Emery’s side lose against Atlético de Madrid in a match where they deserved more (0-2)
Villarreal lost against Atlético de Madrid 0-2 in a match where the Yellows deserved better luck against the LaLiga leaders. The goals were an own goal by Alfonso Pedraza own goal, and a Joao Félix striker. De Burgos Bengoetxea, the referee, was at the centre of the action, with a number of controversial refereeing decisions.
Unai Emery had to make a change to his starting lineup with the injury late on to Paco Alcácer. The forward was unable to be involved due to muscle discomfort. Samu Chukwueze came into the team to play on the right of the attack, while Gerard Moreno led the line.
The Yellows started well, playing neat balls to hurt the away side. Despite that, it was Atlético who went ahead on the scoreboard. They did it in a moment of controversy too. Thomas Lemar put the ball into the box, Stefan Savic headed it while using Pedraza for support, Sergio Asenjo parried out, at the rebound hit the full-back before going into the goal. There could have been an offside call, or even a foul given for the jump. VAR looked at the action and decided that there was neither and gave a goal (0-1, m.26).
Villarreal could have equalised not long after. Dani Parejo took a great free-kick, Gerard controlled the ball in the área, and ended up shooting with his head in an awkward position. Jan Oblak kept it out, and the ball did not go in by millimetres, before the away side’s defence was able to clear it.
Just before half-time, and there was more controversy. Lemar’s elbow made contact with Étienne Capoue in the middle of the pitch, and De Burgos Bengoetxea gave a free-kick, but did not produce a card. VAR spoke to him about a possible red card, but the referee decided it was only a yellow.
Villarreal’s dominance increased in the second half, albeit without reward. The Yellows’ siege did not pay off, and Atlético only created danger in the occasional piece of play. Asenjo had to step up after a Luis Suárez effort, but minutes later he was unable to do anything.
It was 0-2 in the 68th minute. Félix reacted first to a loose ball on the edge of the box after a clearance by a Yellows defender, firing an unstoppable right-footed effort into Asenjo’s net.
The Submarine continued pushing forward until the very end. Carlos Bacca shot wide after a great piece of play by Gerard, while Álex Baena hit the woodwork, and his volley after was saved by an out-of-this-world stop by Oblak.
Next up for Villarreal is a derby against Valencia at Mestalla (Friday, 9pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Foyth, Albiol, Pau, Pedraza (Estupiñán, m. 59); Trigueros (Baena, m. 70), Capoue (Jaume Costa, m. 70), Parejo; Chukwueze, Gerard, Moi Gómez (Bacca, m. 59).
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Savic, Felipe, Hermoso; Llorente, Koke, Saúl, Lemar (Joao Félix, m. 46); Correa (Torreira, m. 82), Luis Suárez (Kondogbia, m. 75).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 26: Pedraza, (own goal). 0-2. Min. 68: Joao Félix.
Referee: De Burgos Bengoetxea. Booked: Jaume Costa (while he was on the bench), Albiol (Villarreal CF); Felipe, Lemar, Saúl (Atlético de Madrid).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 25 at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
