The Yellows fall at the Villamarín after getting close to a draw with a penalty in the last minute (2-1)
Villarreal lost to Betis (2-1) at the Benito Villamarín. Luck once more evaded the Yellows, who had the chance to equalise in the last minute from the penalty spot. Santi Cazorla’s effort was saved by Pau López, and he was unable to draw his side level as the match was approaching its close. A Giovani Lo Celso brace left the Yellows without a point from a tight tie. Ramiro Funes Mori scored the Villarreal goal.
Javi Calleja continued with nearly the same team that faced Barcelona. The only change from the 4-4 draw was the absence of Álvaro through suspension, with Daniele Bonera taking his place.
The craziness started early on. Both teams went out with a daring style, with rhythm and keen to take hold of the duel from the opening minutes. The first chance fell to the home team. A cross from Emerson touched Pedraza, making an alert Sergio Asenjo pull off a great save to keep the ball out.
The Yellows reacted quickly, with Samu Chukwueze making López pull off a save after a quick counter-attack.
With such a frenetic start, the goals quickly appeared on the scoreboard. In the 11th minute, Lo Celso lobbed Asenjo to put the home side ahead. They were not cheering for long though, as just two minutes later, the Yellows pulled level. Argentine defender Funes Mori scored the equaliser with a spectacular header from the heart of the area after a Cazorla corner.
With nearly half an hour on the clock, unfortunate circumstances forced Calleja to change his initial plan. Bonera went off injured. He was replaced by midfielder Santi Cáseres and Villarreal switched to a 4-3-1-2.
The Yellows were putting in a good shift. They were forcing the home side back with an asphyxiating pressure, and they were moving the ball around the opposition half with ease. Cazorla had the best chance, making López pull off a great save after a free-kick in the 36th minute.
The second half started with spells of possession for both sides. Neither team could find that cutting edge or had real clear chances straight after the break.
But in the 62nd minute, after three great interventions from Asenjo, Lo Celso picked up a loose ball in the box to make it 2-1.
Searching for the equaliser, Calleja looked to the bench, bringing on Carlos Bacca and Gerard Moreno. In the 89th minute, the chance came from the penalty spot after the referee blew up for a Marc Bartra handball. Cazorla took responsibility, but was denied by López and the Yellows left the Benito Villamarín empty-handed.
Next up for Villarreal is a UEFA Europa League match on Thursday against Valencia (Estadio de la Cerámica, 9pm CEST):
Lineups:
Real Betis: Pau López; Mandi, Bartra, Feddal; Emerson, Canales (Joaquín, m. 66), William Carvalho, Guardado, Tello; Lo Celso (Junior, m. 72), Jesé (Javi García, m. 79).
Villarreal CF: S. Asenjo; Bonera (Cáseres, m. 27), Funes Mori, Víctor Ruiz; Mario Gaspar, Morlanes (Gerard, m. 72), Iborra, S. Cazorla, Pedraza; Chukwueze (Bacca, m. 64), Toko Ekambi.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 11: Lo Celso. 1-1. Min. 13: Funes Mori. 2-1. Min. 63: Lo Celso.
Referee: Estrada Fernández. Booked: Jesé, Feddal, Carvalho, Tello (Real Betis); Chukwueze, Víctor Ruiz, Cáseres, Mario Gaspar (Villarreal).
Match information: Match between Real Betis and Villarreal CF, corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 31 at the Benito Villamarín in front of an attendance of 28,475. A minute’s silence was held in memory of Gregorio Conejo and Rogelio Sosa.
