The Yellows beat Bologna in a friendly played in San Marino thanks to goals from Moi Gómez, Cazorla, Chukwueze and Gerard
Villarreal won their last pre-season test ahead of the start of LaLiga against Granada. The Yellow Submarine beat Serie A side Bologna in a crazy friendly at the San Marino Stadium (3-4). Javi Calleja’s side’s goals came from Moi Gómez, Santi Cazorla, Samu Chukwueze and Gerard Moreno.
The match started well for the Yellows, with Gómez opening the scoring in the fifth minute after getting on the end of a through pass. The Italian side grew into the game and slowly started to increase the intensity of their play. The equaliser came after the Bologna strikers pressed the Villarreal defence bringing the ball out from the back. The ball fell to the feet of Rodrigo Palacio, who scored with a shot to the far post (1-1, m.24).
From there, the Yellow Submarine started to look more comfortable on the ball. The attacking combinations were threatening, although there were few clear chances. Karl Toko Ekambi had one in the 36th minute though. Gerard controlled a ball masterfully, opening up to the left and the Cameroonian striker’s right-footed effort hit the bar.
Bologna had a similar chance at the start of the second half. It was former Yellow Roberto Soriano who was denied by the woodwork, hitting the post just to the left of Sergio Asenjo.
The Yellows continued creating dangerous chances, but were lacking a bit of a killer instinct.
Cazorla’s magic invaded the San Marino Stadium in the 63rd minute. The midfielder took charge of a free-kick after a foul on Chukwueze. And he took charge in style. The Yellows No.8 tricked Łukasz Skorupski, with the ball flying into the back of the net (1-2).
They were a fruitful few minutes for Villarreal. Chukwueze scored not long after coming on. The Nigerian got the ball on the right, went onto his left foot and his powerful effort was out of the goalkeeper’s reach (1-3, m.66).
The Italians got one back with a quarter of an hour left. Federico Santander’s powerful effort went in despite Asenjo getting a touch on the ball (2-3).
Bologna drew level through a Takehiro Tomiyasu header in the 81st minute, but just three minutes later another great Yellows goal arrived. This time it was Gerard who put the ball in the top corner to make it 3-4.
Next up for Villarreal is the start of LaLiga, against Granada at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Saturday, 17th August).
Lineups:
Bologna FC: Skorupski; Mbaye, Bani, Denswil, Krejci, Svanberg, Kingsley, Soriano, Skov Olsen, Palacio, Sansone.
Also played: Orsolini, Poli, Santander, Danilo, Tomiyasu, Corbo.
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Rubén Peña, Albiol, Pau, Quintillà; Anguissa, Cazorla; Moi Gómez, Iborra, Toko Ekambi; Gerard.
Also played: Chukwueze, Trigueros, Funes Mori, Mario Gaspar, Bacca, Morlanes.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 5: Moi Gómez. 1-1. Min. 24: Palacio. 1-2. Min. 63: Cazorla. 1-3. Min. 66: Chukwueze. 2-3. Min. 75: Santander. 3-3. Min. 81: Tomiyasu. 3-4. Min. 84: Gerard.
Referee: Luca Barbeno (San Marino). Booked: Krejci (Bologna); Albiol (Villarreal).
Stadium: San Marino Stadium.
