Villarreal beat Leganés with goals by Víctor Ruiz and Bacca to establish themselves in the European spots
The Yellows had to fight until the end. Villarreal beat CD Leganés at the Estadio de la Cerámica in a match that they left a great impression in, by going 2-0 up thanks to goals by Víctor Ruiz and Carlos, but suffered right until the end of the match after a late goal by Darko Brasanac. It was worth the suffering.
The Submarine took the intiative from the 1st minute. Javi Calleja played with the same lineup that started well against Sevilla at the Sánchez´Pizjuán, the only change was that Álvaro came back into the squad to replace the suspended Jaume Costa. Thus, Serbian full back Rukavina took the place of left back and Mario returned to right back.
Villarreal dominated against a Leganés side that were awaiting their chances. The side from Madrid gave the Yellows a scare in the 13th minute, when Mauro Dos Santos headed the ball past Asenjo and into the net from a wide free kick. The goal did not count though as it was a clear offside. Strategically executed by the Villarreal defence.
The Yellows kept looking for a gap in a very organised Leganés defence. And Víctor Ruiz found it. The Yellow number 6 opened the scoring from a Castillejo corner that was flicked on by Mario and then netted by the centre back himself. The Estadio de la Cerámica went wild.
The Yellows then took this positive momentum into the second half. Calleja’s side were comfortable on the pitch, making the right decisions in every moment. This meant the team and the fans could relax a bit more. Even more so when Villarreal clinched their second. Raba won the ball back and Bacca let rip a fine strike from the top of the box and into the top corner of Cuéllar’s goal. Spectacular.
Leganés got themselves back into the game in the 81st minute. Brasanac was the first to get to a loose ball in the box and made no mistake by slotting a first time shot into the bottom corner of Asenjo’s net. Tense right until the end. Despite Leganés’ attempts, the scoreline stayed the same. A vital victory.
Villarreal CF’s next match is against RC Celta de Vigo on Saturday 28th April at the Estadio de la Cerámica (8:45pm CEST).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Rukavina; Rodrigo, Trigueros; Samu Castillejo, Raba (Roger Martínez, m. 79), Cheryshev (Sansone, m. 66); Bacca (Javi Fuego, m. 87).
CD Leganés: Cuéllar; Tito, Mauro Dos Santos, Ezequiel, Raúl; Gumbau, Rubén Pérez (Guerrero, m. 53); Brasanac, Gabriel Pires (Eraso, m. 61), José Naranjo (Arribas, m. 66); Beauvue.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 41: Víctor Ruiz. 2-0. Min. 55: Bacca. 2-1. Min. 81: Brasanac.
Referee: Trujillo Suárez. Cautioned: Trigueros for Villarreal and Gabriel for Leganés.
Match Information: Match corresponding to Matchday 33 in LaLiga played at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 12,556 spectators.
