Villarreal faced Genoa (1-3) and Real Oviedo (0-0) in a triangular tournament commemorating the centenary of the club from Asturias
On Thursday 31st July, Villarreal took part in a very special triangular tournament held at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere (Oviedo) to mark the centenary of the club from Asturias. In their fourth pre-season test, the Yellows first faced Genoa (1-3) and later Real Oviedo (0-0) in a football celebration that was about much more than the sporting competition. As well as commemorating the club’s centenary, there was also a tribute to Carlos Tartiere, marking the 75th anniversary of his death, and to Santi Cazorla, an icon and legend for both Real Oviedo and Villarreal CF.
Derrota ante el Genoa (1-3)
Villarreal lined up with a strong starting XI to face Genoa. The most notable inclusion was Tajon Buchanan who, just two days after becoming the newest member of the Yellows’ squad, made his first start in the opening game of the two that Marcelino’s side would play at the Carlos Tartiere.
The match began after a joint photo of all three teams taking part in this special event on the last evening of July in the Asturian capital: Villarreal, Genoa and hosts Real Oviedo.
The start was not ideal for Villarreal. In the seventh minute, a very unfortunate incident put the Italians ahead: a clearance from Parejo on the edge of the box rebounded off Norton-Cuffy’s body and ended up in the back of Diego Conde’s net.
However, just seven minutes later Villarreal drew level through Willy Kambwala, who volleyed home a corner from Dani Parejo to score his first goal in yellow.
With the match level, it was Genoa who took the initiative in search of the lead. In the 26th minute, the referee awarded the Italians a highly questionable penalty. Vitinha converted from the rebound after Diego Conde had initially saved his spot-kick.
The visitors kept pushing forward and added a third through Gronbaek four minutes from time.
Line-ups:
Villarreal CF: Diego Conde, A. Alti, Rafa Marín, Kambwala (Valou, 41’), A. Pedraza; Yeremy, Parejo, Santi C.V., Buchanan (Barry, 33’); Gerard, Danjuma.
Genoa: N. Leali; Norton-Cuffy, Marcandalli, Otoa, A. Martín; Frendrup, Masini; Gronbaek, Stanciu, Junior; Vitinha.
Goals: 0-1, 7’: Norton-Cuffy; 1-1, 15’: Kambwala; 1-2, 26’: Vitinha; 1-3, 41’: Gronbaek.
Goalless draw with Cazorla as the main attraction
Real Oviedo and Villarreal shared the spoils in the final match of this special triangular tournament in the Asturian capital. Marcelino’s side took to the pitch with a completely different starting XI to the one that faced Genoa earlier. The only player to feature in both games was Valou, who had come on late in the first match in place of Willy Kambwala.
Villarreal were the better side during the opening 20 minutes. The clearest chance fell to Etta Eyong, whose close-range header from a fine Denis Suárez cross was saved by the home goalkeeper. The Yellows continued to press in search of a goal against the home defence.
The match ended goalless. The highlight was undoubtedly Santi Cazorla’s minutes on the pitch against his former team, with the Carlos Tartiere giving a standing ovation to the Asturian magician.
Line-ups:
Real Oviedo: Moldovan; Nacho Vidal, David Costas, Dani Calvo, R. Alhassane; Sibo, Reina, Ilic; Hassan, Chaira, Fede Viñas.
Villarreal CF: Júnior R.; Pau Navarro, Foyth, Valou, S. Cardona; Moleiro, Gueye, Denis Suárez, Pau Cabanes; Pepe, Etta Eyong.
