Football fans will be treated to an intriguing international friendly as Swiss Super League side FC St. Gallen host Spanish La Liga powerhouse Villarreal CF. This pre-season clash is scheduled for today, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with kick-off at 8:00 PM CEST (9:00 PM EAT in Kenya). The match will take place at St. Gallen's home ground, Kybunpark, in Switzerland.
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The Significance: Building Momentum for the New Season
This friendly serves distinct yet equally important purposes for both clubs as they fine-tune their preparations for the demanding 2025-26 season.
FC St. Gallen, under the guidance of Enrico Maaßen, will be looking to build confidence and refine their tactics against a high-caliber opponent. They finished 8th in the Swiss Super League last season. St. Gallen has had a mixed start to their pre-season, including a 2-4 defeat against Darmstadt 98 and a 0-1 loss to Schalke 04, but also a 4-4 draw with SC Brühl. This match against Villarreal offers a significant step up in quality and a chance to test their defensive resilience and attacking transitions. They have adopted a 3-5-2 formation recently, emphasizing wing play and rapid transitions, but have shown some defensive vulnerabilities.
Villarreal CF, the "Yellow Submarine," come into this friendly with substantial momentum from the end of their last La Liga season, having secured impressive victories against strong teams like Sevilla and Barcelona. Under coach Marcelino García Toral, Villarreal typically operates with a possession-dominant 4-2-3-1, relying on structured build-up and intelligent movement. They have also had a busy pre-season already, with a recent 3-3 draw against Basel. Villarreal are strong favorites for this encounter, given their superior league standing and recent form. Players like creative lynchpin Álex Baena and dynamic attackers like Gerard Moreno or Alexander Sørloth will be looking to maintain their sharpness.
Head-to-Head: A Sparse But Notable History
The head-to-head record between St. Gallen and Villarreal is quite sparse, with only one prior recorded friendly match:
July 15, 2023: St. Gallen famously defeated Villarreal 6-1 in a friendly encounter.
While this result might seem surprising given the difference in league stature, it highlights that in pre-season friendlies, unexpected outcomes can occur. However, current form and squad depth suggest Villarreal is the stronger side.
Key Players and Tactical Approaches
Both managers will likely use this friendly to rotate their squads, give valuable minutes to as many players as possible, and experiment with tactical setups.
St. Gallen will likely focus on containing Villarreal's attacking threats and exploiting any chances on the counter. Their 3-5-2 system will rely on the wing-backs providing width and supporting the attack, while the central midfield will aim to disrupt Villarreal's passing lanes. Julian von Moos, their gifted forward, will be a key player to watch.
Villarreal will aim to dominate possession, control the midfield, and leverage their technical superiority to break down St. Gallen's defense. They are known for their structured build-up play and intelligent movement in the final third. Expect them to apply pressure high up the pitch and create numerous goal-scoring opportunities, with players like Álex Baena orchestrating play.
Given it's early in pre-season, player fitness and injury prevention will be paramount, leading to expected substitutions throughout the match.
Where to Watch: Global Coverage and Online Platforms
Information on direct TV broadcasts for this specific friendly might be limited to club channels or regional sports networks. However, several online platforms offer ways to follow the action:
FOX Sports: In the United States, FOX Sports is listed as a potential broadcaster for this friendly, so check your local FOX Sports channels or their streaming app.
Club Channels / Websites: Both FC St. Gallen and Villarreal CF might offer live streams or highlights on their official club websites or YouTube channels. Check their official platforms closer to kick-off.
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Detailed Match Statistics: Dive into comprehensive stats including ball possession percentages, shot counts, fouls, corners, and player-specific data, offering a deep analytical view of the game.
Confirmed Lineups and Formations: Stay informed with the official starting XIs and tactical setups as soon as they are released, providing crucial insights into each manager's game plan.
Pre-match Previews and Post-match Reports: Read expert analysis, match predictions, and detailed post-game summaries, offering context and analysis of the result.
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The Countdown to Kick-Of
The friendly between St. Gallen and Villarreal promises to be an engaging pre-season encounter. For St. Gallen, it's a chance to test themselves against elite European opposition and improve their defensive stability. For Villarreal, it's an opportunity to build on their strong finish to last season and refine their tactical fluidity. Expect a competitive match, with Villarreal likely to demonstrate their technical superiority.
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