The Mini Submarine fall against Alavés thanks to a penalty and a late goal
Villarreal B faced a very difficult task when they visited Segunda leaders Deportivo Alavés, despite having improved considerably in recent away games. The Yellows came close to earning a point in Vitoria, but a Salva Sevilla penalty and a late Benavidez header prevented a draw.
The Mini Submarine took possession of the ball from the first moments of the game and dropped off well after losing the ball to make it difficult for the Basque side to counter-attack. Sergio Carreira, positioned on the right flank in front of Migue Leal, gave the team a lot of depth and was in charge of helping the Villarreal player in the moments without the ball with the double full-back.
Diego Collado had the first clear chance with a shot that hit the post, with Sivera no table to reach it. A minute later, the home side had the chance to hit back, but an impressive Filip Jorgensen stopped a potential goal.
In the final stretch of the first half, a penalty was awarded after a VAR review, saw Jorgensen concede, after he guessed Salva Sevilla’s intentions, but failed to stop the ball. On the stroke of half-time, Collado had the chance to equalise with a header that went high after Javi Ontiveros’ cross. However, the score at half-time was still a negative one for the Mini Submarine.
In the second half, Miguel Álvarez’s men were solid in defence and tried to generate danger, but Alavés were well contained at the back and knew how to defend the result. With 20 minutes remaining, the head coach introduced Juan Carlos Arana, Álex Forés and Sergio Lozano in a triple substitution with the aim of changing the dynamic of the game.
Arana created danger with the first ball he touched with a splendid piece of control and almost got away. Then, in another piece of play, he executed a perfect breakaway, but Sivera was quick off his line prevented the one-on-one.
Shortly afterwards, Alavés scored their second goal with Benavidez’s header sentencing the game, before Mbacke was sent off just before the end of normal time. Thus, Villarreal B were unable to equalise and get a positive result from their visit to Vitoria despite the effort and good play of the home side.
Next up for Villarreal B will be against Leganés on Saturday 3rd December at 9pm CET at the Mini Estadi.
Lineups:
Deportivo Alavés: Sivera; N. Tenaglia, Abqar, A. Sedlar (m. 67, Benavidez), Maras, R. Duarte; Alkain (m. 73, Jason), Salva Sevilla (m. 82, Moya), Guridi (m. 73, Roberto), L. Rioja; Miguel.
Villarreal B: Jorgensen; M.A. Leal, Mbacke, P. Iñiguez, Tasende; S. Carreira (m. 70, S. Lozano), Carlo, Del Moral, Ontiveros (m. 79, Haissem); Collado (m. 70, Forés), Fer Niño (m. 70, Arana).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 44: Salva Sevilla. 2-0. Min. 85: Benavidez.
Referee: Guzmán Mansilla. Booked: Guridi, A. Sedlar (Alavés); Collado, Tasende, S. Lozano, Arana (Villarreal B). Sent off: Mbacke (Villarreal B).
Matchday information: Match between Deportivo Alavés and Villarreal B, corresponding to Matchday 17 of the 2022/23 LaLiga SmartBank season, at Mendizorroza.
