Villarreal drew against Young Boys in an open game and stay top of Group F
The Yellows drew (3-3) in the match corresponding to Matchday 4 of the UEFA Youth League group stage. The Swiss team, who never led on the scoreboard, were able to fight back after goals from Álex Jiménez, Antonio Pacheco and Joan Torrents in a match with a frenetic tempo.
Pere Martí’s side took control of the ball from the opening stages, and in the opening ten minutes, they had two big opportunities at Jiménez’s feet, but he was unable to find the net.
However, Villarreal’s No.7 did not give up, and after a great piece of individual play, he won a penalty for Villarreal, which he stepped up to score with a panenka in the 13th minute. It was his first goal in the UEFA Youth League, and he made it 1-0 at the Mini Estadi. However, ten minutes later, the Swiss side drew level after a cross from out wide which Young Boys striker Appiah headed into the back of the net. André Niederhaüser’s team were level.
The match got back underway after the goal, and went the same way as before, with the Yellows having possession, looking for a second goal to go ahead once more before half-time. They nearly did so from a set piece, with a free-kick taken by Pacheco which found Jiménez’s head, but he was denied by the bar. It was 1-1 at half-time, with everything to decide in the second half.
After half-time, more precisely, near the hour-mark, the match went mad. In the 59th minute, Pacheco got on on a number of rebounds in the box to fire it home into the back of the net. Villarreal were ahead on the scoreboard, but it did not last long. Only two minutes later, Young Boys drew level thanks to a De Donno strike that Filip Jorgensen nearly saved. There was no respite for either side and soon after kick-off, Torrents, who had just come on for Jiménez, made it 3-2 in the 62nd minute.
When it looked like it would end like that, Young Boys were given a penalti which Ameba scored to make it 3-3.
Martí’s side stay top of their group and their next UEFA Youth League game will be against Manchester United on 23rd November at 3pm CET at the Mini Estadi.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Marcos Sánchez (Pablo Navarro, m. 77), Espigares, Marlone Foubert, Bonachera; Pacheco (Ángel Mateo, m. 77), Joan Ruiz (Rodrigo Alonso, m. 60), Gelardo, Geralnik; Álex Jiménez (Joan Torrents, m. 60), Jorge Pascual.
BSC Young Boys: Bajrami; Naf (Henchoz, m. 68), Amenda, Crnovrsanin, Fontana; Jungo (Kevin, m. 77), Essay (Aris, m. 77), Fosso, De Donno; Berisha, Appiah (Sebastian, m. 87).
Goals: 1-0. Min 13: A. Jiménez. 1-1. Min 23: Appiah. 2-1. Min 59: Pacheco. 2-2. Min 61: De Donno. 3-2. Min 62: Joan Torrents. 3-3. Min 84: Ameba.
Referee: Andrei Florin Chivulete (Romania). Booked: Foubert, Jorge Pascual (Villarreal); Fosso, Essay, De Donno (Young Boys).
Stadium: Mini Estadi.
