Villarreal Women start the year with a defeat in the Valencian derby
Villarreal Women lost the regional derby (0-5). Levante UD took the win at the Mini Estadi in a tough encounter for the Yellows, who suffered from a lack of creative brilliance and their opponents punished them with forcefulness.
The visitors dominated possession from the opening stages of the game, forcing the Submarine to close down space at the back and rely on the counter-attack as their main attacking threat.
Midway through the first half, and with some good fortune, the visitors opened the scoring at the Mini Estadi. Andonova’s shot hit Soldevila, took a deflection and went into the back of the goal defended by Elena de Toro.
In the first half, Levante would also find the second goal. This time it came from Alba Redondo. The Levante striker finished with great precision a move by the visitors from the left flank. Her drive from inside the area was unreachable for the yellow goalkeeper.
Sara Monforte’s team came out in the second half with the firm intention of closing the gap and getting back into the game. On the hour mark, Fatou Kanteh’s shot from the edge of the area was saved by Holmgren.
Just when the Submarine were at their most lively, Levante struck with forcefulness to put the game to bed. The Granotas scored two goals in three minutes. Both were scored by Mayra Ramírez. In the final stretch, Alba Redondo closed the game with another goal.
Line-ups:
Villarreal CF: Elena de Toro; Nerea, Giménez, Queralt, F. Lara; Raquel; Lucía Gómez (Mar, m. 85), Soldevila, Ainoa, Raquel; McKenna (Salvador, m. 75), Kanteh (Tere, m. 75).
Levante UD: Holmgren; S. Lloris; M. Méndez (Alharilla, m. 74), N. Mendoza, P. Tomás; P. Fernández (Estela, m. 82), L. Baños, N. Andonova, Sosa Martín (A. Torrodà, m. 66); M. Ramírez (Gabi Nunes, m. 74), Alba Redondo (Daniela, m. 82).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 25: Soldevila (OG). 0-2. Min. 39: Alba Redondo. 0-3. Min. 68: M. Ramírez. 0-4. Min. 71: M. Ramírez. 0-5. Min. 78: Alba Redondo.
Referee: Paola Cebollada. Booked: Queralt (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal Women and Levante Women, corresponding to Matchday 13 of the 2023/24 LIGA F season, at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground. Attendance: 350.
