Villarreal put on a great show against Eibar with a hat-trick from the French-Congolese striker
A match to remember. Villarreal pick up a brilliant win against SD Eibar in a great all round match by the whole team, that went the Yellows’ way thanks to three goals by French-Congolese forward Cédric Bakambu.
Javi Calleja made four changes to his starting eleven from last Thursday’s match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Álvaro, Castillejo, Rodrigo and Sansone came into the team as starters and the Manager opted for a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond once again, which allowed the Submarine to move the ball around nicely.
Pablo Fornals played as an attacking midfielder, really showing his class as a player. From a sublime pass of his the Yellows scored their first of the match. The number 8 passed the ball to Trigueros with his chest, who then played a through ball to Bakambu who lobbed the Eibar goalkeeper in fine style. A fantastic opener that sent the Estadio de la Cerámica wild.
Villarreal were absolutely brilliant. Rodrigo had a fantastic chance of his own as he let rip a screamer of a shot from the edge of the box that the Eibar keeper did well to push onto his crossbar.
In the second half, it was more of the same from the home side. Calleja’s men were comfortable on the pitch. Their intensity meant they were winning the ball back well and creating plenty of danger for the Eibar defence.
The Yellows’ second goal was another work of art. Rodrigo played a great ball to Fornals, who played a first time pass to Sansone and the striker put in a driven cross to Bakambu who smashed the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Villarreal were on fire by this point. Bakambu, Fornals… The goal scoring chances did not stop coming and the more than 17,000 fans that filled the stands at the Estadiode la Cerámica were enjoying the show.
The third goal came from the penalty spot. Fornals, yes Fornals again, played a great ball to Castillejo who was then taken down in the box by Arbilla. Bakambu scored and completed his first hat-trick in a Villarreal shirt. The Estadio de la Cerámica chanted his name: “Ba-kam-bu, Ba-kam-bu, Ba-kam-bu”. A stellar performance by the Yellow Submarine.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Barbosa; Mario, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa; Castillejo (Ramiro, m. 81), Rodrigo, Trigueros (Soriano, m. 72), Fornals; Sansone (Bacca, m. 64) and Bakambu.
SD Eibar: Dmitrovic; Capa, Arbilla, Lombán, Juncà; R. Peña (Jordán, m. 77), Escalante (Rivera, m. 81), Dani García, Inui; Kike (Charles, m. 66) and Sergi Enrich.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 24: Bakambu. 2-0. Min. 51: Bakambu. 3-0. Min. 76: Bakambu (penalty).
Referee: Melero López (Andalusia, Spain). Cautioned: Rodrigo and Álvaro for Villarreal; Dani García for Eibar.
Match Information: Match corresponding to Matchday 7 of the LaLiga Santander played at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 17,090 spectators.
