Riquelme instructs, Rodolfo delivers

Urgent talks
Although it was, once again, Rodolfo Arruabarrena who followed his key goal against Rangers FC with the decisive second-half header to eliminate FC Internazionale Milano, he was not the Argentinian who perhaps deserved the most plaudits. "At half-time we talked pretty urgently in the dressing room," said the former CA Boca Juniors full-back. "We were running the game but it was still 0-0 and we knew that it was the moment to make one more giant effort and push for the semi finals.

Riquelme pledge
"During that chat we talked about what would happen at set-pieces and Juan Román [Riquelme] told me precisely what he was going to do if we won a dangerous free-kick which was outside shooting range. And the reality is that when Román tells you what he will do with a dead ball you know he will deliver - all you have to do is follow his instructions and it's easy to score!"

'Making history'
Thus the games two key figures, the scorer and the magician, were identified. But if anything symbolises this Villarreal side it is the enormous energy they apply to pressing their opposition into mistakes and to circulating the ball in search of goals. Had it not been for Francesco Toldo in the Inter goal the score could, with ease, have been 4-0 which says a great deal about the level at which the Spanish team played. "We are making history, that is clear," added Arruabarrena.

'Greatest night'
He continued: "To be among the last four teams in the most important European club competition in our first season in it is more than a dream. But, personally, I'm filled with the hunger to continue writing another page in our history rather than to be happy with what we have achieved. This has been the greatest and most significant night of my footballing life - either with Boca in Argentina or here in Spain. However, I want more."

Paris bound
The thousands of fans who gathered outside El Madrigal after the match to chant "Si, si, si, nos vamos a Paris" (Yes, yes, yes, we are going to Paris) would have agreed wholeheartedly with their goal hero. And within the stadium, although no doubt itching to be out in the street with his people was the man who has made this extraordinary story possible - club owner Fernando Roig.

'Very proud'
He had no doubt about to whom this remarkable victory was dedicated, saying: "My mother died recently and this was for her. I'm certain she would be very proud of what her son has achieved. This is the proudest, happiest, most surprising and loudest day in the history of Villarreal as a community. We are small but we are great. The team deserve a ten for their play but I also want to praise the massive performance of our fans.

Fans praised
"Once again they have shown supporters all around the world that you can be courteous and 100 per cent committed to your team at the same time. As for the semi-final, I don't really care who we eventually play - only that we keep this great story going all the way to the final."