Unai Emery’s men lose against Athletic in a game where they conceded two penalties
Villarreal lost to a hard-working Athletic Club side (2-1) at a tough stadium to visit in San Mamés. It was a tight game, but eventually it was the home side who won. Both teams had a high tempo from the start, and in the first minute, the Submarine got in behind the defence, but Unai Simón saved Arnaut Danjuma’s effort.
The first real chance for Athletic was a shot from Inaki Williams which bounced off the bar. It wasn’t long after that when Raúl García scored at full stretch to reach William’s cross and beat Gero Rulli. Things would go from bad to wrose for Villarreal when Gerard Moreno went off injured, having to be replaced by Samu Chukwueze before the halfway point of the first 45 minutes.
Francis Coquelin however did get an equaliser when the Yellows needed it most. Danjuma was involved again, getting free down the left, and laying it off to the French midfielder, who sent a rocket into the back of the net. On the back of the goal, Villarreal grew and started to created more danger for the Basque defence.
After the break, Villarreal came out looking for the win, and nearly did so after a fantastic individual run by Danjuma, but the Dutchman was denied by Simón. However, it was the home side who went ahead once more, after a penalty was given by VAR after Alberto Moreno stepped on Iñigo Lekue in the box. Iker Muniain stepped up to send Rulli the wrong way. Minutes later, the Argentine goalkeeper found himself facing a penalty again, this time taken by Álex Berenguer. Rulli read the spot-kick and saved well.
Villarreal were unable to get any points frmo their visit to San Mamés. Next up for the Yellows is a home game on Tuesday 26th October at 9:30pm CEST against Cadiz at the Estadio de la Cerámica, corresponding to Matchday 11 of the 2021/22 LaLiga season.
Lineups:
Athletic Club: Unai Simón; I. Lekue, Vivian, I. Martínez, Balenziaga; Berenguer (m. 87, Zarraga), Daní García (m.90, Vesga), Vencedor Muniain (m. 87, N. Williams); Raúl García (m. 72, Ohian Sancet) y Williams (m. 72, Villalibre).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Foyth (m. 64, Serge Aurier), R. Albiol, Pau, Estupiñán; Coquelin (m. 63, Alberto M.), Capoue, Parejo; Yeremy (m. 63, Dani Raba), Gerard (m. 21, Chukwueze) y Danjuma.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 14: Raúl García. 1-1. Min. 31: Coquelin. 2-1. Min 77: Muniain.
Referee: Cuadra Fernández. Booked: Foyth, Alberto M., Estupiñán (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between Athletic Club and Villarreal CF, corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 10, at San Mamés.
