Pafos x Villarreal confirmed lineup in the Champions League: where to watch and highlights

Pafos FC welcomes Villarreal this Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Neo GSP stadium, in Nicosia, Cyprus, in the fourth round of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The confirmed lineups were released hours before the kickoff, scheduled for 2:45 pm (Brasília time), revealing different tactical strategies for the clash. The Cypriot team, coached by Juan Carlos Carcedo, opted for an offensive 4-3-3, while the Spanish team, under the command of Marcelino García Toral, chose a balanced 4-4-2, aiming to add crucial points in the competition.

Both teams are looking to recover in the table, with Pafos in 29th place and Villarreal in 31st after three rounds. The match gains importance due to its proximity in the classification, where a victory could boost the fight for playoff positions. Players such as Dani Parejo, captain of Villarreal, and David Goldar, leader of Pafos, were confirmed as starters, highlighting their experience on the field.

Expectations involve the teams’ recent performance. Pafos is coming off a draw in the Cypriot league against AEL Limassol, while Villarreal beat Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish Championship. These results influence initial choices, prioritizing freshness and physical fitness.

Key lineup highlights include:

• At Pafos: Mislav Oršić in attack, with decisive assists in the last games.
• At Villarreal: Georgiy Mikautadze as an offensive reference, scoring in recent UCL matches.

Tactical formations in focus

Pafos’ 4-3-3 formation prioritizes quick transitions through midfield. Neofytos Michael guards the goal, supported by a solid defensive line with David Goldar as captain.

Ken Sema and Domingos Quina add speed on the flanks, while Pêpê and Vlad Dragomir control the central rhythm. This configuration allowed the Cypriot team to create chances in previous duels in the competition.

Villarreal’s 4-4-2 emphasizes ball possession. Luiz Júnior, in goal, counts on Juan Foyth in defense for precise interceptions.

Key players in midfield

Dani Parejo, 35, dictates the game for Villarreal with long passes. His field vision helped in the victory over Rayo, with 85% successful shots.

At Pafos, Ibrian Šunjić, with aggressive marking, neutralizes opponent advances. He recovered 12 balls in his last domestic match.

Alexandre Moleiro, a young Spanish prospect, complements the midfield with short dribbles. Its inclusion aims to exploit spaces behind the Cypriot defense.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, although notbench, presses for entry, but the coach opted for rotation.

Attack and defense under review

Georgiy Mikautadze leads Villarreal’s attack with nine goals this season. His movement in the rival area puts pressure on compact defenses, such as Pafos.

Ayoze Pérez, alongside him, contributes assists, totaling five in La Liga. This duo seeks to break the Cypriot blockade.

In Pafos’ defense, Derrick Luckassen, a 29-year-old Dutchman, covers full-backs who are 1.89m tall. He has blocked shots on 70% of recent rival attempts.

David Luiz, Brazilian ex-Flamengo, adds solidity to the defense with firm tackles.

In the Cypriot offensive sector, Mislav Oršić, a fast Croatian, completes plays. He has scored twice in UCL so far.

Starting Strategies Revealed

Pafos plans to press hard in the first 15 minutes. Carcedo instructed to focus on set pieces, where Goldar stands out in headers.

Villarreal, in turn, bets on counterattacks. Marcelino emphasized quick circulation, with Parejo as the pivot.

Factors such as Neo GSP’s synthetic grass influence the pace. Villarreal, accustomed to natural pitches, adapts training to simulate conditions.

Minimal injuries affect the teams: only João Correia, from Pafos, is out due to muscular discomfort.

Expectations for the confront

German refereeing, led by Sven Jablonski, guarantees accuracy in fouls. VAR, with Sören Storks, monitors controversial moves.

Transmission takes place on channels such as DAZN in Brazil, with a projected audience of 500 thousand viewers.

The history of confrontations is zero, making the game unpredictable. Both teams have three points each, increasing their relevance.