Villarreal tried everything but fell against the organised team from Vitoria
Villarreal lost against Alavés at the Estadio de la Cerámica despite trying everything to go away with something. The side from Vitoria went ahead through Guillermo Maripán, Santi Cazorla equalised from the penalty spot and Takeshi Inui scored the decisive goal to make it 1-2.
Javi Calleja once more lined up his side with a 3-5-2 formation. There was one change: Manu Morlanes in the centre of the team, with Vicente Iborra and Santi Cazorla the men left with the job of taking the ball towards the attack.
The first half was even, without many goalscoring opportunities. The best chances went to the Yellow Submarine. First, a great right-footed effort from distance from Carlos Bacca went just over the bar. Later, Cazorla tried his luck with his right foot, which Fernando Pacheco was equal to.
With the second half in its infancy, the away side took the lead. Maripán headed into the back of the net after a corner. The referee did not believe there was a foul on Ramiro Funes Mori despite the Argentine centre-back’s protests (0-1, m.53).
Villarreal responded with an attacking play full of suspense. Bacca fought for an aerial ball and his header soared straight up into the sky, on its way down it struck Manu García’s arm. The referee took the decision to VAR and left the pitch to review the play on the monitor, on his return he pointed straight to the spot. Cazorla stepped up to take the penalty for the Yellows and fired it home (1-1, m. 60).
Calleja went for it. He decided to put Gerard Moreno and Samu Chukwueze on for Karl Toko Ekambi and Funes Mori, changing to a 4-4-2.
Alavés went back in front through Inui (1-2). Jony received the ball on the left wing, got free of his mark and crossed the ball in for the Japanese footballer to convert (1-2, m. 77). From there, the Yellow Submarine went for it. The Yellows had their chances but could not find the back of the net.
Next up for Villarreal is a trip to Russia. The Yellow Submarine will visit Zenit St Petersburg in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 (Thursday, 6:55pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Álvaro, Funes Mori (Chukwueze, m. 75), Víctor Ruiz; Mario Gaspar, Morlanes (Fornals, m. 78), Iborra, Cazorla, Pedraza; Toko Ekambi (Gerard, m. 63), Bacca.
Deportivo Alavés: Pacheco; Vigaray, Laguardia, Maripán, Duarte; Inui (Wakaso, m. 84), Manu García (Pina, m. 70), Darko Brasanac, Jony; Borja Bastón (Burgui, m. 76), Calleri.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 53: Maripán. 1-1. Min. 60: Cazorla (pen). 1-2. Min. 77: Inui.
Referee: Munuera Montero. Booked: Álvaro and Víctor Ruiz (Villarreal); Calleri, Jony and Laguardia (Alavés).
Matchday information: LaLiga Matchday 26 at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of an attendance of 15,488.
