Villarreal overcomes Hajduk Split led by a fantastic José Luis Morales who scored a brace
El Villarreal golpeó primero ante el Hajduk Split (4-2). El conjunto de Unai Emery se estrenó con victoria como local en el Ciutat de València. Los amarillos se adjudicaron el partido de ida de la fase previa de la UEFA Conference League gracias a un doblete de un excelso José Luis Morales y los tantos de Gerard Moreno y Livaja en propia puerta.
Villarreal hit the first blow against Hajduk Split (4-2). Unai Emery’s side got a win in their first match at the Ciutat de València. The Yellows tasted victory the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier thanks to a brace from an excellent José Luis Morales, a goal from Gerard Moreno and a Livaja own goal.
It was time for the Conference League! Villarreal hosted Hajduk Split in the first home game at the Ciutat de València. More than 11,000 Submarine fans filled the stands of Levante’s stadium, Villarreal’s new home while the renovation of the Estadio de la Cerámica is being completed.
The Yellows were shocked to see their Croatian opponents take the lead in the very first minute. Stipe Biuk slammed Livaja’s cross into the net. It was time for a comeback at the Ciutat.
Villarreal’s reaction didn’t take long. Before the 15-minute mark, Morales scored the equaliser after an excellent piece of individual play. ‘El Comandante’ showed his quality to get past two defenders before slotting the ball home past the Croatian keeper.
While the stands were still celebrating the equaliser, a free-kick from Álex Baena was headed into the Hajduk Split goal by Marko Livaja. Emery’s team came from behind in just a few minutes in a game that had become very difficult.
Villarreal were already in the lead, but they were not satisfied with just a one-goal advantage. Unai Emery’s men wanted more. In the 37th minute, Morales scored the third. The second in his own account. The Yellows No.22 drew a fantastic breakaway that Samu Chukwueze quickly spotted. The Nigerian set him up with a precise pass into space for the forward to finish expertly.
With the first half gone, the Submarine scored their fourth of the night. Morales was unstoppable on the counter-attack. Before he had got inside the box, the attacking midfielder laid the ball off for Gerard to fire past Kalinic with a left-footed shot.
In the second half, Villarreal dropped a couple of gears and Emery gave minutes to Pau Torres, Dani Parejo, Gio Lo Celso and Kiko Femenía, who made his debut in an official match for the Yellows. Shortly afterwards, Nico Jackson came on.
With ten minutes to go, Aïssa Mandi caught Kalinic in the face and the referee awarded a penalty to the Croatian side. Fossati converted from the spot.
With the score at 4-2, the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Play-off Round came to an end. Next Thursday, Villarreal will travel to Croatia to try to seal qualification in the second leg, which will be played in the city of Split.
Lineups
Villarreal CF: Pepe Reina; A. Pedraza (Kiko F., m. 61), J. Cuenca, Mandi, Dela (Pau, m. 61); Coquelin, Morlanes (Parejo, m. 61), Álex B.; A.J. Morales (N. Jackson, m. 73), Gerard (Lo Celso, m. 61), Chukwueze.
Hadjuk Split: L. Kalinic; D. Melnjak, J. Elez (Marco Ezio Fossati, m. 79), T. Borevkovic, D. Mikanovic (G. Lovrencsics, m.70); S. Biuk, C. Awaziem, F. Krovinovic, L. Grgic, E. Sahiti (Jan Mlakar, m. 70); M. Livaja (Nikola Kalinic, m. 79; Jani Atanasov, m. 85).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 2: Biuk. 1-1. Min. 14: A. J. Morales. 2-1. Min. 19: Marko Livaja (p.p.). 3-1. Min. 36: A. J. Morales. 4-1. Min. 45: Gerard. 4-2. Min: 85: Marco Ezio Fossati.
Referee: Alexey Kulbakov (Belarus). Booked: Álex B. & Mandi (Villarreal); Marko Livaja, Emir Sahiti, Chidozie Awaziem & Gergo Lovrencsics (Hadjuk Split).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Hajduk Split, corresponding to the UEFA Conference League Play-Off Round First Leg, at the Ciutat de València in front of an attendance of 11,275.
