Villarreal take down Real Betis with a goal by Adrián and establish themselves in European zone
Three golden points. Villarreal picked up a hugely important win against Real Betis thanks to a goal by Adrián López, who gave the dominant Yellows the reward they deserved at the Benito Villamarín stadium. The Submarine got back to winning in what was an intense clash.
Fran Escribá made up to seven changes to the starting eleven with regard to the team that started against SD Eibar at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The only players to repeat were Andrés, Mario, Castillejo and Roberto Soriano. All with the purpose of saving his players’ energy during this demanding week.
The first big chance of the game fell to Real Betis. Sanabria controlled the ball in the box and Musacchio just got his foot to it to clear it out of the path of the Paraguayan striker before he could strike at Andrés (m. 8). From then on, the Yellow Submarine enjoyed the best chances of the first half.
Firstly, Sansone tried his luck from long range, but his shot went wide, then shortly after the Yellows had an unbeatable chance. Soriano played a spectacular through ball to Sansone, but the Yellows number 18 was kept out by Adán, who came out at the last minute. A great play that deserved to finish in a goal.
From then on the match calmed down, but not too much. Both teams were well organized on the pitch and so chances were scarce. The next dangerous chance did not come until the 40th minute. Jonathan dos Santos, who was playing in centre midfield, crossed the ball in and Adrián’s header scraped the woodwork.
The second half started with a bang. Sansone held onto the ball so José Ángel could overlap him on the left wing, then the number 3 got to the byline, dribbled away from his defenders and put in a cross for Adrián to tap home at the far post. Brilliant.
The final minutes were really nerve-wracking. Both teams hit the post. First Bakambu, who got on the end of a great through ball by Bruno and he hit the near front post. Then, in added time, Real Betis almost got an equalizer. Dani Ceballos placed his shot which was slightly deflected and almost caught Andrés out at the near post. Saved by the post.
Villarreal’s next match is this Friday against Athletic Club at the Estadio de la Cerámica (8:45pm CET). Another vital game for Villarreal to secure European football for next season. Endavant!
Lineups:
Real Betis: Adán; Piccini (Joaquín, m. 54), Bruno, Pezzella, Tosca (Donk, m. 77), Durmisi; Ceballos, Rubén Pardo, Brasanac (Álex Alegría, m. 77); Sanabria and Rubén Castro.
Villarreal CF: Andrés; Mario, Musacchio, Víctor Ruiz, José Ángel; Castillejo, Rodrigo, Jonathan dos Santos, Soriano (Bruno, m. 67); Sansone (Bakambu, m. 63) and Adrián (Jaume Costa, m. 84).
Goal: 0-1. Min. 46: Adrián.
Referee: Gil Manzano (Extremadura, Spain). Cautioned: Víctor Ruiz and Jonathan dos Santos.
Match Information: Match corresponding to Matchday 30 of the LaLiga Santander played at the Benito Villamarín stadium.
