Sara Monforte’s side were better than their opponents and get a point that keeps them out of the relegation zone
Villarreal Women picked up a point in the derby against Valencia Women in the match corresponding to matchday 7 of the 2022/23 Liga Finetwork season played at the Mini Estadi. Sara Monforte’s side put in a very positive performance against their local rivals and deserved more than a draw, which was enough to earn them a point and keep them out of the relegation zone.
Both sides tried to take control of the ball in the early stages of the game, but it was Villarreal who had the first chances of the game.
Only six minutes had been played when Ainoa Campo, who was making her first league start of the season, dared with a shot from outside the box that went just wide and almost went in after touching a defender as it headed towards goal.
Monforte’s team were looking for a goal and straight from the training ground there was another dangerous for the home side. Maria Cienfuegos, from a corner, slipped a pass into the heart of the box that found Sheila Guijarró who, with her back to goal, shot with her right foot but her effort went narrowly wide.
Villarreal were dominating the game, but one of their first real chances, Valencia took the lead. Striker Ana Marcos made the most of a great through ball.
Th Yellows, who had created some great chances in the first half, went in at the break behind.
The second half started perfectly for the Submarine, who had two great chances after the break through Fatou Kanteh and Ainoa. However, the Yellows’ persistence was to pay off in the 55th minute when Sheila, after a great assist from
Monforte was sent off in the 70th minute after protesting after a heavy tackle on Sheila, but the Yellows continued to attack the visitors’ goal relentlessly in search of a winner.
Villarreal Women continued to accumulate dangerous approaches, but failed to score the goal that would give them the victory and earned a point thanks to Sheila’s goal.
Next up is a game against Real Madrid at 6:45pm CEST, corresponding to the rearranged Matchday 1 game of the 2022/23 Finetwork Liga F season at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground.
Lineups:
Villarreal Women: Elena de Toro; Nerea, Lara Mata, I. Miguélez, Giménez (min. 74, Estefa); Ainoa, Soldevila, Cienfu (min. 87, Claudia I.), M. Llompart (min. 79, Belén); Kanteh, Sheila.
Valencia Women: Enith; Kerlly R., M. Carro, Pujadas (min. 65, M. Molina), B. Beltrán; Pauleta (min. 55, Sandra), A. Torrodà (min. 78, Chacón), Anita Marcos, Fiamma, M. Portales; Asun.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 22: Ana Marcos. 1-1. Min. 55: Sheila.
Referee: María Planes. Sent off: Sara Monforte (Villarreal Women head coach). Booked: Nerea, Giménez, I. Miguélez (Villarreal); S. Perera (Valencia).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal Women and Valencia Women, corresponding to Matchday 7 of the 2022/23 Liga F Finetwork season at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground. Attendance: 967.