The Submarine beat Qarabag with a goal from Yeremi and a Paco Alcácer brace late on
Villarreal CF came away with a victory against Qarabag in Istanbul (3-1). The Yellows needed a little more than a quarter of an hour to turn the game around, which looked set to end in a goalless draw until the Azerbaijaini side went ahead through Owusu. The Submarine reacted well, inspired by Yeremi Pino’s goal and a Paco Alcácer double, and changed the outcome of the tie, getting Unai Emery’s side’s second UEFA Europa League win this season.
To face Qarabag, Emery continued to make rotations in Europe, and lined up with a similar starting XI to the one that faced Sivasspor on Matchday 1. Players such as Gerónimo Rulli, Rubén Peña, Juan Foyth, Jaume Costa, Samu Chukwueze and Carlos Bacca started once more.
From the opening moments, both Qarabag and Villarreal were playing at a high tempo, with vertical attacks. The Azerbaijani side showed that despite being largely unknown in Spain, they are an impressive team in attack. Despite the home side looking impressive, the first chance of the game fell to the Submarine. In the 15th minute, Bacca headed against the post after a connecting with a great ball in from a Manu Trigueros corner.
The Yellows No.14 was one of the standout players at the Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium. In the 31st minute, he was close to opening the scoring with a magnificent free-kick which forced Magomedaliyev into a great save.
As the minutes went on, the Submarine started to take control of the ball, pushing their opponent back, but the Yellows were unable to have more clear chances in the first half.
The second half saw Villarreal step up their dominance. Straight after the break, the Qarabag keeper took centre stage once more, stopping a Chukwueze effort. The Nigerian got his shot off after a Bacca assist, which followed a great team move.
From the 60th minute, the game became a Villarreal monologue, with the Yellows not wanting the draw. There were a number of chances for the away side: Chukwueze almost scored with a shot in the heart of the area (62′), while Jaume Costa sent the ball into the side netting after a Take Kubo through ball (69′).
With the score still at 0-0, Emery looked to the bench, bringing on Moi Gómez, Yeremi and Alcácer.
After the triple change, the game came to life in a few crazy moments. In just two minutes, Uros Matic warned Villarreal with a dangerous shot from the edge of the box which just went wide, before Owusu but Qarabag ahead.
The home team were not happy for long, as the Submarine drew level in the next piece of play through Yeremi. The academy youngster, who had just come on, scored a fantastic individual goal, cutting in from the left, and firing past Magomedaliyev into the top corner at the near post.
The Submarine continued pushing. In the 84th minute, a nice piece of play between Yeremi and Chukwueze saw the ball sent towards Paco Alcácer in the area, with the striker firing home.
The Valencian striker ended the match in added time, scoring a penalty after a foul on Álex Baena. The Yellows No.17 now has four goals in this UEFA Europa League.
Lineups:
FK Qarabag: Magomedaliyev; Hüseynov, Mamadov, Medina, Guerrier; Andrade (Ibrahimli, m. 90), Garayev, Ozobic (Emreli, m. 60); Romero (Matic, m. 60), Owusu (Bayramov, m. 90), Zoubir (Jafarguliyev, m. 81).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Peña, Foyth (Funes Mori, m. 90), Pau Torres, Pedraza; J. Costa (Yeremi, m. 73), Iborra, Trigueros, Take (Moi Gómez, m. 73), Bacca (Paco Alcácer, m. 73), Chukwueze (Alex B., m. 85)
Goals: 1-0. Min 78: Owusu. 1-1. Min 79: Yeremi. 1-2. Min. 84: Paco Alcácer. 1-3. Min. 94: Paco Alcácer.
Referee: Pavel Orel (Czech Republic). Booked: Romero, Ozobic, Andrade, Hüseynov (Qarabag), Iborra (Villarreal)
Matchday information: Match played at the Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium in Istanbul, corresponding to Matchday 2 of the 2020/21 Europa League group stage.
