is nowhere to be seen. “So I would play flamenco guitar, Ramiro Funes Mori would play timbales, Carlos Bacca would play maracas and Jaume Costa would sing.”
Colombian striker Bacca, however, doesn’t want to play the maracas – in fact, he’s against the concept of a band altogether. “Nobody would be in it! They’re all awful. They only like dancing.” Come on, Carlos, any positive vibes? “Alright, let’s pick one who might play an instrument. I think… Vicente Iborra. Because he’s more serious, so he can play… let’s say the saxophone. Or the piano. He would play something.”
Here’s Gerard Moreno though, Albiol’s nominated lead man. Alas, he’s more than happy to bang in the goals but this music malarkey isn’t striking a chord. “I think we would clap, because playing instruments wouldn’t really be our thing.”
Fortunately, they’re all singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to the identity of the dressing-room DJ. “The one who plays music in the dressing room is Funes Mori,” says the forward. Albiol chimes in. “He actually plays some good tracks before every match.”
“No doubt,” says Alberto Moreno, adding to the chorus. “He always cheers us up with his music. It’s really varied: he plays some bachata, reggaeton, some old songs. He mixes it all up.”
Bacca backs up those sentiments. “Every morning he comes with his speaker, which he’s bought from home. He comes in already pumped for some music.”
So don’t hold your breath for a debut album from Villarreal. But do have faith that rhythm and harmony will continue to drive the Yellow Submarine as they embark on their Champions League journey – and let’s hope someone in that dressing room requests a certain Beatles tune sooner rather than later. All together now… “Amarillo el submarino es, eh! Amarillo es, eh! Amarillo es!”
Rhythm and harmony were key elements of Villarreal’s march to Europa League glory last season. Not least in the penalty shoot-out that won them the final in Gdańsk, where 11 spot kicks were converted in pitch perfect, metronomic fashion.
But do those skills out on the grass mean that the team can carry a tune in their downtime? Do they prepare for games by performing something stirring and percussive, or perhaps by belting out an aria or two? Based on our research, not really. The club may have just won its first silverware in 98 years of existence but there are no Grammys on the horizon.
That’s not to say that there’s a lack of enthusiasm for the idea of making melodies. Consider the response of 35-year-old centre-back Raúl Albiol, for example – could he see the potential for a bit of Villarreal vaudeville? “I’m not sure about the type of music but, you know, we’d try,” he says, gamely. “I would play the drums, that’s for sure, because I like the drums. I think Gerard Moreno would be the singer – I’m a terrible singer – and maybe Moi Gómez would be the guitarist.”
But what’s this? As with any good band, there appears to be some creative tension. Left-back Alberto Moreno has other ideas when it comes to the line-up – and Albiol is nowhere to be seen. “So I would play flamenco guitar, Ramiro Funes Mori would play timbales, Carlos Bacca would play maracas and Jaume Costa would sing.”
