There are a few reasons, I am quite interested to see this match.
Santi Cazorla. Magic unveilings aside, who wouldn’t want the Spaniard to do well after his 2-year injury nightmare at Arsenal. It is easily forgotten that at his best, Cazorla was a supreme midfield orchestrator. Pre-season indications are that he is playing at a good level, and if he manages his fitness, Villarreal fans along with plenty of neutrals are in for a treat.
Gerard Moreno and Karl Toko Ekambi. Villarreal have established themselves as a top 6 La Liga side on the basis of playing fluent football and keeping a compact shape. The one thing they always seem to lack is consistent goalscoring options. Coud this strike partnership make the Yellow Submarines genuine challengers for the fourth Champions League spot?
Real Sociedad scored 66 goals in La Liga last season. The only teams to score more? Barcelona and Real Madrid. La Real played one of the most cavalier styles of football a midtable team could possibly play, but for all of that they finished the season 12th. Out went Eusebio Sacristan and in came Asier Garitano, rewarded for two seasons of outstanding overachievement with Leganes. In what is a tricky away tie, Garitano’s famed defensive nous should give us some clues on whether Sociedad are going to be a less adventurous but more resolute side this season.
Theo Hernandez. It is easy to forget that after sealing a move to Real Madrid last season, Theo was expected to be the big star in the family. An injury-riddled year as understudy to Marcelo, followed by Lucas Hernandez’s significant role as left back in France’s World Cup winning team, means the younger brother has some catching up to do. Hopefully a year away from the Bernabeu will help rejuvenate the talented left back and I for one am looking forward to seeing the Theo Hernandez we saw at Alaves during the 2016/17 season.