The B team lacked cutting edge up front in a match Miguel Álvarez’s side dominated
A point to continue fighting. Villarreal B drew against UE Atzeneta (0-0) in a duel where the Yellows were a man down for a lot of the second half. Despite the numerical inferiority, Miguel Álvarez’s side dominated the game and only a lack of cutting edge in front of goal stopped them from taking the three points.
Sergio Lozano and Andrei Ratiu were called up to the first team so were not in the squad, while there were also a number of players missing, forcing a number of changes for the Yellows. Álvarez brought in Lanchi and Narro, as well as Haissem Hassan up front. The Villarreal B players took to the pitch with a shirt showing their support for Maxi Villa, who recently suffered a serious knee injury.
The first half was even and both sides had chances to goa head on the scoreboard. Villarreal B tried through elaborate build-up play, while Atzeneta were looking at route-one football.
The first chance for the Mini Submarine came after ten minutes. Álex Millán’s powerful low effort from outside of the box was saved uneasily by goalkeeper Lucas. Only a few minutes later, Javi Serra went one-on-one with Filip, in a dangerous piece of play for Atzeneta, which the Villarreal B shotstopper was able to keep out.
It was goalless at the break, and with no changes at the interval, the B team came out the better side, and had a number of dangerous chances led by an energetic Hassan.
In the 67th minute, midfielder Ros saw a second yellow after a harsh fould for dangerous play in the Atzeneta box. Villarreal B were left with then men, and Álvarez brought on Beitia to restore the team’s balance. Despite being a man down, Villarreal B continued to dominated possession and try and test the Atzeneta goalkeeper.
Despite a few dangerous moments late on, the Mini Submarine were unable to score and the match ended goalless. With this point, Villarreal B stay third in the table, with four games left in the first stage of the league.
Lineups:
Villarreal B: Filip; Tasende, De la Fuente, Copete, Lanchi (Edu, m. 87); Ros, Carlo, Narro (Anh, m. 80), Haissem Hassan (Beitia, m. 69); Millán, Jack Harper (Arana, m.87).
Atzeneta UE: Lucas Anacker; Kike Ferreres, Paco Aguza, Rosell, Jose Manuel; Iosu Villar, Moscardó (Samba, m. 77), Javi Garcia (Ayo, m. 80), Javi Serra; Christian Albert (Guille, m. 73), Álex Chico.
Referee: Albert Català. Booked: Copete, Millán (Villarreal B), Moscardó, Aguza (Atzeneta). Sent off: Ros (Villarreal B).
Stadium: Mini Estadi
