Villarreal draw with Granada after hitting the woodwork twice in their league opener
A question of centimetres. Villarreal drew in their league opener to Granada (1-1) in a match where they deserved to take home the three points, but the ball came off the woodwork of Ochoa’s goal twice.
The Yellows, well organized in defence, started by creating chances on goal in the first quarter of an hour of play. Pato got away from his defender but his shot at goal was too weak and Ochoa saved it with his leg (m. 14).
With Víctor Ruiz, Rukavina and Sansone as new starters in the team with respect to the Monaco match, Fran Escribá’s side were solid and did not concede even one chance on goal in the entire first half.
The Submarine almost opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Pato fought tirelessly for a ball in the box and it fell to the feet of Soriano, whose left footed strike did not find the back of the net after a miracle like defensive block.
The game did not change its course in the second half. Villarreal were creating the most danger in front of goal and came close again in the 55th minute. Soriano received the ball on the edge of the box, prepared well but his left footed shot came off the woodwork.
The Yellows did not back down and had another chance in the 61st minute. Samu Castillejo hit a perfectly executed free kick from the top of the box that went in off the post. A great goal from the number 19. But the lead did not last long. Granada equalized just three minutes later through Ponce after a strategic play in the six yard box.
Villarreal picked themselves up and pushed for the 1-2. Sansone was the second to hit the woodwork after a great play by Castillejo down the right side and he crossed it for the number 18, whose header bounced back off the crossbar (m. 68). Really bad luck.
From there until the final whistle both teams went in search of the victory, but in the end they had to share the points. The Submarine are now focused on their next challenge, next Tuesday at the Louis II stadium against Monaco (8:45pm CET).
Line-ups:
Granada CF: Ochoa; Tito, Agbo, Lombán, Foulquier; Khrin, Javi Márquez (Barral, m. 66), Boga, Toral (Martins, m. 72), Cuenca; Ponce.
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Víctor Ruiz, Rukavina; Castillejo, N’Diaye, Trigueros, Soriano; Pato (Mario González, m. 90) and Sansone (Santos Borré, m. 77).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 61: Castillejo. 1-1. Min. 64: Ponce.
Referee: Estrada Fernández (C. Catalán). Cautioned: Lombán and Barral for the locals; Sansone, N’Diaye and Trigueros for the visitors.
Stadium: Nuevo Los Cármenes.
