Marcelino’s team won 3-0 against Panathinaikos but they got complicated in a bad last half hour that almost ended in tragedy
With the victory, Villarreal secures second place and qualify for the knockout phase. First place will be played with Rennes
Villarreal wins but again does not convince. The ‘Yellow Submarine’ beat Panathinaikos (3-2) and certified their qualification for the knockout phase of the Europa Leaguealthough a match that they won 3-0 became excessively complicated. Morales, with goal and assist, was once again the protagonist. Marcelino’s men secure second place and if they beat Maccabi in the pending match they would take first place, which would mean that a draw in Rennes on the last day would help them finish at the head of the group.
The technician reserved several pieces such as Gerard Moreno, Pedraza or Capoue and his team once again generated certain doubts at the beginning. A missile from Rubén Pérez, former captain of Leganés, was taken by Reina with some difficulties. It was not the expected match script, with Villarreal insipid, imprecise and in a hurry. Nothing that can’t be fixed with the sauce of football: the goal. Individual play by Ilias Akhomach and the former Barça player leaked at the right moment for Baena to beat Brignoli with a soft touch.
The sky opened up for the ‘groguet’ team, which five minutes later made it 2-0. This time it was Morales who cooked the action and Comesaña the executor. The midfielder received the ‘Comandante’ in front, got rid of him with great oriented control and kissed the tights thanks to his lash with his right foot.
In just over half an hour Villarreal got the game back on track and seemed to finish it off as soon as they came out of the break. An error by Arao penalized Baena and he assisted Morales, which did not fail in the area. Six goals in the last three games for the former Levante player. The 3-0 ended the party in a Cerámica that was on the verge of breaking.
Aitor Cantalapiedra warned at the hour mark with a goal that was ultimately disallowed due to an off-fire signaled by the VAR. However, the night began to get complicated when Baena committed a penalty in an attempt to clear. Ioannidis, recently admitted, failed, but Palacios caught the rebound. Cantalapiedra had it very clear after a great play by the Greek shortly after and the player himself Ioannidis did not forgive in the 81st minute after beating the defense’s back.
The rumor settled in the ‘groguet’ fiefdom, which ended up suffering even though it could have been avoided. Brereton missed a couple of good chances and still hasn’t shown the reason for signing him while Brignoli made three saves in a row to frustrate Villarreal. First to Gerard and then two to Alberto Moreno, the first being especially miraculous. Villarreal did not regret it, continues with lights and shadows.