Marcelino’s team lost by the smallest of margins against Atlético in a frenetic and tremendously disputed duel
Villarreal lost at La Cerámica (1-2). The Yellows lost in a duel in which they deserved more, marked by equality and a frenetic pace of play. The Submarine went from a possible 2-1 lead to a harsh 1-2 defeat just a few minutes before the end. From a possible goal by Dani Parejo, which went narrowly wide, to Saúl’s goal, which gave Atlético the win.
Villarreal returned from the break after a fantastic run in the league in which they had gone nine games without defeat in the league. Impressive figures that gave the Yellows hope and made them dream of a league climb, the summit of which is the fight for the European places, which have been so far away during the first part of the season.
In order to get closer to this objective, the first hurdle was to overcome Atlético de Madrid, a tremendously complicated challenge as they are one of the strongest and most determined teams in the whole of the top flight.
The first few minutes were a demonstration of power from both sides, who fought for possession in what promised to be a back-and-forth affair.
In the sixth minute, Samuel Lino could have put the visitors ahead. A fantastic Filip Jorgensen prevented him from making it 0-1 with a superb save with his foot. Immediately afterwards, in the eighth minute, Witsel headed home a corner from the left With the Belgian’s header, Atlético took the lead at La Cerámica (0-1).
Being behind on the scoreboard did not daunt the Submarine, who looked for the equaliser in a match that maintained a frenetic pace.
Guedes tried his luck with a fantastic run, but he was denied by Witsel when the Portuguese was looking for a pass back inside the box. Atletico responded with a shot from Llorente that Filip saved again with another textbook save.
In the closing stages, constant inaccuracies in the opposition half prevented Marcelino’s side from creating more chances in a first half that lacked precision and composure in its build-up play.
At the start of the second half, Villarreal equalised through Sorloth. The Norwegian beat Oblak with a precise left-footed shot at the far post. The goal came from a Coquelin interception and was preceded by an assist from Gerard on the edge of the box.
The equaliser once again animated what was turning out to be a great game. The pace of the first half was not only maintained, but also increased during the first few minutes of the second half.
Halfway through the second half, Marcelino began the carousel of changes for the home side. First Baena and Comesaña came on. Then he brought on Morales. And finally Traoré and Pedraza, who returned to the pitch after overcoming an injury that had kept him away from the pitch for several months. Fresh legs to face a heart-stopping finale.
In the 74th minute, Mosquera had the chance to make it 2-1 with a shot from the edge of the area, but his shot lacked power and Oblak saved. Just two minutes later, Morata connected with a cross from the right with a shot that Filip blocked.
The Yellows again came close to a second with five minutes to go. After a great interception in the danger area, Álex Baena drove into the box, cut inside and back-heeled the ball back to Dani Parejo, who came from the second line to hit it. His shot flew wide of the goal.
In such an open game, Atletico responded emphatically by making it 1-2 in the immediate aftermath. In one of the few clear-cut chances they had in the second half, they struck the coup de grace. Filip was helpless to deal with Saúl’s low shot.
With cruelty and after a lot of effort from the Yellows, the game slipped away from Villarreal, who deserved to score in front of their fans in a frenetic duel with a lot of pace.
