The Submarine succumb to Osmanlispor on Matchday 4 in the Group stage of the UEFA Europa League
Villarreal fell to Osmanlispor (1-2) on Matchday 4 in the Group stage of the UEFA Europa League tonight. The Yellows lost their first match this season in the European competition after goals by two ex-LaLiga players, Webó and Rusescu, who cancelled out Rodri’s goal in the second half.
The Submarine have not lost at El Madrigal in the UEFA Europa League since the first leg in the Round of 16 against Sevilla, in the 2014/15 competition. More than a year later, the Yellows could not beat the Turkish side at home to give the fans another win to positive result to cheer about.
Fran Escribá made eight changes to the starting eleven with respect to the starting lineup against Eibar in Ipurua. The match did not start well at all for the Yellows. Pierre Webó, ex-Osasuna and Mallorca player, among other teams, scored at El Madrigal on his return to Spain. The experienced forward converted at the far post after a shot across goal by Prochazka. After just seven minutes in, the match took an uphill turn.
The Submarine picked themselves up and went in search of the equalizer in earnest. Cheryshev was the most active player in attack for the Yellows, who rejoined the team tonight after injury. The Yellows’ number 7 came close to opening their account on three occasions, in two of which he narrowly missed and his other met with an excellent save by Hakan Arikan.
Rodrigo also tried his luck. The centre midfielder and former Academy player hit a brilliant shot from the top of the box that was kept out by the Turkish goalkeeper’s ‘iron hands’.
The former Academy player had given them a warning, but came on and scored straight away at the start of the second half. Rodrigo won the ball back in the middle, advanced with the ball at his feet and let the ball fly as he approached the edge of the area. His shot hit the back of the net after a deflection off a defender looped up and over the goalkeeper. Unstoppable. It was Rodrigo’s first goal for the Villarreal First Team.
Osmanlispor got their second goal of the night, and the eventual game winner, with a quarter of an hour left. Umar set off down the right wing and attempted a shot across goal, which Andrés Fernández saved. But the rebound fell to Rusescu, who made no mistake, sending the ball crashing into the back of the net, shortly after entering the field of play.
The Yellows kept going until the end. Sansone deserves a special mention for his brilliant strike in injury time, that forced Hakan Arikan to make another great save, making him his team’s hero tonight.
Villarreal’s next UEFA Europa League match will be away from home against FC Zürich (24th November, 7pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández; Rukavina, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, José Ángel; Jonathan dos Santos (Sansone, m. 80), Rodrigo, Bruno, Cheryshev (Castillejo, m. 68); Santos Borré (Pato, m. 62) and Bakambu.
Osmanlispor FK: Hakan Arikan; Bayir, Numan, Prochazka, Tiago Pinto; Musa (Demir, m. 85), N’Diaye; Umar, Maher, Delarge (Regattin, m. 66); and Webó (Rusescu, m. 72).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 7: Webó. 1-1. Min. 47: Rodrigo. 1-2. Min. 74: Rusescu.
Referee: Harald Lechner (AUT). Cautioned: Víctor Ruiz for the locals and Bayir and Musa for the visitors.
Stadium: El Madrigal.
