Villarreal draw at the Nuevo Mirandilla after failing to capitalise on a number of goalscoring opportunities
Villarreal played out a goalless draw against Cádiz at the Nuevo Mirandilla in a match marked by the Submarine’s lack of finishing, who missed countless chances to score (0-0).
After the international, Unai Emery continued to rely on a very recognisable starting eleven, with Francis Coquelin on the left flank, Gio Lo Celso on the right and academy players Álex Baena and Nico Jackson up front.
The Submarine missed clear chances to score in the first half. Jackson had the first two. The Senegalese striker came up against two miraculous interventions by Ledesma.
Lo Celso also came close to scoring for Villarreal after Dani Parejo won the ball back brilliantly. The Argentine international’s left-footed shot went into the side netting to the despair of the Yellows.
Cadiz also had a chance to score from Espino’s cross and Sobrino’s header. Gero Rulli kept out the home side on both occasions.
The second half continued in the same vein. Villarreal dominated, looking for a chink in the tidy Cádiz defence, while the home team used counter-attacks as a weapon in attack.
Emery’s side were unable to find a goalscoring touch. Alfonso Pedraza hit the post after a run down the left, while later Jackson found himself one-on-one Ledesma and again his shot was blocked by the Cadiz keeper.
The home side were digging in at the back looking for pace from their strikers. They found it in the 81st minute, when Lozano broke away from his marker and his shot was kept out by a superb save from Rulli.
Cádiz went a man down in stoppage time. Iza fouled Arnaut Danjuma as the last man when the Yellows No.9 was through against Ledesma. Parejo’s subsequent free-kick did not result in a goal either.
Next up for Villarreal is a UEFA Europa Conference League match against Austria Wien (Thursday, 9pm CEST).
Lineups:
Cádiz CF: Ledesma; Iza, Luis Hernández, Chust, Espino; Iván Alejo, San Emeterio (Lucas, m. 58), Rubén Alcaraz (José Mari, m. 68), T. Bongonda (Álex Fernández, m. 58); Sobrino, Negredo (Lozano, m. 58).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Kiko F., R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza; Lo Celso (Chukwueze, m. 83), Capoue, Parejo, Coquelin (Danjuma, m. 67); Álex B., N. Jackson (Morales, m. 83).
Referee: Iglesias Villanueva. Booked: Rubén Alcaraz (Cádiz CF); Rulli, Coquelin, Álex Baena (Villarreal CF). Sent off: Iza (m. 92).
Matchday information: Game corresponding to Matchday 7 of the 2022/23 LaLiga season at the Nuevo Mirandilla. Attendance: 15,516.
