Villarreal earn three vital points against RC Celta thanks to Dani Parejo’s goal
Villarreal picked up three valuable points in a competitive match against RC Celta (1-0). The goal from Dani Parejo broke the deadlock and gave victory to Unai Emery’s side, who consolidate their position in the European battle and will travel to Turin with morale on a high to face Juventus in an exciting UEFA Champions League clash.
After the defeat in Pamplona, Villarreal returned to their home ground, the Estadio de la Cerámica, to meet their fans again and face RC Celta in a match with three important points at stake. Unai Emery made four changes from the match against CA Osasuna. Alfonso Pedraza, Vicente Iborra, Manu Trigueros and Samu Chukwueze came in for the injured Alberto Moreno and Étienne Capoue; and teammates Pervis Estupiñán and Yeremy Pino.
There was plenty of talent on show in both teams. Both Villarreal and Celta had plenty of quality players in midfield. The presence of players such as Dani Parejo, Manu Trigueros and Lo Celso for the Submarine, and Denis Suárez, Brais Méndez and Nolito for the away side, made for a lively start to the game, with great combinations and a lot of fluidity in the play. The match promised to be a hard-fought affair.
Despite the promising start, dangerous goal-scoring chances were absent during the first half. Neither the Yellows nor the Sky Blues managed to find the net in the final third of the pitch.
In the second half, the game opened up a little more. Before reaching the hour mark, Brais Méndez missed a one-on-one against Rulli in a quick Celta action following a mistake by the home side. Villarreal hit back just a few minutes later with another dangerous effort from Danjuma, who shot just wide from Alfonso Pedraza’s excellent cross from the left. The Dutchman’s shot went narrowly wide.
From the 60th minute onwards, the ‘groguets’ pushed hard for the win. In the first instance, Alfonso Pedraza missed a good opportunity to put the Submarine ahead on the scoreline. The Cordoba defender connected with a good cross from Serge Aurier in the heart of the box, but his shot was not on target either.
Just five minutes later, Villarreal would find the goal of the match in the boots of Dani Parejo. The midfielder from Madrid, with a powerful left-footed shot, sent a fabulous back-heel pass from Manu Trigueros into the net. The yellows gave the fans an impressive display of talent.
After a heart-stopping final few minutes, the Submarine managed to hold on to the lead on several occasions thanks to the decisive performances of Mandi and Rulli. The Yellows took all three points with great skill before looking forward to the historic UEFA Champions League clash against Juventus FC on Wednesday, 9pm (CET). The fans bid farewell to the team with shouts of ‘Sí se puede’ (Yes we can). Let’s dream together, yellows.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Serge Aurier, R. Albiol (Mandi, 46′), Pau, A. Pedraza (Estupiñán, 87′); Capoue, Parejo, M. Trigueros (Coquelin, 74′), Lo Celso (Moi Gómez, 80′); Danjuma (Dia, 80′) and Chukwueze.
RC Celta: Dituro; Kevin V. (Orbelín, 88′), Aidoo, Nestor, Javi Galán; Brais Méndez, Fran Beltrán, Denis Suárez (Tapia, 88′), Nolito (Santi Mina, 64′), Iago Aspas and Thiago Galhardo (Solari, 64′).
Goals: 1-0. 65′: Parejo
Referee: Jaime Latre. Booked: Iborra (Villarreal); Javi Galán (RC Celta).
Match information: Match between Villarreal CF and RC Celta, corresponding to matchday 28 of LaLiga Santander, held at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 14,929 spectators.
