The Submarine beat Stade de Reims thanks to a Boulaye Dia goal
Villarreal got another pre-season win. This time against Stade de Reims, who lost to the Submarine thanks to a goal from Boulaye Dia, who used to play for the French team (0-1). Unai Emery’s team are unbeaten so far in pre-season, with a draw and three wins from their first four matches.
Emery made a number of changes once more, a situation that is common in pre-season. In the starting XI, Pepe Reina returned to be between the sticks for Villarreal 17 years later. Adrián de la Fuente, normally a centre-back for Villarreal B, played as a right-back.
Reina was the man who took centre stage, making two great saves. First with a long-range effort and then with a great save from a corner.
The Submarine went ahead in the 37th minute. Boulaye Dia moved the ball onto his right foot, and placed the ball just inside the post.
Stade de Reims looked dangerous at the start of the second half. Van Bergen, who had just come on, hit the woodwork (m.54).
There were a number of substitutions throughout the second half, breaking it up, but there were still chances. Gerard Moreno could have extended Villarreal’s lead, while Reina made a few saves to stop the French side from scoring.
Next up for Villarreal is the fifth pre-season match against Southampton in England (Saturday, 30th July).
Lineups:
Stade de Reims: Pentz; Koudou, Gravillon, Faes, Abdelhamid, Locko, Adeline, Agbadou, Lopy, Touré, Zeneli.
Also played: Van Bergen, Kebbal, Doumbia, Cajuste, Diakité, Flips, Koeberle.
Villarreal CF: Reina; Dela (Foyth, min. 77), Albiol (Mandi, m. 46), Cuenca (Pau, m. 77), Pedraza (Estupiñán, m. 46); Chukwueze (Baena, m. 56), Iborra (Parejo, m. 46 (Morlanes, m. 77)), Capoue (Coquelin, m. 68), Morales (Gerard, m. 68); Jackson (Yeremy, m. 56), Dia (Fer Niño, m. 46).
Goal: 0-1. Min. 37: Dia.
Referee: Willy Delajod (France). Booked: Kebbal (Stade de Reims).
Stadium: Stade Auguste Delaune.
