Villarreal Keeper Sidelined by Personal Tragedy
The Champions League clash between Villarreal and Napoli at the Estadio de la Ceramica has been marked by distressing news regarding Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. The Hungarian international was ruled out of the match after falling victim to an armed robbery at his home earlier today.
According to reports, Gulacsi was at home with his wife and young daughters during the incident. While specific details of the robbery remain limited, the club confirmed that the player is in a state of shock, rendering him unable to participate in the fixture.
Match Context and Team News
The match serves as a critical encounter for both sides, as both Villarreal and Napoli entered the second matchday of the 2026/2027 Champions League campaign seeking their first points of the tournament. Villarreal arrived following a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, while Napoli looked to bounce back from an opening-day loss to Arsenal.
The Estadio de la Ceramica, known as “El Feudo Amarillo,” hosted the match with a capacity of 25,000. German official Daniel Siebert was appointed to referee the contest, supported by a team of German officials including VAR Soren Storks.
Historical Rivalry
This fixture marks a continuation of a historical rivalry between the two clubs. The teams have met six times previously in European competition, with the record standing at two wins apiece and two draws. Their last competitive meeting occurred during the 2015/2016 Europa League round of 32, where Villarreal advanced following a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Maradona, having secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg.