Miguel Álvarez’s side fall just short in a game decided by a set piece
It wasn’t to be. Villarreal B lost by the smallest of margins to La Nucía at the Mini Estadi (0-1) thanks to a goal from the visitors from a corner. It was the first home defeat of the season for the B team, who pushed until the very end.
Head coach Miguel Álvarez lined up with an XI with various changes from the last league tie, giving Arana and Narro chances up front.
The first half of the game was even, and both teams took turns in having the ball. The clearest chances fell to the Yellows, when Álex Millán’s nice piece of play out wide set up Agüero, whose shot from the penalty spot went just over.
In the second half, Haissem Hassan came on to try and add more danger up front, but it was the away side who took the lead in the 59th minute. Álex Salto got on the end of a good corner to put them ahead.
Álvarez tried to freshen things up after the goal, bringing on Ahn, Carlo and Pacheco in a triple change to try and get the equaliser. The Yellows’ best chance came in the 75th minute, when Ahn’s low shot from the edge of the box hit the post.
La Nucía had a man sent off in added time when Titi was shown a red card for a heavy challenge.
The Mini Submarine were, however, unable to get the equaliser, and the game ended in an away win.
Lineup:
Villarreal B: Filip; D. Tasende, Copete, Vadik, M. Villa, Ros (Pacheco, m. 67), Lozano, Agüero (Carlo, m. 67), Narro (Ahn, m. 67), Arana (Haissem, m. 45), Millán.
La Nucía: Fornés, Óscar, José Mas (Álvaro, m.49), Pina, Miñano (Bora Barry, m. 80), Morgado (Titi, m. 80), Toner, Tavares, Agüero (Soto, m. 67), Cabezas, Álex Salto.
Goal: 0-1. Min 59: Álex Salto
Referee: Alejandro Sánchez. Booked: D. Tasende, Copete, M. Villa, Ros (Villarrael B) Toner, Miñano (La Nucía). Sent off: Titi (La Nucía).
Matchday information: Game between Villarreal B and La Nucía corresponding to Matchday 12 of Segunda División Group B at the Mini Estadi.
