Villarreal defeated Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals 2-1 over two legs, in what was an upset as the German giants, currently on course for a tenth straight Bundesliga title, were the odds-on favourites to progress.
The German team outstripped the Spanish side in terms of shots and possession, but Villarreal were clinical in attack and endured the onslaught of the Bundesliga side to set up a date with Liverpool.
De Coninck believes that Villarreal cannot be written off in the semi-final tie and while they can produce progressive football they have it in themselves to lock down, like fellow Spanish team Atletico Madrid.
The former goalkeeper though does not think that a park the bus approach will work against Liverpool.
“Predicting the winner from Manchester City-Real Madrid seems more difficult than the winner from Liverpool-Villarreal”, De Coninck was quoted as saying by Belgian outlet Sporza.
“But who dares to say that Villarreal will not make it difficult for Liverpool either? They have eliminated Manchester United, as well as Juventus and Bayern Munich.
“Villarreal has made it this far thanks to their special football that we have a lot more sympathy for than Atletico’s game.
“But they can be just as defensive.
“Villarreal parked a yellow bus against Bayern.
“They only came to threaten Manuel Neuer once and push through.
“Everyone is sympathetic to that.
“But I fear that will not work against Liverpool.”
Villarreal are currently seventh in La Liga and their way back into next season’s Champions League is to win this year’s competition.
