Villarreal CF - Athletic Club

Villarreal 3 Athletic Club 1

Athletic Club has been defeated by Villarreal CF 3-1 at the ‘Estadio de la cerámica’. Aymeric Laporte has scored our goal, while Victor Ruiz, Bakambu and Adrian have been the home side scorers.

Our team hasn’t been able to add in the direct duel to approach the fifth place, and hasn’t done so because it has been less effective than its rival. Thus, the first half of the duel has been balanced and Aymeric Laporte has managed to match immediately the goal obtained by Victor Ruiz. The balance could have been broken shortly before the break, but the crossbar has spit a header of Aduriz.

The first minutes of the resumption have been fatal, in the minute one a fault in favor has ended in a counterattack and a rival goal, scored by Bakambu. Almost without time to recover, the 3-1 has arrived, although this time the misfortune in terms of decisions has outweighed effectiveness. A non-existent foul has become a foul and its launch has led to a non-designed infringement and with it the third goal.

Athletic has not surrendered and from there in the end has monopolized initiative and goal chances. Between the crossbar and the local keeper, it has been impossible. Even more so after the minute 73, when after the expulsion of Ruiz the game has gone not to play for the constant interruptions while Villarreal was defending to perfection.

Seven match-days to the end and, as expected, seven finals in the tough fight for a place in the next UEL. The first of them next Friday (of European passion) in San Mamés against of UD Las Palmas.