Villarreal dominated the first half of the game at the Mini Estadi, and sealed the win against Atalanta BC in added time
Villarreal beat Atalanta BC 2-0 on the first matchday of the UEFA Youth League 2021/22, which took place at the Mini Estadi at the Villarreal CF Training Ground. Pere Martí’s side went ahead in the seventh minute thanks to a Pacheco goal, and killed off the game in added time through Emiliano García, who returned to the pitch in a second half, where Filip Jorgensen was impressive between the sticks.
The Submarine took to the Mini Estadi pitch with initiative, warning the Italians with three minutes gone. Tiago Geralnik forced the Atalanta goalkeeper into a save at full stretch to keep out the opener. Three minutes later, Aitor Gelardo played the ball ahead of Pacheco, who finished magnificently to make it 1-0. Pere Martí’s side were much better on the pitch and had a number of great chances to score again, but the scoreboard stayed the same in the first half.
After the half-time break, the Italian team came out in search for the equaliser, but they came up against an impressive Jorgensen. The Danish goalkeeper made a number of changes to sabe Villarreal in the second half, where Garcia scored in added time to make it 2-0 and seal Villarreal’s first UEFA Youth League win.
Villarreal CF’s next UEFA Youth League game will be on Wednesday 29th September at 2pm CEST, where Martí’s side will face Manchester United in England.
Lineup:
- Villarreal CF: Filip Jorgensen; Marcos Sánchez (Mateo, 84’), Espigares, Foubert, Bonachera; Pacheco (Ortega, 69′), Alonso, Gelardo, Tiago Geralnik (Hinojosa, 78′); Jorge Pascual Joan Torrents (Emiliano García, 69′).
- Atalanta BC: Dajcar, Ceresoli (Fisic, 80′), Hecko (Chiwisa, 46′), Berto, Regonesi (Bernasconi, 57′); Zuccon, Sidibe, Giovane; Omar, Lozza (Stabile, 57′), Oliveri.
- Goals: 1-0. Min. 7: Pacheco. Min. 90’+1’: Emiliano.
- Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (Bulgaria). Booked: Espigares, Pacheco, Gelardo, Bonachera, Ortega, Emiliano García (Villarreal CF), Zuccon, Sidibe, Giovane, Stabile, Oliveri (Atalanta BC).
- Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Atalanta BC, corresponding to the UEFA Youth League Matchday 1 at the Mini Estasdi at the Villarreal CF Training Ground.
