Villarreal wrap up their LaLiga season in a frenetic duel against Atletico de Madrid at the Estadio de la Ceramica
Villarreal brought the season to a close against Atlético de Madrid (2-2). The Yellows ended the season with a draw against the Red and Whites in a match with nothing at stake for the home side. The Submarine took the lead, Atlético came from behind and Jorge Pascual equalised in extra time.
The Submarine closed the league championship against an exceptional rival, Atlético de Madrid. It was a great game to end the season with a win in front of their home fans. Despite there being no interests at stake for the home side, Quique Setién’s team took to the pitch with a lot of energy and desire to get the ball rolling.
Before the tenth minute, Nico Jackson picked up a deflected ball in the opposition box and made no mistake in front of Grbic. The Senegalese striker hit a fantastic cross-shot to make it 1-0 at the Estadio del la Cerámica.
The match promised to be a spectacle and it would end up being so. Before the 20th minute, the away team had already equalised with a goal from Correa. The Argentinian scored from Griezmann’s pass in a set-piece action in which Cholo Simeone’s strategy worked.
The visitors’ equaliser did not dampen Villarreal’s spirits. Setién’s side in no way altered their approach and continued to search for the rival goal. After 40 minutes, in two successive actions, players from both teams claimed penalties, but the referee did not award a penalty in either area. And to bring the first half to an end, Capoue crashed a powerful missile from the edge of the area against the angle of post and bar
In the second half, close to the hour mark, Correa scored the second red goal for Atleti at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Argentine striker finished off a dizzying counter-attack led by Griezmann. The same players who made it 1-1. Correa got the ball alone in front of Jorgensen, whom he got round, before scoring with pleasure.
With the score against them, the Submarine stepped up in search of an equaliser. Especially from the 70th minute onwards, when Atlético de Madrid were down a man after Witsel was sent off. The Belgian defender was shown the red card for a challenge on Lo Celso when he was left alone in front of the red and white goalkeeper.
In stoppage time, Jorge Pascual pounced on a loose ball in the box to score his first goal in a Villarreal shirt and bring the score level at 2-2. With the goal, the Submarine closed a remarkable season.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Kiko F. (J. Cuenca, m. 46), Mandi (J. Pascual, m. 85), Pau, Alberto M. (J. Mojica, m. 84); M. Trigueros (Álex B., m. 66), Parejo, Capoue; Chukwueze (Lo Celso, m. 66), N. Jackson, Yeremy.
Atlético de Madrid: Grbic (A. Gomis, m. 84); Molina L., Savic, Witsel, M. Hermoso; Saúl, Koke, Barrios, Reguilón (Lemar, m. 84), Griezmann, Correa (Morata, m. 84).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 9: N. Jackson. 1-1. Min. 18: Correa. 1-2. Min. 56: Correa. 2-2. Min. 90+3: J. Pascual.
Referee: De Burgos Bengoetxea. Booked: Alberto M., Capoue, Álex B. (Villarreal CF); Correa, Barrios (Atlético de Madrid). Sent off: Witsel (Atlético de Madrid, 71’).
Matchday inforamtion: Match ebtween Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid, corresponding to Gameweek 38 of the 2022/23 LaLiga season, at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendance: 18,226.
