The Submarine beats AC Sparta Prague in a match they deserved to get more out of
Villarreal overcomes AC Sparta Prague 2-1 and gains the advantage in their UEFA Europa League Quarter-final tie thanks to two goals from Bakambu. The Yellows were better and deserved to get a lot more out of the game, but they failed to convert many of their clear chances on goal.
The Submarine took the lead early on after Bakambu closed down the Sparta goalkeeper and blocked his clearance with the rebound flying past Bicik and into the back of the net.
Villarreal were a force to be reckoned with. They created chance after chance up until half time, but not one ended up in the Czech goal. Samu Castillejo had two very clear chances; the first of which, in the 12thminute, saw his powerful shot saved by Bicik, while for the second, in the 35th minute, his shot sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
Bakambu also had his chances with a one on one in which Bicik come out on top with a fine save and a diving header which challenged the Sparta keeper. The Yellows had the upper hand, but the Czech side turned that around at the end of the half as Brabec headed home from a corner in the last minute of first half stoppage time .
The second half started with another clear chance for the Submarine. Mario’s header struck the crossbar to the Yellows’ fans despair, who could see that their team deserved to be winning on the scoreboard, and comfortably so at that.
The reward came in the 63rd minute to make it 2-1. Bruno put a great pass through to Denis Suárez and the Yellow number 18 set up Bakambu, who made no mistake about firing the ball home with a powerful shot to the right corner. The French-Congolese striker has now scored 19 goals this season in all competitions (11 in the league, 7 in the UEFA Europa League and 1 in the Copa del Rey). Impressive.
Marclino’s substitutions gave the team that extra push and they continued to create chances. In the 74thminute Denis took on the defence and had a great shot that Bicik struggled to keep out. Bakambu got the rebound but the Czech keeper saved once again. Incredible.
The second leg will be played on Thursday 14th April in the Letná stadium at 9:05pm CET.
Line-ups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Bailly, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa (Adrián Marín, m. 76); Denis Suárez, Trigueros, Bruno, Samu Castillejo (Leo Baptistao, m. 61); Bakambu (Adrián, m. 82) and Soldado.
AC Sparta Praha: Bicik; Brabec, Holek (Kovac, m. 28), Costa; Dockal, Frydek, Marecek, Matejovsky (Lafata, m. 87), Krejci; Konaté and Julis (Fatai, m. 72).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 2: Bakambu. 1-1. Min. 45: Brabec. 2-1. Min. 63: Bakambu.
Referee: Ovidiu Hategan (Romania). Cautioned: Jaume Costa for the locals; Brabec, Matejovsky and Costa for the visitors.
Stadium: El Madrigal.
