Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral has openly criticised former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey following Villarreal’s 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, a result that capped off a disappointing Champions League campaign for the Spanish side.

Partey, who joined Villarreal on a free transfer during the summer, has faced controversy off the pitch due to ongoing legal cases involving serious allegations, which he denies. While Marcelino previously avoided discussing those matters, he was more direct when evaluating the midfielder’s performances on the field after the loss in Germany.

Speaking to Marca, Marcelino suggested Partey has struggled to match the level he previously showed in England. He noted that modern football demands high intensity and speed, adding that six months should have been enough time for the player to demonstrate his quality.

The Villarreal coach also expressed frustration with his team’s overall Champions League showing. The club finished second from bottom in their group with just one point from eight matches, conceding 18 goals in the process. This contrasts sharply with their La Liga form, where they have conceded only 21 goals in 20 games.

Marcelino admitted he was angered by his team’s first-half display against Leverkusen, saying they were outplayed in intensity, pace, passing and chance creation. He felt his side played too defensively and failed to take opportunities to move forward, which allowed the German side to dominate.

When asked about a costly mistake by goalkeeper Arnau Tenas that led to Leverkusen’s opener, Marcelino was more understanding. He acknowledged that errors are part of football but accepted responsibility for Villarreal’s poor European campaign, stating the team must now focus on maintaining their strong domestic form.

Villarreal return to La Liga action this weekend against Osasuna, hoping to continue what has been one of their best league seasons in terms of points.