Villarreal led in the first half, but the French fought back after the break
Villarreal CF lost to Saint-Étienne (3-1) in their third pre-season friendly, the last one on French soil before returning to Vila-real this Saturday.
The Yellows outplayed the French side in the first half and went into the break ahead after a stoppage time goal from Sergi Cardona. In the second half, Saint-Étienne, led by Davitashvili – who scored twice – turned the scoreline around.
There was a half for each team in Thonon-les-Baines. The Submarine took the field with a very recognisable XI and outplayed their opponents in the first half. They had control of the game and did more to take the lead. Marcelino’s side opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. After a great move by Danjuma attacking into space, the Dutchman crossed to the far post for Sergi Cardona to pop up and make it 0-1.
However, the scenery changed in the second half. The carousel of substitutions suited the French better than the Yellows, who lost control of the ball and suffered from ASSE’s attacks. Ten minutes into the second half, Davitashvili struck with a stunning goal to level the score. Just five minutes later, the French took advantage of the attacking momentum to turn the score around through Othman. In stoppage time, Davitashvili again struck a long-range effort to make it 3-1.
Line-ups
AS Saint-Étienne: Larsoneeur; Appiah, Abdelhamid, Briancon, Boakye, Cafaro, Old, Macon, Gauthier, Mouton, Wadji. Also played: Owusu, Sarahoui, Davitashvili, Sissoko, Nzuzi, Batubinsika. Pedro, Fomba, Othman, Green.
Villarreal CF: Diego Conde; Foyth, E. Bailly, J. Cuenca, S. Cardona; Yeremy, Santi C. V., Parejo, Denis Suárez, Danjuma, Sorloth. Also played: Iker Álvarez, R. Albiol, Mandi, M. Trigueros, Kiko F., R. Terrats, A. Solà, Pau Cabanes, Haissem, Alassane.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 45+1: S. Cardona. 1-1. Min. 56: Davitashvili. 2-1. Min. 60: Othman. 3-1. Min. 90: Davitashvili.
Referee: Jeremy Pignard.
Matchday information: Third pre-season friendly for Villarreal CF against AS Saint-Étienne, at the Stade Joseph Moynat in Thonon-les-Baines.
