Villarreal lose against Real Valladolid after a missed penalty and countless chances on goal (0-1)
Villarreal lost to Real Valladolid at the Estadio de la Cerámica (0-1). The Yellows threw everything at their opponents, especially in the second half, but came away with a defeat due Leo Suárez’s only goal of the game for the visitors. The Yellow Submarine had numerous goal scoring chances and even missed a penalty.
Javi Calleja stuck with the same side he has been choosing in recent matches. There was only one change in the lineup that started against Athletic Club, Santi Cazorla coming in for Miguel Layún.
The first half was even, but the Yellow Submarine just edged their opponents. In fact, both teams had clear chances on goal to open the scoring. Gerard Moreno tested Jordi Masip and Duje Čop did the same at the other end against Asenjo. Both goalkeepers stood strong though to keep the scoreline 0-0.
The best opportunities came in the first half an hour. First of all, Čop wasn’t able to find the target from point-blank range, while seven minutes later, Gerard hit the post after a great pass from Manu Trigueros found him in the box. The volley from the Yellows’ No.7 crashed violently off the woodwork. The Villarreal striker went close to scoring again in the 44th minute, with another shot with his left foot, this time drawing a great save from Masip.
The second half was still young at the time of the goal to make it 0-1 to Real Valladolid. Suárez volleyed the ball low across Sergio Asenjo and into the bottom corner. From there, the Yellows siege was never-ending. Villarreal searched for the equaliser with all they could, throwing all they had at the away side.
The Yellow Submarine had a number of chances. They fell to Gerard, Trigueros, Carlos Bacca… The home side even had a penalty. Iglesias Villanueva had to check with VAR before finally pointing to the spot after a handball from Kiko Olivas. Five minutes after the incident, Masip guessed correctly to deny Gerard from the resulting spot-kick.
Villarreal’s next match will be this Thursday in the UEFA Europa League against Spartak Moscow (9pm CEST).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar (M. Layún, m. 46), Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa (Pedraza, m. 76); Cazorla (Toko Ekambi, m. 65), Trigueros, Funes Mori, Fornals; Bacca, Gerard.
Real Valladolid CF: Masip; Moyano, Kiko Olivas, Calero, Nacho; Antoñito, Míchel (Borja, m. 93), Alcaraz, Toni (Ivi, m. 83); Leo Suárez (Anuar, m. 69), Čop.
Goal: 0-1. Min. 52: Leo Suárez.
Referee: Iglesias Villanueva. Booked: Mario Gaspar, Bacca, Cazorla (Villarreal CF); Čop, Kiko Olivas, Nacho (Real Valladolid CF).
Match information: Matchday 7 of LaLiga at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of an attendance of 15,602.
