Villarreal lose against Real Sociedad after a Brais Méndez goal
Villarreal lost at the Reale Arena against Real Sociedad (1-0). The only goal from an intense game came from Brais Méndez just after the half-hour mark.
Unai Emery freshened things up, making nine changes from the starting XI against Austria Wien in the midweek UEFA Europa Conference League match. Only Francis Coquelin and Arnaut Danjuma.
The Submarine started the match looking solid in defence, stopping the constant onslaught from the home side time and time again. As a result, there were no clear goal-scoring chances until the 32nd minute. It was then that Mikel Merino slipped a pass over the top for Méndez, who opened the scoring as Gero Rulli tried to make the save (1-0).
Villarreal were struggling to create danger. Because of this, Unai Emery made two changes at half-time. Nico Jackson and José Luis Morales came on to give the Yellows a fresh look.
Morales could have equalised. It was the 54th minute when the Yellow No.22’s shot just went wide of the Real Sociedad goal.
Real Sociedad replied with Sorloth as the dangerman. Rulli prevented the home side from extending their lead.
Emery’s team pushed until the end, but without reward. They could have had the equaliser in stoppage time. Morales received an ball from Samu Chukwueze and his shot was saved by Álex Remiro.
Next up for Villarreal is an away match to Austria Wien on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage against Austria Wien (Thursday, 6:45pm CEST).
Lineups:
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Sola, Aritz (Le Normand, m. 80), Pacheco, Aihen; Brais Méndez (Turrientes, m. 80), Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Silva (Cho, m. 73); Kubo (Navarro, m. 87), Sorloth (Carlos Fernández, m. 73).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Kiko Femenía (Mandi, m. 80), Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza; Yeremy (Jackson, m. 46), Capoue (Chukwueze, m. 80), Parejo, Coquelin (Baena, m. 63); Lo Celso, Danjuma (Morales, m. 46).
Goal: 1-0. Min. 32: Brais Méndez.
Árbitro: Soto Grado. Booked: Silva, Brais Méndez, Aritz, Sola, Carlos Fernández (Real Sociedad); Lo Celso, Albiol, Pau (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Matchday 8 of the 2022/23 LaLiga season at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián. Attendance: 32,689. A minute’s silence was held in memory of Real Sociedad fan Txomin Landa.
