The Yellows reserves put in a solid performance against At. Baleares, but lost by the smallest of margins
Villarreal B lost against league leaders Atlético Baleares in an even match which ended up falling in the favour of the home side thanks to a late Hugo Díaz goal.
The match, between the two teams at the top of the table in Segunda División B Group 3, was intense from the first minute. The two teams knew what was at stake, and went for every ball until the end on a pitch without natural grass. The home side opted to play a direct style of play, while the Yellows tried to play along the floor, being loyal to their style.
The first chances went to Atlético Baleares. Adri shot wide from the edge of the box, Díaz tried his luck from a corner, and he also had a goal disallowed for offside.
Villarreal B nearly went ahead after an inside pass from Fran Álvarez for Iván Martín, which saw the Yellows midfielder denied by a great intervention from Carl.
The second half was also intense, although there were not a huge amount of goalscoring opportunities. For Villarreal B, Ramón Bueno headed towards goal, and a defender send it out for a corner, while just before, Andrei’s right-footed effort was too weak.
The only goal came in the 78th minute. Díaz received the ball on the left, and whose shot across the goal went through Andrei’s legs and past Diego Fuoli.
Next up for Villarreal B at the Mini Estadi against Ontinyent CF (Sunday, 12pm CET). That match will be shown on Villarreal CF Live.
Lineups:
Atlético Baleares: Carl; Kike López, Vallori (Rovirola, m. 84), Rubén González, Peris; Hugo Díaz (Álvaro Vega, m. 92), Villapalos, Fullana, Canario; Marcos, Adri (Rodri Cuenca, m. 72).
Villarreal B: Diego Fuoli, Andrei, Roger Riera, Carlos Blanco, Pepe Castaño (Nikola, m. 84); Iván Martín, Ramón Bueno, Lomotey (Akale, m. 84), Fran Álvarez; (Chuca, m. 72) Simón, Rubén Mesa.
Goal: 1-0. Min. 78: Hugo Díaz.
Referee: Alejandro Muñiz. Booked: Villapalos, Hugo Díaz, Rodri Cuenca (Atlético Baleares); Pepe Castaño, Lomotey, Rubén Mesa, Iván Martín, Nikola (Villarreal B).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Segunda División B Group 3 Matchday 29 at Son Malferit.
