The Submarine is defeated for the first time this season in its UEFA Europa League début
After thirteen matches, the Villarreal CF tasted the first defeat of the season in its UEFA Europa League début against SK Rapid Wien at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna. Leo Baptistao put the Yellows ahead right before half time but the locals managed to comeback after the break with goals by Schwab and Hofmann.
Marcelino made 10 changes in the starting lineup in comparison with the team that played the last La Liga match at the Nuevo Los Cármenes stadium of Granada. Only left center back Víctor Ruiz started on both, joining Italian debutant Daniele Bonera on the back line against the Austrians.
The first great chance of the match was for the Submarine and came on minute 18th. A splendid backheel by Adrian set Baptistao on the run to face Novota, but his shot went over the crossbar. The Austrians response came 10 minutes later. Prosenik’s volley came very close to Mariano Barbosa’s goal. The game had another pace, with both sides sharing the ball possession and with no clear scoring chances.
On the stroke of half time, Villarreal managed to score the 0-1. A spectacular play on the right wing ended with Rukavina sending a precise pass that was headed in by Leo Baptistao.
The beginning of the second half was negative for Villarreal. SK Rapid scored both its goals in the initial minutes. First it was Schwab, scoring the equaliser on the 50th minute and just three minutes later, referee Stefan Johannesson called a penalty for the Austrians that Hofmann buried in. The Submarine tried to react after these two goals. Marcelino moved the squad and this substitutions brought some fresh air to the Yellow vanguard. The best chance was for Bakambu, who didn’t manage to score from within the box after a header by Bruno but the goal didn’t come through.
The next UEFA Europa League match will be on Thursday, October 1st against FC Viktoria Plzen at El Madrigal Stadium (9.05 pm).
MATCH FACTS:
SK Rapid Wien: Novota; Pavelic, Dibon, M. Hofmann, Stangl (Auer, m. 92); Schaub (Schobesberger, m. 63), Grahovac, Schwab, Kainz (Huspek, m. 72); S. Hofmann and Prosenik.
Villarreal CF: Barbosa; Rukavina, Bonera, Víctor Ruiz, Jokic; Samuel (S. Castillejo, m. 46), J. Dos Santos, Bruno, Denis Suárez (Nahuel, m. 79); Leo Baptistao and Adrián (Bakambu, m. 68).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 44: Leo Baptistao. 1-1. Min. 50: Schwab. 2-1. Min. 53: S. Hofmann (penalty).
Referee: Stefan Johannesson (SWE). Yellow card for locals Grahovac (m. 80) and Schwab (m. 87); as for visitors Leo Baptistao (m. 35), Bonera (m. 49) and Rukavina (m. 78).
Stadium: Ernst Happel. 36.200 fans.
