Villarreal drew despite being a man down from the 23rd minute
Villarreal were held to a goalless draw by Getafe in a match marked by Álex Baena’s early dismissal in the 23rd minute (0-0). The Submarine were able to suffer with a man down and earn a heroic point thanks to a stellar performance from their goalkeeper. Filip Jorgensen was voted MVP after an intense match. He was outstanding.
Pacheta only made one change from the starting eleven that started the previous game against Girona. Matteo Gabbia came in for Aïssa Mandi to accompany captain Raúl Albiol at the heart of the defence.
The first chance of the game fell to the Submarine. After high pressure in attack, the ball ended up at the feet of Dani Parejo, who tried his luck with a right-footed shot that was blocked by the home side’s defence.
With the first quarter of an hour gone, Getafe had their chance. Óscar shot from distance, Jorgensen cleared and the rebound fell to the feet of Mata. The Getafe striker connected with another attempt and the ball did not end up in the back of the net due to a spectacular save by the Villarreal goalkeeper, this time with his leg.
Pacheta’s side were down to one man in the 23rd minute when Álex Baena was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Mitrovic. Down to ten men, the Submarine pushed back their block looking for counter-attacks as their best weapon. Sorloth had a mission: to get the ball down and wait for his team-mates on the wing.
The coach from Burgos introduced changes at half-time with the aim of refreshing the team. Alberto Moreno came on for Pedraza and Kiko Femenía for Morales.
Villarreal were solid in defence waiting for their chance to take the lead. Sorloth had a chance with a header from Kiko Femenía’s cross that went narrowly over.
Jorgensen was the hero. The academy graduate was a brick wall between the sticks. Evidence of this was the tremendous save he made from Arambarri with ten minutes to go. A magnificent right hand at the base of the post.
The suffering was worth it. One more point for the Submarine after a very difficult match.
Villarreal’s next match will be in European competition. The Yellows will host Stade Rennais at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Thursday, 9pm CEST) in the second game of the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Lineups:
Getafe CF: David Soria; Djené, Mitrovic, Gastón, Diego Rico (Angileri, m. 81); Damián (Lozano, m. 81), Maksimovic, Arambarri, Óscar (Greenwood, m. 46); Mata (Latasa, m. 46), Borja Mayoral (Aleñá, m. 81).
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Foyth (R. Terrats, m. 71), Albiol, Gabbia, Pedraza (Alberto Moreno, m. 46); Parejo, Capoue; Morales (Kiko Femenía, m. 46), Baena, Yeremy (Mandi, m. 82); Sorloth (Brereton Díaz, m. 60).
Referee: Busquets Ferrer. Booked: Óscar & Greenwood (Getafe CF); Pedraza, Jorgensen, Yeremy, Kiko Femenía (Villarreal CF). Sent off: Baena (Villarreal CF).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Matchday 8 of the 2023/24 LALIGA EA SPORTS season at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
