El conjunto amarillo doblega al Rayo Vallecano y suma tres valiosos puntos gracias a los goles de Mandi y Gerard
The Yellows defeat Rayo Vallecano and get three important points thanks to goals from Mandi and Gerard
Three golden points. Villarreal got an important win against Rayo Vallecano (2-0). The Yellows were strong and overcome the side from the Spanish capital thanks to goals from Aïssa Mandi and Gerard Moreno. The Submarine returned to enjoying life at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
To face Rayo Vallecano, Unai Emery made seven changes to the starting XI from the impressive win in Bergamo (2-3). Mario Gaspar, Mandi, Alfonso Pedraza, Vicetne Iborroa, Manu Trigueros, Yeremy and Boulaye Dia all came into the starting XI at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Villarreal started the important match at a high tempo, and were direct against Rayo Vallecano. The Submarine dominated and looked comfortable.
In the 25th minute, Gerard could have put Villarreal ahead of bringing the ball down well, but he couldn’t get a clean shot off. His effort was saved easily by Dimitrievski.
With half an hour on the clock, Villarreal found the opening goal through Mandi. The Algerian defender headed the ball into the back of the net after a Dani Parejo corner. Straight after, the centre-back made a fantastic goal-line clearance.
Emery’s side were ahead on the scoreboard, but they didn’t want to settle for that. With ten minutes left before half-time, Gerard was brought down in the box after a great piece of individual play from Dia. The Yellows No.7, a specialist from 12 yards, sent Dimitrievski the wrong way to extend the Submarine’s lead.
The first good chance of the second half went to Pau Torres. In the 57th minute, the defender headed onto the bar. Rayo Vallecano stepped forward, leaving spaces in behind. In the 73rd minute, Gerard had the ball in the back of the net after receiving a ball from Alberto Moreno. The goal didn’t count as it was offside.
Two minutes later, Rulli made a fantastic sabe to deny a Nteka header. The goalkeeper kept the Submarine’s two-goal lead on a number of chances. Late on, Villarreal could also have scored more.
The Submarine came away with an important win and three big points to move up the LaLiga table. The Yellows return to action this Wednesday at 9pm CET against Atlético Sanluqueño in the Copa del Rey.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Mario Gaspar, Mandi, Pau, A. Pedraza; Iborra, Parejo (Alberto M., m. 62), M. Trigueros (Moi Gómez, m. 78), Yeremy (Chukwueze, m. 62); Gerard (Paco Alcácer, m. 85), Dia (Capoue, m. 62).
Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Saveljilch (Pozo, m. 82), Catena, Fran García; Isi (Bebé, m. 65), Óscar, Óscar Trejo (Nteka, m. 58), Santi C.V (Unai López, m. 65), Álvaro; Sergi Guardiola (Andrés, m. 82).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 32: Mandi. 1-0. Min. 36: Gerard.
Referee: Melero López. Booked: Pau Torres (Villarreal), Isi, Catena, Fran García (Rayo Vallecano).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Rayo Vallecano corresponding to Matchday 17 of the 2021/22 LaLiga season at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendance. 13,133.
