Villarreal pick up a very important win against Celta thanks to a Soldado goal
Villarreal come away with a hugely important win from their clash against Celta de Vigo at the Balaídos stadium, thanks to a goal by Roberto Soldado just before the break. The Yellows worked hard, were solid in defence and held on to their advantage to take the three points, which sees them move up to fifth place in the LaLiga Santander table.
Fran Escribá’s side pick up their third consecutive victory after previous wins against Osasuna (1-4) and Espanyol (2-0), and now have 48 points, four above seventh place.
It was an even first half. With possession split, it was the locals who had the first sniff at goal, Rossi almost putting Celta ahead in the 12th minute.
As the game went on, the Yellows attacked more and gained more control of the ball in the middle of the park. On the half an hour mark, the Submarine came close to breaking the deadlock as Soriano put a great ball across goal, but Soldado could not quite get on the end of it.
One minute later Soriano himself had a chance, up against Sergio in the box after receiving a great pass from Trigueros, but the home goalkeeper read the Italian’s intentions and saved.
The opening goal came just before the break. The goal came from a set play, Musacchio flicked the ball on with his head from the edge of the six yard box and Soldado guided the ball into the net from close range.
In the second half, the sky blues took the intiative, controlled the play well and knocked the ball around quickly, but the Submarine covered all gaps to stop the locals breaking through. Berizzo changed things up, putting on Beauvue and Iago Aspas.
The Galician side tried to get back into the game, but Escribá’s side defended to perfection, ending up with their third consecutive win after victories against Osasuna (1-4) and Espanyol (2-0).
Lineups:
RC Celta de Vigo: Sergio; Hugo Mallo, Roncaglia, Sergi Gómez (Wass, m. 81), Planas; Marcelo Díaz, Radoja (Aspas, m. 68), Jozabed, Hjulsager (Beauvue, m. 58), Bongonda and; Rossi.
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández; Mario, Musachio, Víctor Ruíz, Jaume Costa; Dos Santos, Trigueros, Bruno, Soriano (Rodrigo, m. 88); Soldado (Sansone, m. 70) and Bakambu (Samu Castillejo, m. 81).
Goal: 0-1. Min. 44: Soldado.
Referee: Mario Melero López (Andalusia, Spain). Cautioned: Hugo Mallo (m. 13), Carles Planas (m. 89), Iago Aspas (m. 89) and Bongonda (m. 89) for Celta and Soldado (m. 7), Andrés Fernández (m. 71), Jaume Costa (m. 72), Jonathan dos Santos (m. 85) and Musacchio (m. 86) for Villarreal.
