Villarreal beat Celta away from home thanks to a late goal by Trigueros and the Yellows’ dominance throughout
A great way to get back to LaLiga play. Villarreal beat Celta Vigo thanks to Manu Trigueros’ 90th minute winner. The Yellow Submarine deserved it after dominating for the entire match and creating plenty of chances on goal. Three months later than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yellows took all the three points from Balaídos.
Javi Calleja (although the team was managed by Quique Alvaréz today due to the head coach’s suspension) set up with a 1-4-4-2 with Paco Alcácer and Gerard Moreno up front. In the middle of the park Iborra and Anguissa shielded Moi Gómez and Santi Cazorla who were out on the wings.
The Submarine hogged possession of the ball and the goalscoring opportunities in the first half. The Yellows were linking up brilliantly on the pitch. Cazorla had the first clear chance with his effort saved by Rubén Blanco, while just seconds later Iborra had a go from a Mario Gaspar cross. The sky blue’s goalkeeper pulled off another spectacular save to keep Villarreal at bay.
The path for Villarreal was clear and with determination they took advantage of it. Gerard played a through ball to Alcácer and Murillo blocked his shot at the last second (m. 20) and then it was a role reversal, this time it was Alcácer who played a lovely ball over the top to Gerard but he didn’t connect with his shot (m. 34). The Yellows were clearly dominating with nine corner kicks in their favour, but the goal was yet to come.
With five substitutions available for each team, the Villarreal coach made a double change in the 57th minute. Chukwueze and Bacca replaced Gerard Moreno and Cazorla, and it was the tricky Nigerian that created the next big chance. He received the ball out on the right wing, cutting inside to take him away from the Celta defenders and got his shot off, but it went straight at Rubén Blanco.
It was surprising that Villarreal weren’t winning the game. Even more so when, in the 87th minute, Carlos Bacca got away from the Celta defenders with great speed and somehow managed to shoot from inside the box but it trickled past the post. A magnificent effort by the Colombian, but it went without reward.
Then it came in the 90th minute. A reward for perseverance. Manu Trigueros jumped on the rebound after a fantastic play by Bacca and Chukwueze to send the ball into the back of the net. The Yellows midfielder’s shot looped into the goal after clipping the defender, but it went in and sent the Yellows fans at home wild. Get in there!
Villarreal’s next match is against RCD Mallorca at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Tuesday, 7:30pm CEST).
Lineups:
RC Celta: Rubén Blanco; Hugo Mallo (Denis Suárez, m. 83), Murillo, Araújo, Olaza; Pape Cheikh (Okay, m. 46), Bradaric, Rafinha (Sisto, m. 57); Santi Mina (Smolov, m. 80), Iago Aspas and Juan Hernández (Aidoo, m. 46).
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Albiol, Pau, Alberto Moreno; Moi Gómez (Morlanes, m. 80), Anguissa, Iborra (Trigueros, m. 66), Cazorla (Bacca, m. 57); Gerard (Chukwueze, m. 57) and Paco Alcácer (Ontiveros, m. 80).
Goal: 0-1. Min. 90: Trigueros.
Referee: Pizarro Gómez. Booked: Pape Cheikh for Celta; Iborra for Villarreal.
Information: Match corresponding to matchday 28 of LaLiga played at the Balaídos stadium. A minute of silence was held and the Villarreal players wore black armbands in memory of those that lost their lives in the COVID-19 pandemic.
