Villarreal came back from a 2-0 deficit vs Osmanlispor thanks to goals from N’Diaye and Pato
Villarreal picked up a point against Osmanlispor in a match they had to pull back two goals in, thanks to N’Diaye and Pato, after going 2-0 down. The Submarine could even have won the match as Bruno missed a penalty, which saw the sending off of Güven for the locals. This draw means the Yellows continue with their spectacular run of 11 games unbeaten between LaLiga Santander (8) and UEFA Europa League competitions (3).
Fran Escribá made up to eight changes in the starting line up compared to those that started in the thrashing of Celta in the previous LaLiga fixture. The Yellows were the first to have a clear chance in the game, after Rukavina’s cross from the right wing was volleyed acrobatically by N’Diaye, but his effort just missed the top corner (m.14).
The match took a twist in the 22nd minute. Lawal put a nice ball over the top for Vrsajevic and Osmanlispor’s right back crossed to Rusescu in the box, who just had to tap home. Only a few seconds later it was 2-0. The Submarine kicked off, but the Turkish side won the ball back straight away and it was Rusescu once again who scored, this time with a long range shot that took Andrés Fernández by surprise. Two goals in only a few seconds.
Despite the setback Villarreal reacted. Santos Borré came close to closing the gap after a great control to set himself up for a shot in the box, that forced Ankan to make a fine save (m.33).
The start of the second half was frantic. In the 54th minute Pato was taken down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty and sent off Güven. Bruno missed the penalty, but the Yellows’ first came only seconds later. Samu Castillejo put in a perfect corner kick and N’Diaye hit a first time volley in at the front post with his left foot. It was the first goal for the number 4 in a Villarreal shirt.
The goal really boosted Fran Escribá’s men as from then on the Submarine dominated. The Yellows insistence was soon rewarded with the equalizer. Samu Castillejo held the ball up as Rukavina overlapped him and played a pass to the by-line, the Serbian then brilliantly pulled back a driven cross for Pato who just had to tap the ball into the open net.
With this result, the Submarine stay on top of Group L in the UEFA Europa League, with five points from three games. Villarreal’s next match in this competition will be against the Turkish side again, at El Madrigal (Thursday 3rd November, 9:05pm CET).
Line-ups:
Osmanlispor FK: Ankan; Vrsajevic, Numan, Demir, Tiago Pinto; Umar, N’Diaye, Lawal (Güven, m. 38), Delarge; Maher (Prochakza, m. 56) and Rusescu (Regattin, m. 79).
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández; Rukavina, Álvaro, Bonera, José Ángel; Jonathan dos Santos (Soriano, m. 70), N’Diaye (Sansone, m. 81), Bruno, Castillejo; Pato and Santos Borré (Bakambu, m. 64).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 22: Rusescu. 2-0. Min. 23: Rusescu. 2-1. Min. 55: N’Diaye. 2-2. Min. 73: Pato.
Referee: Liran Liany (ISR). Cautioned: Demir for the locals; Santos Borré, Castillejo and Álvaro for the visitors. Direct red card for Güven (m. 53).
Stadium: Osmanli.
