Villarreal lost against Deportivo, but received an ovation for fans for their great season (0-2)
Villarreal lost to Deportivo de la Coruña in the last home, league match of the season at El Madrigal. The Submarine had chances to get a better result, but it was the Galician team that took away the three points thanks to goals by Fayçal and Lucas Pérez. Despite the defeat, the fans recognised the Yellows’ fantastic season with a loud, standing ovation at the end of the game.
The Galician side went straight for goal as they are fighting to stay up for next season. Luis Alberto hit Barbosa’s left post shortly after kick off with a placed shot that only missed by inches.
The Submarine didn’t take long to respond. Leo Baptistao got onto the end of a Bonera pass, his powerful shot just kept out by Manu Fernández (11th minute). The Yellows played balls over the top, causing danger for the Deportivo defence. In this way Marcelino’s side created another chance. Adrián played a great long ball to Leo Baptistao and the Brazilian’s left footed strike narrowly missed (26th minute).
The Galicians went ahead after the first half an hour of play. Fede Cartabia got the ball on the right wing and played a driven pass to Fayçal on the edge of the area, the Deportivo number 19 then hit a great, quality shot that went in off the post (0-1).
The Yellows kept trying to find the equaliser before the break. Mario coming close to scoring but his effort kept out by another excellent save by Manu.
The second half started with bad news for the Yellows. Lucas Pérez scored to make it 0-2 after a brilliant counterattack, where he got away from his marker and fired the ball past Barbosa with a great left footed strike (56th minute).
This didn’t dampen the Yellows’ spirits though and they came close to closing the gap with a Leo Baptistao header that came off the woodwork. Villarreal kept going until the end, but couldn’t put the ball in the back of Deportivo’s net.
Despite the defeat, El Madrigal gave their team a loud, standing ovation as a sign of gratitude for the Submarine’s great season, who clinched fourth place in the league and got to the Semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
Line-ups:
Villarreal CF: Barbosa; Mario, Bonera, Víctor Ruiz, Rukavina; Samu García, Trigueros (Jonathan dos Santos, m. 66), Bruno, Samu Castillejo (Denis Suárez, m. 60); Adrián (Bakambu, m. 60) and Leo Baptistao.
RC Deportivo: Manu Fernández; Laure, Arribas, Sidnei, Juanfran; Fede Cartabia (Jonás, m. 57), Álex Bergantiños, Mosquera, Fayçal; Luis Alberto (Cani, m. 84) and Lucas Pérez (Oriol Riera, m. 89).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 32: Fayçal. 0-2. Min. 56: Lucas Pérez.
Referee: Estrada Fernández (Catalonia, Spain). Cautioned: Bonera, Trigueros and Víctor Ruiz for the locals; Arribas for the visitors.
Stadium: El Madrigal.
