Villarreal fall to Valencia at the Estadio de la Cerámica (0-2)
Villarreal lost in the derby against Valencia at the Estadio de la Cerámica tonight; the visitors goals were scored by Carlos Soler and Santi Mina and both scored in the first half (0-2). This result ends the Yellows’ streak of five games unbeaten in the LaLiga Santander.
The match was even in the opening minutes. In fact, the Submarine almost opened the scoring with a well-placed shot by Pato that just missed Diego Alves’ top corner. Despite the attempt, it was Valencia that took the lead.
In the 34th minute Nani put in a driven cross from the left wing and the young Carlos Soler got on the end of it and struck the ball past Asenjo. The match got tougher. Even more so with a second for the visitors. Sergio Asenjo tried to dribble around Santi Mina but the Valencia striker tackled him and slotted the ball home into the open net.
Despite going down by two, Villarreal kept going until the final whistle. Thus, the Yellows started to create more chances in the second half. First it was Mario who forced Alves (m. 61) to make a stretching save with a powerful strike from the edge of the box and then Samu Castillejo (m. 67) who hit the post. The best chance though, without a doubt, fell to the boot of Alexandre Pato. The Brazilian striker looked to place his shot but the ball struck the left post of the Valencia goal. Hard luck.
Villarreal’s next match is against Granada CF at the Estadio de la Cerámica next Saturday 28th January (1pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa; Jonathan dos Santos (Santos Borré, m. 82), Bruno, Trigueros, Soriano (Castillejo, m. 60); Pato and Sansone.
Valencia CF: Diego Alves; Joao Cancelo, Garay, Mangala, Gayá; Parejo, Enzo Pérez, Carlos Soler (Mario Suárez, m. 77); Munir (Montoya, m. 86), Santi Mina (Zaza, m. 80) and Nani.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 34: Carlos Soler. 0-2. Min. 41: Santi Mina.
Referee: González González (Castile and León, Spain). Cautioned: Víctor Ruiz and Jaume Costa for the locals; Enzo Pérez and Garay for the visitors.
Match Information: Match corresponding to Matchday 19 in the LaLiga Santander played at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
