The Submarine fell at the Nuevo Mirandilla thanks to a last-minute goal, despite deserving more
Villarreal suffered harsh punishment with a loss to Cádiz (1-0) in the last minute. Rubén Sobrino’s goal stopped the Yellows from taking a point away from the Nuevo Mirandilla in a tough match, which saw many rotations after the Titanic effort in Turin to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The Yellow Submarine, today in red, lined up with a number of changes, with only Pau Torres, Dani Parejo and Giovani Lo Celso continuing in the starting XI after the UEFA Champions League match against Juventus. Unai Emery’s man tried to take control from the first minute, attempting to get towards the opposition goal through possession. The first chance of the match, however, went to Cádiz, but Sergio Asenjo made a great save to deny Iván Alejo’s header in the box. The goalkeeper looked solid throughout the game.
For Villarreal, a Lo Celso through ball gave Boulaye Dia a great chance. The Senegalese striker touched the ball with his boot, as he tried to beat Ledesma, but the oncoming goalkeeper successfully stopped Dia from getting a shot away. In the first half, the away side tried time and time again, but were repelled by the Cádiz defence.
At half-time, the Basque head coach made a triple change. Francis Coquelin, Étienne Capoue and Arnaut Danjuma replaced Parejo, Vicente Iborra and Moi Gómez. It was Coquelin and Danjuma who combined to make the first dangerous chance after the break. The Dutch forward’s effort lacked power as it reached Ledesma, but it showed the danger the away side could have. Emery then brought on Gerard, the man who changed the game in Turin, as well as Yeremy, to freshen up the attack.
However, it was Cádiz who were able to break the deadlock with an attack in the 90th minute. Rubén Sobrino got on the end of a low cross to beat Asenjo at full stretch, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. With no time to react, Villarreal lost to Cádiz despite their best efforts.
Lineups:
Cádiz CF: Ledesma; Akapo, Luis Hernández, Chust, A. Espino; I. Alejo (m. 67, José Mari), Fede S. (m. 67, Sobrino), R. Alcaraz, Idrissi (m. 94, Fali); Lozano (m. 62, Lucas Pérez), Á. Negredo.
Villarreal CF: S. Asenjo; Mario, Mandi, Pau, A. Pedraza; Moi Gómez (m. 46, Danjuma), Parejo (m. 46, Coquelin), Iborra (m. 46, Capoue), Chukwueze (m. 71, Yeremy); Lo Celso, Dia (m. 62, Gerard).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 91: Sobrino.
Árbitro: Hernández Hernández. Booked: Lozano, Idrissi, Fede S. (Cádiz CF); Pau, Capoue (Villarreal CF).
Matchday information: Match between Cádiz CF and Villarreal CF, corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 29, at the Nuevo Mirandilla.
