A solid Villarreal keep on picking up points despite having players out against Deportivo
Villarreal took away a point from their visit to the Riazor stadium (0-0) after a solid performance, despite having seven players out due to being either injured or penalized. In a match of few chances and with a fantastic performance by Asenjo, the Submarine picked up a point against the Galician side.
The first half was one of few chances. With a Deportivo side that came out all guns blazing, the Submarine focused on not leaving any gaps in defence that the Galician side would be able to take advantage of. Well organized at the back, the Yellows were looking to win the ball back and create danger on the counter, but the locals marked up well stopping the visitors from breaking.
The best two chances of the half, one for either side, came one after the other. In the 24th minute, Asenjo was really tested to keep out ex-Yellow Andone’s shot. The Romanian, with a narrow angle, shot at the near post, but with quick reflexes Asenjo pushed the ball out for a corner.
And the reply was instant. Two minutes later, José Ángel got to the byline and put in a great cross for Bruno, who hit a scorcher of a first time shot from the edge of the box. But Tyton, well positioned, kept out the Yellows best chance of the half with a stretching save.
The locals came out strong again in the second half. In the 59th minute, Adone hit the woodwork and Deportivo had the Yellows pinned back in their area for the first quarter of an hour. Nevertheless, Villarreal’s reaction came in time. Escribá’s men pushed forward and went in search of the white and blue goal, but the chances kept coming in dribs and drabs.
In the 70th minute, Castillejo cleverly let the ball run past him so Trigueros could hit a first time shot from the edge of the box, but the number 14’s shot sailed over. Possession went back and forth in the last twenty minutes and Asenjo made a brilliant save to keep out Joselu’s bullet of a header, clinching a point for the Yellow Submarine.
Lineups:
- RC Deportivo de la Coruña: Tyton; Laure, Sidnei, Arribas, Fernando Navarro, Marlos (Borja Valle, m. 75), Borges, Colak, Guilherme, Luisinho; and Florin Andone (Joselu, m. 83).
- Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, José Ángel; Jonathan dos Santos, Bruno, Trigueros, Samu Castillejo; Pato (N’Diaye, m. 85) and Santos Borré (Mario González, m. 67).
- Referee: Daniel Ocón Arráiz (La Rioja, Spain). Cautioned: Trigueros (m. 78) for Villarreal.
- Match Information: Match corresponding to Matchday 18 in the LaLiga Santander between RC Deportivo de la Coruña and Villarreal CF, played at the Estadio de Riazor in front of 19,917 spectators.
