Villarreal fall to Real Madrid in a game that got worse as it went on (3-0)
A heavy punishment. Villarreal lost 3-0 to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in a match that just got worse and worse. In spite of the defeat the Yellows still sit in fourth place in the table, six points above Athletic and Celta, who are their closest followers, with only four matches (12 points) to go until the end of the league.
In their third match in only seven days, Marcelino changed the starting line-up considerably with respect to the starting eleven against Rayo Vallecano, making five changes.
The Submarine defended in a well-organized manner in the first half. The White forwards couldn’t find an opening to create any goal scoring opportunities, while the Yellows were waiting and ready to exploit them on the counter attack.
Clear chances were scarce in the first half. The 1-0 came for the locals in the 40th minute. Cristiano got free down the left wing, put a strong cross into the box and Asenjo saved but Benzema headed home from the rebound.
Before half time the Yellows went all out to get the equaliser. Their best chance was a great counter attack that saw Denis Suárez test Keylor Navas, who was equal to it making an agile save.
In the second half things kept going as they were before. The Submarine were more intense and fisty than Madrid, but they struggled to create danger up front with the Costa Rican keeper, Keylor Navas, playing well between the posts. Marcelino made some changes, putting on Samuel García and Leo Baptistao to freshen things up in attack.
But it was Real Madrid that got the second goal of the game, making it 2-0 in the 68th minute. Lucas Vázquez beat his opponent for speed and surprised Asenjo burying a shot just inside the front post. The Whites made the most of their momentum and soon made it 3-0, Modric converting a nice volley from a Danilo cross from the right wing in the 75th minute.
Villarreal kept trying to score and kept going until the referee blew the final whistle. The Submarine are already thinking about their next match against Real Sociedad at El Madrigal (Sunday, 8:30pm CET).
Line-ups:
Real Madrid CF: Keylor Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric (James, m. 78), Casemiro, Kroos (Isco, m. 73); Lucas Vázquez (Jesé, m. 83), Benzema and Cristiano.
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Bonera, Bailly, Rukavina; Jonathan dos Santos (Samuel García, m. 61), Trigueros (Rodri, m. 73), Bruno, Denis Suárez; Adrián (Leo Baptistao, M. 64) and Bakambu.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 40: Benzema. 2-0. Min. 68: Lucas Vázquez. 3-0. Min. 75: Modric.
Referee: Clos Gómez (Aragon, Spain). Cautioned: Danilo and Casemiro for the locals; Trigueros for the visitors.
Further Information: Match in correspondence with LaLiga BBVA Match Day 34, played at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The World Ice-skating Champion, Javier Fernández, took the honorary kick off.
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