Villarreal B lose to Real Sporting despite Pacheco’s goal to close the gap
Villarreal B were beaten 3-1 at El Molinón by Real Sporting in a game full of injuries. The home side took the lead with two goals in the first half hour, Pacheco headed the ball into the net in the second half, however, the Asturian side then scored on the counter-attack to seal the win.
The Mini Submarine arrived in Asturias with numerous injuries: the injured Iker Goujón, Álex Forés, Pablo Iñiguez, Sergio Lozano and Arana, as well as Jorgensen and Dela, who played yesterday with the first team in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Sporting looked strong playing in front of their home crowd and began by gaining possession in the early stages of the game. However, it was on the counter-attack that they took the lead with a fine strike from Aitor that Iker Álvarez could do nothing about.
After the first fifteen minutes of the game, the Groguets began to be more convincing in defence, to slow the game down when playing the ball from the back and to calm the game down in order to be able to face an opponent of the calibre of Real Sporting. The first chance the Yellows had was a shot by Hugo from the edge of the box, taking advantage of the second ball, which went wide. Despite the improvement, Real Sporting came back to bite in lethal fashion and, before the half hour mark, Zarfino scored the second.
The best chance of the first half came in the closing stages when Tasende hit the post with a powerful shot. However, the players went to the tunnel with the score at 2-0. At half-time, Miguel Álvarez brought on Carlo Adriano, Carlos Romero and Pacheco, changing the style of play and adding an extra man to the attack.
Pacheco himself, with a header after just 10 minutes on the pitch, was in charge of closing the gap on the scoreboard and gave hope to a Mini Submarine who wanted to keep fighting. In fact, Miguel Álvarez’s men had several close calls in the minutes that followed, the only thing missing was the final touch to put the ball into the net, as well as a header from Abraham from a corner.
When Villarreal B were at their best, Sporting’s third goal came from a counter-attack. Jony broke down the centre of the pitch between the defence and beat Iker in a one-on-one situation. Thus, the match ended with a defeat for The Yellows, despite the fact that the boys fought until the end.
The next match of the B team will take place on Wednesday 12th October at 2pm CEST at the Mini Estadi against Ponferradina.
Line-ups:
Real Sporting: D. Mariño; Pol V. (m. 78, Bamba), Insua, Izquierdoz, Diego S. (m. 59, Jony); Juan, Rivera, Zarfino, Aitor G.J. (m. 36, Queipo); Cristo (m. 59, Cote), Djuka (m. 78, Nacho).
Villarreal B: Iker Álvarez; M.A. Leal (m. 78, S. Carreira), Hugo (m. 46, Pacheco), Mbacke, Abraham, Tasende (m. 46, C. Romero); Del Moral, Rodrigo (m. 46, Carlo); D. Collado (m. 78, Ojeda), F. Niño, Haissem.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 7: Aitor G.J.. 2-0. Min. 24: Zarfino. 2-1. Min. 54: Pacheco. 3-1. Min. 73: Jony.
Referee: Arcediano Monescillo. Booked: Pol V. (Real Sporting).
Matchday inforamtoin: Match between Real Sporting and Villarreal B, corresponding to Matchday 9 of LaLiga SmartBank, held at El Molinón – Enrique Castro ‘Quini’ in front of 17,124 spectators.
