The Yellows lose to Deportivo Alaves but deserve more
El Villarreal CF perdió ante el Deportivo Alavés en su visita a Mendizorrotza (2-1). Los amarillos fueron superiores a su rival, pero el acierto local en los últimos metros y el gran partido de Fernando Pacheco decantó el encuentro a favor del equipo babazorro.
Villarreal CF lost against Deportivo Alavés in their visit to Mendizorrotza (2-1). The Yellows were better than their opponents, but the home team’s clinical nature and an impressive performance by Fernando Pacheco saw the Basque side get the victory.
Unai Emery lined up with a team that had six chances from the last league game against Levante UD. Gero Rulli came into the team in goal, while Raúl Albiol, Ramiro Funes Mori, Étienne Capoue, Manu Trigueros and Paco Alcácer returned to the starting XI.
The game did not start as the Yellows would have wanted. Deportivo Alavés opened the scoring before the first quarter of an hour of the game. A Joselu header from a Jota pass put the Basque side ahead.
After the goal from the home team, the Yellows were quick to react. Villarreal took a step forward and pushed their opponent back, thanks to good football. Emery’s team went close to scoring on various occasions, denied by an impressive Pacheco. Gerard Moreno had the best chance, with his powerful effort ending up in the hands of the home goalkeeper after a fantastic Alfonso Pedraza cross.
After the half-time break, Villarreal finally found the equaliser. Alcácer scored on the turn in the box after an inch-perfect Gerard assist, scoring from the tightest of angles past Pacheco. The Valencian striker finally gave the Yellows the reward their play had deserved.
Only five minutes later, Alcácer could have scored his second after a great piece of combination play including Gerard and Trigueros. The No.14 played the striker through on goal, but Pacheco made another fantastic stop.
Ten minutes before full-time, Deportivo Alavés scored their second, with Edgar finishing a Joselu cross. The Yellows tried, unsuccessfully, to find the equaliser.
Lineups:
Deportivo Alavés: Pacheco; Martín, Laguardia, Lejeune, X. Navarro; Jota (Pellistri, m. 78), Battaglia, T. Pina, L. Rioja (Pere Pons, m. 57); Joselu (Deyverson, m. 90), Lucas (Edgar, m. 57).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Mario Gaspar (Peña, m. 83), R. Albiol, Funes Mori, A. Pedraza; Chukwueze (Moi Gómez, m. 69), Parejo (Coquelin, m. 69), Capoue (Yeremy, m. 83), M. Trigueros; Gerard, Paco Alcácer (F. Niño, m. 83).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 16: Joselu. 1-1. Min. 50: Paco Alcácer. 2-1. Min. 80: Edgar
Referee: Cordero Vega. Booked: Manu García, Edgar (Alavés), A. Pedraza (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between Deportivo Alavés and Villarreal CF, corresponding to LaLiga 2020/21 Matchday 31 at Mendizorrotza.
