Villarreal get a point from their visit to the Coliseum despite having better chances than their opponents
Like a game of chess, Villarreal and Getafe played out a 0-0 draw at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. The Submarine dominated and had the best chances of the game, while the side from Madrid were well positioned at the back and found a way to keep a clean sheet, mainly thanks to the performance of their goalkeeper David Soria. The match was not without controversy, as the referee gave a penalty in favour of the Yellows in the 96th minute for a handball by Arambarri, but the decision was overturned by VAR.
Unai Emery made a total of eight changes from the team that beat Hajduk Split 0-2 last Thursday in the the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Play-Off Round. Only Alfonso Pedraza, Dani Parejo and Gio Lo Celso stayed in the starting lineup.
The pace was slow in the first half. Villarreal monopolised possession, moving the ball patiently in search of a chink in Getafe’s tidy defence. The home side were waiting in their own half, not pressing the Yellows’, with the aim of intercepting the Submarine’s passes inside in order to get forward quickly on the counter-attack.
Villarreal controlled possession, although the chances didn’t come until after the first hour of play. Both were for the Yellows. Firstly, Pedraza’s left-footed shot from the edge of the area forced Soria into a difficult save. Ten minutes later it was Gerard’s turn. The Yellows No.7 hit another powerful shot after a great team move and again came up against a magnificent save from the Getafe goalkeeper.
In the second half, the tone of the match did not change. Emery made three changes in the 57th minute. Kiko Femenía, Samu Chukwueze and Nico Jackson replaced Juan Foyth (who picked up an injury), Yeremy Pino and José Luis Morales. The Submarine intensified their dominance and managed to pin Getafe back in their area.
It was precisely two of the substitutes who created Villarreal’s best chance of the second half. Chukwueze crossed from the right flank and Álex Baena headed into the gloves of David Soria.
The Nigerian winger could also have scored. It was the 86th minute when a low cross from Pedraza was met in the heart of the box by Chukwueze. Once again Soria made a save.
In the 96th minute, the controversial moment of the match happened. Gerard shot and the ball hit Arambarri. Referee Figueroa Vázquez gave a penalty for handball, but overturned his decision after a VAR consultation.
Next up for Villarreal is a home match against Elche at the Ciutat de València (Sunday, 5:30pm CEST).
Lineups:
Getafe CF: David Soria; Iglesias, Djené, Domingos Duarte, Gastón; Aleñá, Arambarri, Seoane (Maksimovic, m. 72), Portu; Borja Mayoral (Latasa, m. 91), Enes Ünal (Mata, m. 89).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Foyth (Kiko Femenía, m. 57), Albiol, Pau, Pedraza; Yeremy (Chukwueze, m. 57), Capoue, Parejo (Coquelin, m. 68), Lo Celso (Baena, m. 68); Gerard, Morales (Jackson, m. 57).
Referee: Figueroa Vázquez. Booked: Djené (Getafe CF); Parejo, Albiol, Coquelin & Pedraza (Villarreal CF).
Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
