The 2005–06 season was historic for Villarreal CF under Manuel Pellegrini. In La Liga, they finished 7th, a modest domestic campaign, but their European adventure defined the season. In the UEFA Champions League, Villarreal reached the semi-finals in their debut appearance, eliminating Manchester United and Inter Milan along the way. Juan Román Riquelme was the creative heartbeat, supported by Diego Forlán and Marcos Senna. The dream run ended against Arsenal, with Riquelme missing a late penalty in the second leg that could have forced extra time. Despite falling short, the campaign established Villarreal as a respected force in Europe.
