Real Betis vs Villarreal
La Liga
Benito Villamarin
Villarreal, who were undefeated leading into this fixture, looked to extend their unbeaten run. Their opponents, on the other hand, looked to bounce back. Having suffered their first loss in their last game.
The contest in its entirety proceeded rather cautiously. Neither team created many chances. However, Sánchez scored the only goal of the fixture in one of those chances. Thus, the contest ended 1-0 in the hosts’ favour.
Real Betis vs Villarreal: Match report
Real Betis: Rui Silva; Sabaly, Pezzela, Luiz Felipe, Álex Moreno; William, G. Rodríguez, Luiz Henrique (Guardado, m. 84), Canales, Rodri (Aitor Ruibal, m. 69); and B. Iglesias (Willian J., d. 89)
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Kiko F., R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza (Mojica, m. 71); Yeremy (Chukwueze, d. 54), Parejo, Capoue (Coquelin, d. 71), Lo Celso; Gerard (Álex B., min. 54) and N. Jackson (AJ Morales, m. 78).
Goal: 1-0. Min. 61: Rodri.
Referee: De Burgos Bengoetxea (Basque Committee). He admonished the local Guardado, as well as the visitor Yeremy.
Post match reaction
Villarreal head coach Unai Emery: “It’s a bit of a disappointment. We couldn’t be in control with long possessions and we took advantage of that to create quicker attacks. Gerard’s injury altered our plans, we didn’t manage to have as much space and be able to run. We lacked danger in the second half and we ended up paying for not being more accurate in the first half.”
“They are very good and when the game goes their way they are even better. Their goal changed the game and we didn’t know how to react. The 1-0 scoreline left us with a game to be patient, to play closer to their area, but with less space.”
