Unai Emery’s team get their first win in the UEFA Champions League and put themselves right in the fight to qualify from the group
An important win to keep hopes alive in the UEFA Champions League. Villarreal beat BSC Young Boys (1-4) in a tough match which wasn’t resolved until the closing stages. The Yellows scored two goals in the opening of the game, where they were able to control the Swiss side’s direct football, before they cut the lead on the scoreboard. However, the Submarine killed off the home side’s hopes with two late goals which turned the match in Bern into a goal fest.
With the win in Switzerland, the Yellows got their first win this season in the UEFA Champions League, and put themselves in the fight to ge tinto the Round of 16 of the leading European competition. The Yellows goals came from Yeremy Pino, Gerard Moreno, Alberto Moreno and Samu Chukwueze.
There were more than just three points in play in Bern. The Yellows travelled to Swiss soil with the aim of getting their first win this UEFA Champions League campaign. Before today, Unai Emery’s side had got a point at home to Atalanta BC (2-2) and suffered a last-minute defeat against Manchester United (2-1). It was crucial to get a good result to get back into the fight to reach the Round of 16.
Villarreal took to the pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium with Alfonso Pedraza, Raúl Albiol and Francis Coquelin coming into the team after being named on the bench at the start of the last match, in LaLiga, against CA Osasuna.
The match started in the best way possible for the Submarine. In the sixth minute, Villarreal went ahead on the scoreboard. Yeremy opened the scoring with a calm header after a fantastic cross to the back post by Pedraza. With the goal, the winger celebrated his 19th birthday in style.
With a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock, Emery’s side continued their red-hot start to the game by scoring their second goal of the evening. Gerard headed home after a Dani Parejo free-kick was clipped into the box. A perfect start for the away side.
After the Yellows’ goals, Young Boys woke up and started to cause trouble for Emery’s team. The Swiss side had a number of goalscoring opportunities, but none could beat Gero Rulli.
The start of the second half saw football played at a high tempo, with both teams having chances. Villarreal went close to the third goal with a Pedraza shot from a tight angle after an impressive run down the left. His powerful effort hit the bar.
In the 76th minute, Young Boys got a goal back through Elia. Not long after, Albiol suffered a strong blow to his face, and had to be replaced by Aïssa Mandi.
The goal was open until the 89th minute, when Alberto Moreno scored the third goal after a counter attack to kill off the game for the Yellows. A few minutes later, Chukwueze increased the lead after a lovely piece of play between Alberto Moreno, Moi Gómez and Gerard.
Lineups
BSC Young Boys: Von Ballmoos; Ngamaleu, Camara, Lauper, Lefort (Hefti, m. 62), García; Aebischer, Martins (Rieder, m. 69) Pereira, Fassnacht (Mambimbi, m. 90); Siebatcheu (Kanga, m. 69), Elia.
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Foyth, R. Albiol (Mandi, m. 83), Pau, Pedraza; Coquelin (Alberto M., m. 68), Capoue, Parejo; Yeremy (Moi Gómez, m. 89), Gerard, Danjuma (Chukwueze, m. 90).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 6: Yeremy. 0-2. Min. 16: Gerard. 1-2. Min. 76: Elia. 1-3. Min. 89: Alberto M. 1-4, Min. 91: Chukwueze.
Referee: Sergei Karasev (Russia). Booked: Aebischer (BSC Young Boys), Rulli (Villarreal CF).
Matchday information: Match between BSC Young Boys and Villarreal CF, corresponding to Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League at the Wankdorf Stadium in front of 31,120 people.
