Villarreal draw against Espanyol to go nine matches unbeaten in LaLiga and Europa League competitions
Reliability and good play to stay undefeated. Villarreal pick up a hard earned point on their visit to Espanyol in a match that the Submarine had some clear chances on goal, were in control of the game with their possession and were a ‘wall’ in defence. The Yellows have now gone nine matches without losing between LaLiga Santander (7) and UEFA Europa League (2) competitions. Remarkable.
Fran Escribá made eight changes to his starting line-up in comparison with the eleven that started in Europe against Steaua Bucuresti. One of those to play in both matches was Jonathan dos Santos, who played higher up tonight as a second striker behind Nicola Sansone. As at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Manager’s choice of line-up meant the Yellows had a plenty of possession of the ball.
The Submarine played the ball around in search of gaps in the Espanyol defence, who were waiting to go out of the back dangerously on the counter attack. The clash was a special one for many players, as five players were going up against their ex-club (Víctor Ruiz, Álvaro, Diego López, Gerard Moreno and Hernán Pérez). Leo Baptistao could not play due to injury and neither did Álvaro, who watched the game from the bench.
The first real chance of the game fell to the feet of Sansone. Jaume Costa put a great ball through to the Italian-German striker whose left footed strike hit the side netting (m. 14). Villarreal had possession of the ball which did not seem to matter to Espanyol. Asenjo did not suffer in the Yellows goal but Diego López had to sit back attentively.
Just before the break the Yellows had another good chance. This time it was Víctor Ruiz who played a fantastic long ball to Samu Castillejo whose shot was kept out by a great save from the Espanyol goalkeeper.
Then in the second half, the Catalonian side had a great chance of their own from a Hernán Pérez free kick stopped by Sergio Asenjo (m.53). Only four minutes later Jonathan dos Santos came close. The Mexican’s header from a Jaume Costa cross brushed the post. Despite both teams’ efforts neither could break the deadlock. A good point picked up at a very difficult place to play.
Line-ups:
RCD Espanyol: Diego López; Javi López, David López, Diego Reyes, Víctor Sánchez; Hernán Pérez, Marc Roca (Diop, m. 81), Javi Fuego, Reyes (Aarón, m. 68); Gerard Moreno and Caicedo.
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa; Bruno, Trigueros; Castillejo (Santos Borré, m. 89), Jonathan dos Santos, Soriano (Cheryshev, m. 69); and Sansone (Bakambu, m. 77).
Referee: Munuera Montero (Andalusia, Spain). Cautioned: Víctor Sánchez and Hernán Pérez for the locals; Musacchio and Mario for the visitors.
Stadium: RCDE Stadium.
