The end of the first half conditioned the Yellows’ hopes at the King Power Stadium
Villarreal CF were unable to get the win in the fifth game of the 2021/22 pre-season. The Yellows lost at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City in a match that was all but decided thanks to two goals in quick succession from the hosts at the end of the first half. Unai Emery’s side looked good at the end of the game, turning a game that was 3-0 after 51 minutes into one that was 3-2 after 83 thanks to goals from Fer Niño and Álex Millán.
The Yellow Submarine took to the King Power Stadium pitch full of determination. The first chance went to Fer Niño after a great cross from Manu Morlanes, although his header was off target. Leicester grew into the game, which became even, but the Yellows’ defence and Sergio Asenjo in goal looked strong at repelling the Foxes.
However, the home side were creating a lot of danger from set pieces towards the end of the first half. Brendan Rodgers’ side went ahead in the 40th minute, with Caglar Söyüncü making it 1-0 after a Ryan Bertrand ball into the box. A minute later, a counter-attack started by James Maddison was ended brilliantly by Harvey Barnes, making it 2-0 before half-time.
After the interval, Leicester made it 3-0 in the 51st minute through Ayoze Pérez. When it looked like the result was decided, the Yellows got one back in the 75th minute. Fer Niño made it 3-1 after a great Rubén Peña pass. Emery’s side got back into the game even more after a Danny Ward error, which Álex Millán capitalised on to make it 3-2 with seven minutes left to play. Villarreal pushed forward, but the scoreboard stayed the same.
Next up for Villarreal CF will be their sixth game of pre-season against Leeds United on Saturday 7th August at 8pm CEST, in a stadium still to be confirmed. The match will be shown live on À Punt in Spain.
Lineups:
- Leicester City: Schmeichel; Ricardo, Fofana, Söyüncü, Bertrand; Tielemans, Ndidi; Pérez, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy. Also played: Ward, Pereira, Dewsbury-Hall, Daka, Soumaré, Nelson, Benković, Amartey, Thomas, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Praet,.
- Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Albiol, Mandi, Alberto Moreno; Yeremy Pino, Morlanes, Foyth, Trigueros; Gerard Moreno, Fer Niño. Also played: Pedraza, Nikita Iosifov, Álex Baena, Álex Millán. Dani Raba.
- Goals: 1-0. Min. 40: Söyüncü. 2-0. Min. 41: Barnes. 3-0. Min. 51: Ayoze Pérez. 3-1. Min. 75: Fer Niño. 3-2. Min. 83: Álex Millán.
- Referee: Matt Donohue.
