The UEFA institutional lunch, traditionally scheduled before the Champions League match between Villarreal and Napoli, took place in the elegant setting of the El Ceramista restaurant, located inside the Stadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal. The event brought together the delegations of the two clubs, led by the president of Villarreal, Fernando Roig Alfonso, and the vice-president of Napoli, Edoardo DeLaurentiis, with the presence of the UEFA delegate Anthony Bloch.
During the session, Napoli offered Villarreal a gesture of recognition and sporting friendship: a polychrome bronze sculpture entitled "Il Corsiero del Sole". The work, created by master Antonio Nocera, was commissioned for the 2026/27 Champions League and recalls the historical emblem of Napoli, celebrating the tradition and identity of the Neapolitan club. The artist, who collaborated with the team in the previous season, received a tribute that strengthens the link between his work and Italian football.
The lunch, which serves as a preamble to the Champions League match, was an opportunity for the managers to discuss issues of common interest and to strengthen relations between the two delegations. Despite the rivalry on the pitch, the representatives showed a climate of mutual respect and collaboration, underlining the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue within European football.
DeLaurentiis' gesture was welcomed with enthusiasm by the president of Villarreal, who expressed his gratitude for the symbolic gift and reiterated the importance of celebrating culture and art through football. Napoli, for its part, underlined how the sculpture represents not only the history of the club but also its aspiration to reach new goals in continental competition.
As the match begins, fans of both teams will be able to witness a high-level confrontation as the managers prepare to manage the post-match dynamics. Napoli, with its tradition of greatness, and Villarreal, known for its tactical solidity, will compete for a result that could influence the group stage standings. The final result and any implications for the knockout stages will be the subject of great attention from the media and fans across Europe.