Villarreal draw to Hércules in their first preseason friendly with a Gerard Moreno goal
Villarreal drew against Hércules de Alicante in the Yellow Submarine’s first preseason friendly match (1-1). A preparation match that was marked, without a doubt, by the return of Santi Cazorla to the pitch. Cazorla put his kit back on after 21 months out due to injury and received a standing ovation from fans at the Mini Estadi. Villarreal’s only goal of the game was scored by Gerard Moreno and Salinas scored for the Alicante side.
Javi Calleja played 23 players from his squad. Practically two different elevens in each half, with the exception of Cáseres, who played the first 39 minutes and Santi Cazorla, who played the final minutes of the match to the fans delight. A special mention must also be given to those players that made their debuts, Toko Ekambi and Funes Mori, as well as Alfonso Pedraza, Gerard Moreno and Nahuel for returning to Villarreal after some time away.
In their first half there were few chances on goal. The clearest chances for Villarreal fell to the boots of Samu Castillejo and the head of Funes Mori. The Yellow number 10 hit the crossbar from a freekick, while the Argentinean centre back’s header towards goal went just wide of the post.
Cáseres’ debut and presentation in front of his new fans
Santiago Cáseres made his debut for the Yellows. The Argentinean midfielder, who in the morning had been officially presented in a press conference, played his first minutes for the Yellow Submarine as a starter against Hércules. What’s more, at half time there was a short presentation in front of his new fans. Cáseres did the usual kick ups and gave out presents to the fans in the stands.
Three minutes in and a goal by Gerard Moreno
The first goal came in the second half. Just three minutes into the second half, Miguelón attacked down the right flank and sent in a driven cross to Gerard Moreno who smashed the ball into the back of the net (1-0, m. 48). What a brilliant return.
Santi Cazorla gets back on the pitch
Without a doubt, the news of the night was the return of Santi Cazorla. Cazorla got back to being a footballer after 21 months out due to a serious injury to his Achilles tendon. He played his last match on 19th October 2016 in a Champions League match between Arsenal and Ludogorets. Wiith the number ‘12’ on his back, Cazorla came on in the 57th minute replacing Ramiro Guerra.
Hércules equalised in the 82nd minute. Salinas converted a ball in from the right and evened things up for the visitors.
Villarreal’s next match is this Saturday against Olympique de Marseille (7pm, Parc des Sports).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Álvaro, Funes Mori, Adrián Marín; S. Castillejo, Cáseres, P. Fornals, A. Pedraza; Toko Ekambi and Enes Ünal.
Also played: Ramiro Guerra, A. Fernández, V. Ruiz, Gerard, J. Costa, Miguelón, Morlanes, Leo Suárez, Raba, Nahuel, Pau and Santi Cazorla.
Hércules CF: Falcón; Juanjo Nieto, Nani, Pol Bueso, Samuel; Candela, Chechu, Ronald, David Torres, Juli and José Fran.
Also played: Pol Roige, Carlos Martínez, Víctor, Salinas, Álvaro, Óscar Díaz, Piera, Pedro Torres and Josué.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 48: Gerard. 1-1. Min. 82: Salinas.
Referee: Medié Jiménez. Cautioned: Álvaro for Villarreal and José Fran for Hércules CF.
Ground: Mini Estadi.
