A hard-working and combative Villarreal came up empty-handed against Athletic (2-0)
Villarreal came away empty-handed from their visit to Athletic Club at San Mamés (2-0) in a game where the Yellows, despite showing hard work and determination, were unable to overcome a strong Basque side who played their cards perfectly to take the win.
The first half was feisty and hard fought. Athletic came out in a flurry and started to cause problems right from the start. Pressing high up the pitch, the home side forced Villarreal to move the ball quickly, forcing the Yellows to make a lot of mistakes at the start. The home side scored in the 15th minute with a header from Aitor Paredes in the six-yard box from Ruiz de Galarreta’s corner.
The goal woke up the Submarine, who began to shake off the pressure little by little. On the 20-minute mark, Gueye, a key player in attack for the visitors, sent the ball into the back of the net with a great shot from Baena’s free-kick, but the referee disallowed his goal for offside. In the 35th minute, Gueye again came close to equalising after hitting a first-time shot on the turn, but his shot ended up going over.
The control gradually shifted in favour of the Submarine, who had their best chance five minutes before half-time. From a cross from the left by Baena, Yeremy arrived from the second line and connected with a tremendous diving header that Agirrezabala, making the save of the game, was able to keep out at the last moment.
The second half brought a change of pace. Athletic pushed back their lines and looked for the breakaway to come out with speed on the counter. Villarreal took the initiative and, in the 54th minute, Comesaña put in a great header from Baena’s cross, but the ball went just to the left of the post.
In the 69th minute, their tactics paid off when Iñaki Williams raced down the right with a cross-shot which, to the Yellows’ great misfortune, left Diego Conde injured and asking for a substitution. It was 2-0 and things were looking bleak for the Submarine.
After the goal, the home side tried to put the game to bed against a stubborn and resistant Villarreal, but the scoreline remained unchanged and the Yellows returned from San Mamés empty-handed.
Villarreal’s next game will be on Sunday 15th December at the Estadio de la Cerámica against Real Betis (6:30pm CET), on Matchday 17 of the 2024/25 LALIGA EA Sports season.
