The Yellows lose against Real Sporting and are knocked out of the tournament
Villarreal have said farewell to the Copa del Rey this season after losing to Real Sporting (2-1) in a tight match where the Yellows took the lead. The home side, with a late goal, knocked the Submarine out of the competition.
The Yellows lined up with a starting XI with a few changes to it for the game against Real Sporting in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. Dani Raba made his third start of the tournament up front, alongside Nicolas Jackson who made his first start for Unai Emery’s side.
There was a lot of respect between both sides in the first half. The opening 45 minutes saw the two teams have moments where they went close, but without causing too much danger. The best chances for the Submarine went to Manu Trigueros and Étienne Capoue, whose long-range efforts did not really trouble Diego Mariño.
After the half-time break, Villarreal broke the deadlock with a Raúl Albiol goal. The Valencian defender headed into the back of the net after a Moi Gómez cross from the right. The Yellows took the lead at El Molinón.
Just before the hour mark, after a lovely piece of link-up play between Gerard Moreno and Jackson, Alberto Moreno got the ball in the box, and his shot was saved brilliantly by Mariño, who stopped Villarreal from going 0-2 up at the impressive Asturian stadium. Minutes later, Real Sporting drew level after an error in playing out from the back by Villarreal. The home side’s goal was scored by Djuka with a long-range effort.
The match was open in the closing stages. Both teams looked for the victory and to avoid extra-time, which looked like it was inevitable. However, in the 88th minute, Bogdan turned things around for the home team with a powerful effort after a nice piece of team build-up. Villarreal said goodbye to their cup dreams.
Lineups:
Real Sporting: Mariño; Bogdan, Babin (Berrocal, m. 46), Borja López, Kravets (Pablo García, m. 46); Rivera, Pedro Díaz (Fran Villalba, m. 46), Gaspar, José Luis Rodríguez (Aitor G., m. 79), Nacho Méndez; Berto (Djuka, m. 62).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Mario Gaspar, R. Albiol (Foyth, m. 68), Pau, A. Pedraza (Estupiñán, m. 89); Capoue, M. Trigueros (Parejo, m. 68), Moi Gómez, Alberto M.; Raba (Gerard, m. 46), N. Jackson (Iborra, m. 89).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 48: R. Albiol. 1-1. Min. 67: Djuka. 2-1. Min. 88: Bogdan.
Referee: Muñiz Ruiz,
Matchday information: Match between Real Sporting and Villarreal CF, corresponding to the Copa del Rey Round of 32, at the Estadio El Molinón – Enrique Castro ‘Quini’.
