Unai Emery’s side drew against Sporting CP thanks to an Álex Baena goal
Villarreal CF kicked off their pre-season with a draw against Sporting CP (1-1). The Yellows levelled the tie with Álex Baena’s second-half goal cancelling out Pedro Gonçalves’ opener.
As is often the case in pre-season, Unai Emery shared the minutes among his footballers for the match against Sporting CP. The Yellows started the game well, but it was the Portuguese side who went ahead thanks to a great long-distance Pedro Gonçalves goal before the break. The Portuguese winger’s right-footed effort from outside the box hit the post before creeping over the goal line.
In the second half, Villarreal took a step forward looking for the equaliser. It was Baena who levelled things up, finishing calmly after a fantastic ball to him by Alfonso Pedraza. The left-back, who got away from his marker well down the left hand side, got on the end of a great Dani Parejo ball, and laid it off for the young midfielder to score the Submarine’s first of pre-season.
The match against Sporting CP also saw José Luis Morales make his debut in Villarreal colours.
After the draw against Sporting CP (1-1), the Yellows will continue the European Summer Tour 2022 Color Star with a new friendly against PSV Eindhoven (Saturday, 7pm CEST) at the Philips Stadion.
Lineups:
Sporting CP: Antonio Adán; R. Esgaio, José Marsà, Inácio, Reis; Nuno Santos (Essugo, m. 65), M. Ugarte (Everton Santos, m. 65), Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves (Renato Veiga, m. 88); Bruno Tabata, (Trincao, m. 65) Paulinho.
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Mario Gaspar, Mandi (R. Albiol, m. 69), Cuenca, Dani Tasende (A. Pedraza, m. 60), Capoue (Coquelin, m. 69), M. Trigueros (Parejo, m. 69), Moi Gómez (Álex B., m. 69), A. J. Morales (Iborra, m. 83), N. Jackson (Danjuma, m. 60), Fer Niño (Gerard, m. 60).
Goal: 1-0. Min. 40: Pedro Gonçalves. 1-1. Min. 76: Álex Baena.
Referee: Ricardo Baixinho.
Matchday information: First friendly match of the European Summer Tour 2022 Villarreal CF Color Star. Villarreal and Sporting CP faced each other at the Estádio Algarve in Faro (Portugal).
