The Mini Submarine team fell to Real Zaragoza at La Romareda despite having chances to score
Villarreal B could not get off to a good start to the season and lost 2-0 to Real Zaragoza at La Romareda. The Yellows had chances, but succumbed to goals from Maikel and Francho.
The Yellows looked to cool down the initial onslaught from the visitors. It was Miguel Álvarez’s side that created the first big chance of the game. Ontiveros made up a brilliant long pass for Tasende, who crossed in a forced position and Álvarez’s subsequent rebound was picked out in the box by Rodri. His shot was saved by a miraculous save from the home defence (m. 19).
Real Zaragoza only took a few seconds to respond. Iván, possibly offside, was on his own against Iker Alvarez and his shot went just wide (m. 20). The chance spurred on his team, who could have scored a minute later with a left-footed shot from Bakis that was saved by Iker Alvarez.
The game had pace. And the chances were coming. Villarreal B had theirs with a long ball that allowed Javi Ontiveros to face his man, dribble past him in the box and unleash a right-footed shot that did not find the net due to another miraculous save, this time from home keeper Álvarez (m. 27).
It looked like a contest of saves. With four minutes remaining in the first half, Bakis again had a chance to put Real Zaragoza ahead but again he came up against Iker Alvarez. Brutal.
The Mini Submarine started the second half strongly. Andres Ferrari came close to a goal after getting clear of his marker, but the ball went just wide of the post in the 51st minute. Vibrant match.
Real Zaragoza took the lead in the 56th minute. Maikel turned in the front of the box, took his shot and put the ball out of Iker’s reach (1-0). Francho made it 2-0 from a loose ball in the area (m. 64).
Miguel Álvarez made changes in an attempt to close the gap, but the scoreboard at La Romareda would not budge.
Villarreal B’s next game is on Monday 21st August against Eldense at the Estadio de la Cerámica (7pm CEST).
Lineups:
Real Zaragoza: Álvarez; Fran Gámez, A. Francés, Jair, Nieto; Francho, M. Aguado (Jaume, m. 80), Toni Moya (Bermejo, m. 74), Maikel (Valero, m. 85); Bakis (Sergi Enrich, m. 85), Iván (Mollejo, m. 74).
Villarreal B: Iker Alvarez; Alti, Hugo Pérez (Requena, m. 77), Abraham, Tasende; Rodrigo (Gelardo, m. 77), A. del Moral, Carlo (Víctor, m. 77), J. Ontiveros; Forés (Jorge Pascual, m. 65), Ferrari (Collado, m. 65).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 56: Maikel. 2-0. Min. 63: Francho.
Referee: Quintero González. Booked: Fran Gámez, Mollejo (Real Zaragoza); Rodri, Alti, Iker Alvarez (Villarreal B).
Matchday information: Game corresponding to Matchday 1 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION at La Romareda. Attendance: 16,838.
