Villarreal draws against Atlético and sees them achieve their best ever unbeaten run
A point worth its weight in gold. Villarreal matches Atlético de Madrid in the Vicente Calderón stadium and beats their best undefeated streak in the same season, with twelve consecutive Match Days without losing. Until now their best record dated back to the 2008/2009 campaign in which, under the management of the Chilean, Manuel Pellegrini, the Yellows went eleven matches unbeaten.
With not even two minutes on the clock the first controversial play of the game came. Samu Castillejo was taken down in the Red and White penalty area after a tackle by Saúl, but the referee, Prieto Iglesias, didn’t point to the spot..
The Submarine, well equipped at the back, didn’t concede much to the attacking ‘colchoneros’. With Bonera at centre back and Bailly at left back, the Yellows held strong and just lacked the final pass needed to convert one of their clear chances on goal.
Villarreal’s best chances in the first half were a shot that sailed over the bar by Rukavina (24th minute) and another shot hit wide with the left foot of Bonera from a corner (31st minute). On the other hand, Atlético de Madrid had a great chance with a header from Griezmann that brushed the post, after a cross from Juanfran (42nd minute).
In the second half the pace of the game didn’t change. Both teams fought 100% for every ball and blocked attacks easily. In spite of this, Bakambu had a great chance to put a point on the scoreboard in a spectacular counter attack that finished with a forward Rukavina pass to Bakambu himself whose shot went high and wide. A shame.
Just after, Adrián joined the action and got back on the pitch after almost five months of being out due to injury. The Asturian defender hadn’t played since 23rd September 2015 against Málaga. Great news.
The solid Yellow defence drove Atlético crazy. In this way, Villarreal were able to counterattack dangerously on numerous occasions. Denis Suárez taking advantage of yet another counterattack but was stopped between several defenders in their area.
With this result, the Submarine maintain their eight point advantage over Sevilla and stay in fourth place in the LaLiga table. Impassable.
Line-ups:
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Saúl (Kranevitter, m. 80); Correa (Vietto, m. 68), Griezmann (Óliver Torres, m. 61) and Fernando Torres.
Villarreal CF: Areola; Mario, Bonera, Víctor Ruiz, Bailly; Rukavina, Pina, Bruno, Samu Castillejo (Denis Suárez, m. 66); Bakambu (Leo Baptistao, m. 81) and Soldado (Adrián, m. 62).
Referee: Prieto Iglesias (Navarro). Cautioned: Gabi (m. 68) and Filipe Luis (m. 73) for the home side; likewise Samu Castillejo (m. 61) and Bailly (m. 76) for the visitiors.
Stadium: Vicente Calderón.
