Villarreal draw against Juve with the tie to be decided in Turin
What a great game the fans experienced at the Estadio de la Cerámica! Villarreal, at times, overwhelmed Juventus and, at others, they were able to suffer as Alberto Moreno and Unai Emery had predicted in the build-up to the game. The Submarine fought hard throughout the 90 minutes and matched their opponents, despite the setback of the first goal, scored by Vlahovic after just 30 seconds. Parejo scored the Yellows’ goal in the second half and Villarreal had chances to snatch the win.
Villarreal’s players took to the field in a dream-like atmosphere inside La Cerámica after the welcome given to the Yellows’ bus, but with just 30 seconds gone, Vlahovic took advantage of a long pass and managed to beat Rulli with a great shot across goal to find the bottom corner, impossible for the Argentinian to save. Villarreal were to go into the 90 minutes at a disadvantage on the scoreline.
However, the Submarine continued to dig deep and, after a few nervy minutes, they got back into the game. Lo Celso was presented with a golden opportunity after receiving a pass from Pedraza, who managed to win the ball back and get into the box to set up the Argentinian attacker. A few minutes later, Danjuma, assisted by Chukwueze, could have scored the goal of the evening with a back-heel that Szczesny had trouble keeping out. The crowd was pushing and the team believed in the comeback.
Foyth and Capoue were getting shots off from the edge of the box, but the goal was not coming for the Groguets, who were creating more danger in the first half. Villarreal went into half-time having deserved to find the equaliser, but without managing to get the ball past the Polish goalkeeper.
At the start of the second half, Gio Lo Celso’s recovery and subsequent drive in the final third led to a good chance. The new signing gave the ball to the left flank, Alberto Moreno let it go through his legs to Pedraza, who set up the Andalusian, who finished the move off with a shot in which he could not get good contact. In the next move, Parejo tried his luck from outside the box.
Just past the hour mark, the goal arrived and La Cerámica exploded in ecstasy. In a seemingly static move in which no space was to be found, Parejo made a run forward to slip through the Bianconeri defence to receive a lofted pass from Capoue. The player from Coslada was able to finish with his left foot to level the score.
Unai Emery brought on Pervis Estupiñán and Manu Trigueros with the aim of using some fresh legs on the left flank, through which numerous chances were created, and to find different solutions in static attacks. The Submarine again felt superior in the last half hour and Juventus stopped having chances, with the exception of a shot on the turn from Vlahovic that was saved by Rulli.
So Villarreal, with spirit and pride, earned a valuable draw, although they could have won, against a transatlantic side like Juve and will play for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in Turin on 16th March.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Foyth, R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza (Estupiñán, 78′); Chukwueze (Yeremy, 90′), Capoue, Parejo, Alberto M. (M. Trigueros, 78′); Lo Celso and Danjuma (Dia, 90′).
Juventus FC: Szczesny; De Sciglio (Pellegrini, 87′), De Ligt, Danilo, Alex Sandro (Bonucci, 46′); Cuadrado, Locatelli (Arthur, 71′), Rabiot, McKennie (Zakaria, 81′); Morata and Vlahovic.
Goals: 0-1. 1′: Vlahovic. 1-1. 66′: Parejo.
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany). Booked: Rulli (Villarreal); Rabiot (Juventus).
Match information: Match between Villarreal CF and Juventus FC in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, held at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 17,686 spectators.
