Villarreal fall 3-2 in Fran Escribá’s debut, before playing their Champions League Play-off tie
Villarreal fell 3-2 to Leganés in Fran Escribá’s debut as Villarreal manager, which was the Yellows’ last friendly before the start of the season this Wednesday against Monaco, in the first leg of their Champions League Play-off tie.
The Madrid side went ahead from the first set play of the match, in a first half that was open and saw both teams have chances, the locals the more clinical of the two. Roberto Soriano was the best for the Yellows with his breakaways down the wing and down the middle, showing his quality and vision of the game with some great through balls. Sansone was also very active and dynamic up front.
In the second half, Fran Escribá’s men were much better than the home side and their collective work and pressure had its reward, as Villarreal equalized through Mario González. The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, but Rodri’s bad pass out from the back fell to Guerrero, who put Lega back in front. Almost immediately after, Mario was brought down in the box and Sansone converted the penalty. It was end to end stuff but then, history repeated itself and: when the Subamrine were most deserved of the victory, a strange play in the area caused the referee to make a more than controversial penalty call, which Szymanowski sent into the back of the net.
Line-ups
CD Leganés: Serantes; Bustinza, Víctor Díaz, Adrián Marín; Szymanowski, Timor, Alberto Martín, Unai López; Gabriel and Guerrero.
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández (Barbosa, 46’); Rukavina, Mario (Bonera, 46’), Víctor Ruiz, José Ángel (Jokic, 46’); N’Diaye (Larrea, 61’), Rodri (Pablo Álvarez, 86’), Castillejo (Akale, 61’), Soriano (Cantalapiedra, 46’); Pato (Mario González, 46’) and Sansone.
Goals: 1-0, 21’: Víctor Díaz. 1-1, 55’: Mario González. 2-1, 60’: Guerrero. 2-2, 65’: Sansone de penalti. 3-2, 82’: Szymanowski de penalti.
Referee: Santiago Jaime Latre (Aragon, Spain).
Match Information: Match corresponding to the ‘XXXVII Trofeo Villa de Leganés’, played at the Municipal Butarque stadium.
