The Submarine suffer their first defeat in the Conference League against Lech Poznan
Villarreal lost their final UEFA Europa Conference League group stage game against Lech Poznan. The home side’s effectiveness on the counter-attack dictated the outcome in a game in which Quique Setién’s men had chances in the first half to take the lead, compared to a lack of attacking production in the second half.
The Submarine visited Poland to face Lech Poznan in the final matchday of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage with peace of mind of having confirmed top spot in the group on Matchday 4 of the competition. Quique Setién opted to rotate a large part of the starting lineup he fielded last Sunday at San Mamés – only Aïssa Mandi, Francis Coquelin and José Luis Morales kept their spots – but failed to get the win against the Polish side (3-0), who advance from the group stage as runners-up.
Once again, the team from the Yellows side opted for control of the ball as a weapon to overcome the Polish defence. Nico Jackson, very active during the first minutes of the game with constant runs behind the defence in some actions and coming down to receive the ball in others, had the first big chance for the team in the 12th minute. The forward beat a Polish defender with a magnificent touch in the air and then volleyed the ball which was saved by the home goalkeeper.
Villarreal’s impressive possession made it easier for Setién’s side to get into their opponents’ box, and in the 15th minute they had another great chance to take the lead. Johan Mojica played a pass back from the byline for Morales, but the ball was just behind him, preventing him from pushing the ball home.
In the 25th minute Jorge Cuenca, with a great long run, set up Coquelin who, after a one-two with Yeremy Pino, had an effort that went off target.
Despite the Yellows’ dominance, it was Lech Poznan who broke the initial deadlock just two minutes after the midfielder’s chance. Valde sent the ball into the back of the net after Mandi had previously cleared a header off the line. At half-time, Villarreal were 1-0 down.
At the start of the second half, John van den Brom’s side would increase their lead through Skoras, who scored from a few metres from the goal after an impressive team move
In the 77th minute, Skoras scored the third and definitive goal after a counter-attack. The game ended 3-0 at the Stadion Poznań.
Villarreal CF, who sealed their place as group winners on Matchday 4, go into the quarter-finals of the competition, and will know their opponents on 24th February in the draw.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Reina; Dela (min. 76, Kiko F.), Mandi, J. Cuenca, J. Mojica (min. 67, Alberto M.); Morlanes (min. 76, Parejo), Coquelin (min. 76, Capoue), M. Trigueros, Yeremy; N. Jackson, A. J. Morales (min. 67, Danjuma).
Lech Poznan: Bednarek; Joel Pereira, L. Satka, Milic, P. Rebocho; R. Murawski, N. Kvekveskiri (min. 90, Salamon), F. Marchwinski (min. 73, Czerwinski); Velde (min. 73, Szymczak), Skoras, Ishak (min. 88, Dagerstal).
Goals: 1-0. Min 27: Valde. 2-0. Min. 51: Skoras. 3-0. Min. 78: Skoras.
Referee: Nathan Verboomen (Bélgica). Booked: M. Trigueros.
Matchday information: Match between Lech Poznan and Villarreal CF, corresponding to Matchday 6 of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage at the Stadion Poznań (Poland).
