Unai Emery’s side get a point against Atlético Madrid in a great performance from the Yellows
Villarreal drew against Atlético de Madrid (2-2) in a match which the Yellows were winning until the very last moment. The Yellows went close to winning at the Wanda until an unfortunate piece of action that ended in an own goal for the home side’s equaliser in the 95th minute. Despite the bad luck, the Submarine put in a great performance and had the LaLiga champions against the ropes.
To face Atlético de Madrid, Unai Emery lined up with a starting XI with only two changes from the last league game against RCD Espanyol. Pervis Estupiñán and Yeremy Pino came in for Alfonso Pedraza and Moi Gómez.
The start of the tie was even, with both sides showing each other respect. However, as the game went on, Atlético de Madrid started to take control of the tie.
With nearly half an hour on the clock, Ángel Correa made a heavy challenge on Raúl Albiol: The Argentinean footballer’s studs went straight into the legs of the Valencian defender, who was left on the Wanda Metropolitano pitch writhing in agony. Despite the dangerous action, the referee only showed a yellow card to the attacker.
In the closing moments of the first half, the Yellow Submarine were not comfortable creating chances, and found it difficult to cause danger to the opposition goal. However, they were solid at the back, frustrating time after time the attacks of the home side. In the 45th minute, Aïssa Mandi made a fantastic block to stop a Kieran Trippier header going in from close range. Villarreal were alive going into the second half.
After returning from the dressing romos, the Yellows scored with their first chance of the whole game. Manu Trigueros got a great goal with a long-range effort that went into the top of the net. The midfielder capitalised on a great piece of play down the right from Yeremy, who got away from two defenders before laying it off to the Yellows No.14. The away side were ahead on the scoreboard.
Villarreal’s joy did not last long, conceding the equaliser just four minutes later. Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez fired past Gero Rulli, getting on the end of a Correa assist after a mistake in the Yellows’ defence.
After the leveller, Emery looked to the bench, making three changes. Arnaut Danjuma, Francis Coquelin and Alfonso Pedraza came on for Boulaye Dia, Alberto Moreno and Pervis Estupiñán. His changes had an effect. In the 74th minute, Villarreal once more silenced the Wanda Metropolitano with a Danjuma goal. The Dutch attacker put the Submarine ahead again with a powerful right-footed effort past Jan Oblak. The goal came from a fantastic Yeremy assist, with the winger really impressing in the Spanish capital.
As the game was coming to an end, Villarreal resisted Atlético de Madrid’s attack, with the home side pushing for the equaliser. The Yellows stayed strong and did the hard work. However, an unfortunate moment in defence ended in the leveller for Diego Simeone’s men, who rescued a point with time up.
Lineups:
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Trippier, JM Giménez (Lodi, m. 87), Savic, M. Hermoso (Kondogbia, m. 80), Carrasco (De Paul, m. 70); Koke, M. Llorente, Lemar (Cunha, m. 80); Correa, Luis Suárez (Saúl, m. 70).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Foyth, R. Albiol, Mandi, Estupiñán (Danjuma, m. 63); Yeremy (Mario Gaspar, m. 80), M. Trigueros, Capoue, Alberto M. (Pedraza, m. 63); Gerard, Dia (Coquelin, m. 63).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 52: M. Trigueros. 1-1. Min. 56: Luis Suárez. 1-2. Min. 74: Danjuma. 2-2. Min. 95: Mandi (OG).
Referee: Soto Grado. Booked: Correa, Lemar, Luis Suárez, De Paul (Atlético de Madrid); Gerard, Rulli (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between Atlético de Madrid and Villarreal CF, corresponding to LaLiga 2021/22 Matchday 3 at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
