A brave and competitive Villarreal gets one point against Eibar but deserved better
A very consistent and hard working Villarreal managed to get one point at Ipurua (1-1) in a match were the Yellows improved their game during the 90 minutes and ended up deserving a better luck. Eibar played with a lot of intensity and managed to make themselves uncomfortable for Villarreal during more than 50 minutes of excellent defensive order. Marcelino’s men kept pushing and earning a well deserved reward. The final score meant a very valuable point for the Yellows, that will host Real Madrid at El Madrigal stadium this upcoming Saturday (4 pm).
MATCH SUMMARY
As expected, the local team Eibar played with an advanced defensive line that worked hard on pressuring the creative lines of Villarreal. The Submarine accepted this challenge from the very first moment and elaborated a high-paced passing game. The locals took advantage of an early goal by Arruabarrena on minute 9th, enjoying another clear chance just one minute later but Asenjo avoided it.
Eibar tried to keep their intensity during the first twenty minutes, but then the Yellows took the ball. Bravely, the Submarine started to get closer to Eibar’s box, who quickly came back defensively. Around the 14th minute, a great center pass by Cheryshev hit the headbar. We were getting close and the locals struggled defensively.
Eibar lost control after the halftime break. Aware of the difficulties, Marcelino’s men elaborated every play patiently in order to find a leak on the local defensive line. Around the 60th minute, Espinosa tried from the right but Irureta blocked his shot. Villarreal was deserving better and finally around the 70th minute Bruno saw Gerard in the right side of the box, gave the ball to him who dribbled and performed a skillful shot that went curved to the net. An outstanding goal, his first ever in the Spanish First Division.
On the 79th minute Vietto came very close to scoring but Eibar’s goalkeeper saved what could have been an impressive goal.
MATCH FACTS:
SD Eibar: Xabi Irureta; Lillo, Albentosa, Ekiza, Abraham; Dani Nieto (Capa, 46’), Boateng (Errasti, 79’), Dani García, Saúl, Arruabarrena; and Ángel (Javi Lara, 66’).
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Gabriel, Rukavina; Pina (Bruno, 46’), Jonathan dos Santos, Espinosa, Cheryshev (Moi Gómez, 79’); Gerard and Uche (Vietto, 46’).
Goals: 1-0, min. 9: Arruabarrena. 1-1 min. 70: Gerard.
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (Comité Cántabro). Yellow cards for Dani Nieto (27’), Abraham (34’) and Albentosa (90’) for Eibar and Pina (7’), Gabriel (27’), Cheryshev (49’) and Moi Gómez (83’) for Villarreal.
