SB Nation - Hernán Pérez

So long, Nilmar. Now for a new striker, or two....

Allen Dodson — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:12:13 -0000

Villarreal have officially announced what was under discussion for some time, the transfer of Nilmar to Qatari club Al-Rayyan for €8m. There may be some variables, who knows. Nilmar wanted to go to Brazil but clubs there couldn't make a good enough offer, and then the Qatar bunch threw a huge salary at him. We hope he can rehabilitate his career there, but to be honest I doubt many of us will pay much attention to the Stars League in which Al-Rayyan play.

So now attention turns to the sale of Zapata, which is expected to happen for around €6m; word is he will return to Italy. With that done, the club will have met its target for player sales (having sold or loaned out 11 players), and won't have sold Borja Valero or Bruno Soriano to get there.

Bruno's name has been in the news though as it transpired his agent had reached an agreement with Valencia for his transfer, but Sr. Roig refused to sell him for the €9m ( possibly raised to €10.5m) our neighbors offered. There's been a lot of angry blogging about this on both sides of the Villarreal-Valencia divide, let's just say, with Villarreal fans feeling Valencia was illegally negotiating with Bruno and Valencia supporters incensed that Sr. Roig was holding out for €12m.

There is still a chance Bruno could leave, but it would be to Spartak Moscow, now managed by Unai Emery. Bruno turned that deal down earlier but if it's his only chance for Champions League football...

Malaga: there is a report that some players have reported the club for non-payment of wages: I should note this has not been confirmed by others

Incoming players: Almeria seem to want €5m for Ulloa, and Sr. Roig is not sure he is worth that, and negotiations continue...

UD Almería: La marcha de Leo Ulloa es cuestión de días. Ideal

El Villarreal ya tiene liquidez para cerrar el fichaje de Ulloa - Liga Adelante | Almería - AS.com

Meanwhile, Villarreal have picked up Lucas Viatri from Boca Juniors on loan, with a purchase option (maybe €6m?) Hasta pronto, Lucas | Olé

First friendly (really more of an intrasquad scrimmage): Villarreal "A" defeated Villarreal "B" 4-1. Goals from Moi Gomez, Joan Oriol, Gerard Moreno, and Hernan Perez for the winners, Juanto for the B team.

Adiós, Amigo: Jefferson Montero

siempre_riquelme — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:00:44 -0000

The second installment in a series on players who leave Villarreal in this summer of changes. Part one featured goalkeeper Diego López and defender Iván Marcano. Now it's the turn of enigmatic Ecuadorean winger Jefferson Montero.

Jefferson Montero: 3 years with Villarreal (1.5 on loan); sold to Monarcas Morelia (Mexico) for €3.3 million.

The Yellow Submarine's version of Alexander Semin: talented but never quite together. Montero's youth (age 22) is a mitigating factor, but Villarreal fans never saw the player who has received 20 caps with La Tri.

Montero arrived in Vila-real in 2009 as a highly-rated teenager. Another coup for José Manuel Llaneza and the club's vaunted South American pipeline. Under Juan Carlos Garrido, then-manager of the 'B' team, Montero lit up the Segunda for ten goals in 32 appearances. He was among "Garrido's Nine" promoted to the big club in 2010.

2010-11 was a highly successful season for Villarreal CF: fourth in La Liga, Europa League semifinalist, and Copa del Rey quarterfinalist. But not for Jeff. A number of more experienced attacking midfielders were ahead of him on the depth chart, so Montero made only nine appearances (all as a substitute) in four months. He created a Nilmar tally against Espanyol and scored against Athletic Bilbao, but 140 minutes of playing time in total were not enough.

So Jeff went on loan to our neighbors Levante for four months. He made 11 appearances (four starts), notably not against Villarreal, but failed to get on the scoresheet. Montero continued his tour of Spain in 2011-12 with a year-long loan at Real Betis. His only goal came against Real Madrid, which is nice, but more is expected of an attacking player in 33 appearances (27 starts).

Betis wanted to keep him for another season. Many thought Villarreal would return to the Segunda with Montero and Hernán Pérez on the flanks. But the move to Mexico is best for Jeff with an eye on Brazil 2014. If Ecuador qualifies for the World Cup, he will be in the biggest shop window around.

Best of luck, Jeffrey. I will miss your verve. Hope you round out in Mexico.

The unthinkable happens: Villarreal is relegated

Allen Dodson — Sun, 13 May 2012 22:53:24 -0000

This is a post that we all hoped we wouldn't have to write, and you'll excuse me if it feels like an obituary, but I suppose in a sense it is.

Quite apart from that, I don' t feel like recapping this match in detail, partly because for large stretches it was a very poor game. Villarreal deployed a trivote of Bruno, Marchena and Senna, with Hernán Pérez and Borja Valero trying to link those three with Marco Ruben.

I thought Atletico seemed tired in the first half, or at least less than fully interested. As it turnde out, neither team had a shot on net in the first half, but Villarreal had the better of the shots that went wide. Hernan Perez could have given the Submarine a lead within eight minutes but pulled his shot wide, later Ruben shot wide and Carlos Marchena's header from a free kick was just on the wrong side of the post.

Atleti didn't show much, with Salvio having maybe the best chance but his shot was blocked by Musacchio. At the half we were still staying up, especially as Rayo and Granada were also drawing.

HT Villarreal 0-0 Atletico Madrid

Just like last week, as soon as the second half started Villarreal were on the back foot. Atleti had three good chances to score, with Tiago and Salvio both bringing fine saves from Diego Lopez while Filipe Luis somehow hit the post from a Juanfran cross with Lopez beaten. It wasn't looking good.

Villarreal really only had one good chance in the remaining portion of regular time--Marcos Senna's excellent free kick was saved by Courtois in the 72nd minute. Angel had come on for Marchena, but Villarreal were defending deeper and deeper, and Pérez, Borja and Ruben were basically seeing none of the ball. The afición was crying out for Cani, at least those of us commenting on this website were, but when Lotina finally did make a change--with three minutes to go--it was Wakaso Mubarak who came on for Pérez. Why?

As the match neared injury time, Atletico forced a corner. And for the first time all day, Radamel Falcao got away from Zapata and headed Diego's cross home. How unfair and cruel could this season be? Within a minute news came in that Rayo had scored a stoppage-time winner against Granada. Still, if Villarreal could somehow score in injury time, they would stay up.....

.....and it nearly happened. Nilmar (who had replaced Mario immediately after the Atletico goal) crossed for Marco Ruben and his header went just past the post. That was it, really. El Madrigal sat in shock and silence; Sr. Roig, having held his head in his hands in the palco, left the box to console the players and fans. After twelve wonderful years in the Primera, the last team other than Barcelona and Real Madrid to finish in the top two in the league was no longer in the top flight.

FT Villarreal 0-1 Atletico Madrid

I'd love to congratulate Zaragoza and Granada on staying up, but I cannot, given Zara's financial irregularities, rumors of payoffs, and the fact that Granada is basically a farm team of Udinese. But, admittedly, that's sour grapes.

I feel really badly for all Villarreal fans, I feel especially gutted for our B team, who now are automatically relegated from the Segunda in order to make room for us. Of course, many of them, and maybe their coach as well, may end up featuring for Villarreal in the Segunda next year. We will have to wait and see.

The last time VIllarreal were relegated, they bounced straight back. There's no reason why we can't do that again. Siempre, siempre, ENDAVANT VILLARREAL!

Life and Death: Villarreal - Atlético Madrid

maddi — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:37:14 -0000

Ninety minutes. Two halves. One directive. 37 matches in the making. I am probably not unique in feeling absolutely abused after those 37 matches of pain, suffering, and desolation. And as a result, come Sunday evening, there are exactly two options for Villarreal's future: first, salvation, a fresh start, and waves of relief; second, relegation, destruction, and exponential effects on Villarreal's financial downturn. Either way, there will be tears.

To put it a little more bluntly, Villarreal require a single point to survive the relegation battle. There are 81 potential scenarios between Villarreal, Zaragoza, Rayo Vallecano, and Granada, as to who will take the 18th place in the table, and find themselves in Segunda A. Discussed more below the jump, Villarreal only drop in six of those scenarios, and all six involve Villarreal losing. A draw, a victory, and Villarreal are safe for another year.

Villarreal have been in the Primera since 1998 (save for a single year relegated at the end of the 1990s), and while they have previously survived a relegation, things are dramatically different today. A relegation could be the ruin of the club, considering the financial state of affairs in Spain today, the changing culture of Spanish (and world) football, and the concentration of wealth at the very top of La Liga.

To save the club, Villarreal must pick up this point against Atlético Madrid, a perennial nemesis to Villarreal (occasionally on the pitch, frequently in the transfer market, and ALWAYS when it comes to shortsheeting Villarreal's mattresses on club retreats - damned mattressmakers). The team that are notoriously underachievers have made a name for themselves in the Europa League, now winning it twice in the last three years. Not that Villarreal has a bevy of shiny objects in their trophy case to look down their noses at the mediocre red and whites from Madrid, but it does seem a bit appropriate that they are making a habit of winning the second-place trophy in Europe, them being the second-place club in their own city (clearly we are not in a position to make such quips, but it is hard to resist against Atlético!).

The matches that are relevant to Villarreal include (1) Villarreal - Atlético; (2) Rayo - Granada; (3) Getafe - Zaragoza; and (4) Málaga - Sporting. I am open to correction on this, but I believe their are five clubs that could still theoretically avoid that 17th or 18th position in the drop zone, or could find themselves relegated: Villarreal, Sporting, Rayo, Granada, Zaragoza. Of the five teams, I do not know if anyone could pick the most likely team to drop. Villarreal have been hit or miss throughout. Zaragoza have been on a relative tear lately. Sporting have had a rough go of things, and didn't help themselves by falling to Villarreal a week and a half ago at home, but could still seek out salvation with a win and a lot of dominoes falling their way. Granada are just floating along, hoping to survive. Rayo are falling quickly, but could survive with a loss if Zaragoza can't pull out the away win against Getafe. The six scenarios where Villarreal A find themselves experiencing 2012-2013 in the Segunda:

1 - Getafe and Zaragoza tie, Rayo beats Granada, Málaga defeats Sporting, and Villarreal loses to Atlético Madrid.
2 - Getafe and Zaragoza tie, Rayo beats Granada, Málaga draws against Sporting, and Villarreal falls to Atlético Madrid.
3 - Getafe and Zaragoza tie, Rayo beats Granada, Málaga loses to Sporting, and Villarreal loses to Atlético Madrid.
4 - Zaragoza win at Getafe, Rayo beats Granada, Málaga defeats Sporting, and Villarreal loses to Atlético Madrid.
5 - Zaragoza win at Getafe, Rayo beats Granada, Málaga draws against Sporting and Villarreal loses against Atlético Madrid.
6 - Zaragoza win at Getafe, Rayo beats Granada, Málaga loses to Sporting, and Villarreal loses to Atlético Madrid.

Thanks to futvillarreal.com!

At this point in the season, there is not a lot to say about Villarreal's current run of form, or that of Atlético. Villarreal could have forgotten about this match a long time ago had they picked up a single point from a number of our recent matches. Last week against Valencia, a dropped point in the final minute of extra time. Two weeks ago, against Osasuna, two points dropped after a goal allowed in the final 18 minutes. The week prior, two points dropped against Real Sociedad when we gave up a goal in the 86th. And the match before that? Two points dropped in the 94th minute against Racing Santander. One of those points dropped, or any other single point from any other match this season, and Villarreal would be coasting into Sunday, without concern, and probably playing a B side. We might have even forgotten to write a preview, it would have been so (relatively) unimportant. But here we are, aiming at fifth place Atlético.

What's worse, Atlético has a ton to play for. Sitting on 53 points, a win, along with a Málaga loss, would put the Madrid B-teamers in the Champions League qualifiers for next season. While it would be remarkably pathetic for a team to find the Champions League with only 56 points, I am sure they will take it without a second thought. As would I.

In addition to Atlético's recent domination of Bilbao in the championship of the Europa League, they have been playing well in La Liga. Three wins and two draws in the last five matches (a solid 11 points) have given them this opportunity to take a potshot at the Champions League.

We do not yet have Villarreal's squad, but except for Giuseppe Rossi, I believe that the squad is healthy. Jonathan de Guzman caught his fifth yellow last week, so Villarreal will not have him in the reserves for the match. Everyone else (I believe) is clear with regard to discipline. We will update the preview with the squad once we have it but my projected 4-2-3-1 looks like this:

Diego Lopez
Juame Costa - Cristian Zapata - Mateo Musacchio - Mario
Marcos Senna - Bruno Soriano
Cani - Borja Valero - Hernan Perez
Marco Ruben

Sid, Allen and Ravi previewing the game on the pod

Download this episode (right click and save)

If you want to watch the match in the States, your best bet is to find it on RojaDirecta or to watch it on DirecTV (Sidarth, might you be able to confirm the channel that the match will be on?). If you want to hold off until 8pm Eastern, you could catch a premiere of the match on GolTV, but I can promise you I would rather watch a halting, scratchy copy of the match streaming online than have to wait an extra six hours to catch the result!

One point. That's all it takes. Endavant Submarino. #yocreo.

Sporting 2-3 Villarreal: Almost There

siempre_riquelme — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:41:07 -0000

What a win for the Yellow Submarine. After a season of suffering, we are almost there. Salvation is a Levante win tomorrow away, or (at most) a victory in one of our final two matches.

Lineups:

For Villarreal, Carlos Marchena replaced Rubén Cani as the only change in Miguel Ángel Lotina's starting XI. So the dreaded trivote was back, this time in the most crucial match (arguably) in club history. Good thing it worked out.

For Sporting, star striker David Barral continued his disciplinary absence from the side, and Javier Clemente started in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, depending on who you ask. Colunga, Sangoy, and Trejo are all strikers, but 'midfielders' Lora and Gálvez are actually defenders. Go figure.

First Half:

El Molinón was sold out for this encounter, with the home fans believing in a miracle after three wins in four. Villarreal had posted only one win in six, though that stretch featured but one loss. A #Lotinazo was well within reach.

And the Yellow Submarine started brightly, though I missed the opener. Even if I had been watching, I may not have believed Mario Gaspar's striker-like finish. I could have sworn it was Marco Ruben. Textbook.

Borja Valero pried open the Sporting defense (as he would time and again) and sprung Bruno Soriano, who failed to beat rojiblanco keeper Juan Pablo one-on-one. But the rebound came back to our man from Artana, and he waited patiently for an oncoming attacker. And lo and behold, Mario arrived in the area, Bruno picked him out, and our right back crashed in a sliding finish. Give credit to Mario: after sitting for months, he has performed admirably under Lotina and arguably has surpassed Ángel López on the depth chart.

0-1 19' Mario

Lots of fouls and feistiness followed, with the Sporting players being roared on by a boisterous (and eventually rabid) home following. Cristián Zapata took up wrestling with the rojiblanco strikers, while Hernán Pérez (brilliant on the night) and Botía entered the referee's book.

Out of nothing, Lora leveled the score with a seeing-eye shot from a distance outside the box. The strike wormed its way through a few yellow shirts, then beat Diego López low at his far post. Perhaps López should have had it, but his consistency this year earns him a pass in my book.

1-1 39' Lora

Or maybe my leniency stems from subsequent events. Ruben continued to battle up front, and a loose clearance by Damián sent our physical Argentine striker in on the Sporting goal. Juan Pablo had a good angle on a potential shot, but rojiblanco center back Gregory decided to lunge at the ball. Big mistake.

Ruben was hacked down, the referee awarded the penalty (and a yellow card to Gregory), and up stepped Marcos Senna. He's had issues with penalties in the past, but my mother noted how calm he looked as he approached the spot. Juan Pablo stayed home, Senna picked a low corner, and the Submarine was back on top.

1-2 43' Senna (pen.)

A huge boost for an emotionally fragile Villarreal side, and the Sporting players marched dejectedly into the locker room. But there were 45 minutes left, and the home side was bound to come out firing in the second half.

Half Time: 1-2

The teams traded chances in the opening few minutes of the second half, much more to Sporting's liking (needing a victory) than Lotina's. Then Borja and Hernán combined to put the match out of reach (or so we thought). First Senna picked out Borja in space down the left, then our #20 beat his defender into the box. He waited for the late-arriving Paraguayan, who scuffed the chance off Juan Pablo's post. But the Sporting keeper would not be so lucky a minute later.

From a subsequent throw-in, Borja passed to Hernán in traffic. The Paraguayan dynamo split two defenders, created separation from a third, then blasted a left-footed shot off Juan Pablo's same post. But this time the swerve carried the ball into the net, and Villarreal had finally taken a two-goal lead with significant time left in a match. The last occasion? Our 3-0 victory at El Madrigal in the corresponding fixture.

1-3 56' H. Pérez

Needing three goals for a real chance at salvation, Mendy, Bilic, and Andre Castro all came on for the hosts. But Clemente did not roll the dice until ten minutes remained, taking off center back Botía for the Portuguese midfielder. Ángel and Wakaso Mubarak had replaced Senna and Marchena, respectively, in the trivote, but the match was dire save for Hernán's dynamism. How did he rot on the bench for so long?

Sadly, after nearly 85 minutes of good Zapata, the bad Zapata reared its ugly head. A misplaced header on the edge of the box went straight to Gálvez, who made no mistake with the opportunity. The third goal by a 'defender' on the night, a lifeline for Sporting, and El Molinón was alive once again.

2-3 85' Gálvez

Sangoy immediately had a chance, but he was ruled offside, and López made the save anyhow. But Clemente was tossed by the referee, and the stream of debris directed at Villarreal players intensified. Gonzalo Rodríguez replaced my MOTM Hernán in 89', which ordinarily would have been close to the end of the match.

But Borja went to take a corner after Ruben nearly scored Villarreal's fourth, and El Molinón lost control. Whether out of anger at perceived time-wasting (Gonzalo was booked for it in 90'+6) or frustration at sitting on the edge of the precipice, paper, bottles, cans, and even a lighter descended onto the pitch. Something similar must have occurred near the Villarreal bench, as César Sánchez (he gets a mention!) was sent off for expressing his ire at the fans.

After over seven additional minutes, the referee blew for time, and the Villarreal players celebrated like they had won the league. Borja in particular was exuberant. Spare a thought for virtually relegated Sporting: Lora was in tears, and Bruno notably went over to console him. A classy finish to a riveting game. From a competitive standpoint, at least.

Full Time: 2-3

But there may still be work to be done, notes Lotina. Let's hope Levante can defeat Zaragoza tomorrow at La Romareda and allow us to relax for the final two jornadas. Considering how the year has gone, however, I don't think it's likely. Expect to need at least a result either away to Valencia or at home against Atlético Madrid.

But for now, we rejoice. Endavant Villarreal!

FC Barcelona News: 2 May 2012; Barca Prepare For Malaga, Villarreal Take Huge Step Towards Survival

Arron Duckling — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:27:01 -0000

FC Barcelona - Málaga, 05/02/2012 | FC Barcelona

The Camp Nou prepares for the penultimate home game of the season, in which Barça entertain fourth placed Malaga in a fixture that will provide perfect preparation for the Copa del Rey Final on the 23rd against Athletic Bilbao. All three games between now and that trip to the Vicente Calderón are against top level sides: Malaga, Espanyol and Betis. Although FCB’s hopes of winning the Liga title are extremely slim, they would still love to see out the season with nine points out of nine in order to go to the cup final with their morale on a high, and at the same time break their record for goals in a single season, which is currently the 105 scored in the 2008/09 season.

Guardiola: "The transition has been impeccable" | FC Barcelona

After last week’s announcement that Tito Vilanova will take over the Barça helm next season, Guardiola said: "my relationship with him hasn’t changed at all. We’re following our usual process and I’m by his side. I want Tito to know that I’ll be close to him." At the same time, the manager said he’s worn down because of "the day to day [work] with the team, winning so many titles." On his farewell at the Camp Nou - Barça’s next two games will be at home- Guardiola said: "I’ve always believed that things should be done naturally, that’s how we’ll do it."

Cruyff: Guardiola was right to quit - RTÉ Sport

When asked whether he agreed with the 41-year-old's choice to leave, Cruyff a former Barca boss said: "I think it's good because it is a consuming task. Work has been done extremely well and it takes strength to continue, especially in a very difficult time because there are changes. Everyone lives as he likes and Guardiola has taken this decision after a lengthy period and now takes a rest and I think it's well deserved," added the Dutchman.

Pep Guardiola leaving Barcelona changes nothing, says José Mourinho | Football | guardian.co.uk

"It's his, he is the one who knows, he is the one who knows why, he is one who has to comment on it, he is the one who has to do what makes him happiest at any given time. "I have been a coach for 12 years and for me I will be annoyed in June when I don't have any matches as I will miss training and playing, playing and training. But everyone is the way they are and you have to respect and accept that and hope that they really do find enjoyment because the most important thing in life is to enjoy it. If for him enjoying life means withdrawing from football for a while then so be it and I send him a hug."

Cazorla: Barcelona are still the best team in the world - Goal.com

"We expect a tough match. Barca are the best footballing team around. We have to play a great game if we are to score and we have the example of what happened at the Santiago Bernabeu [1-1 draw] where we stood up to a big side," Cazorla told reporters at a press conference.

Barcelona plot summer swoop for Athletic Bilbao's Llorente - report - Goal.com

The paper claims that Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has already given the bid to bring Llorente to Camp Nou the green light, with the Catalans attempting to exercise as much discretion as possible in the hope of beating several Premier League clubs, as well as Liga rivals Real Madrid to the punch.

AFP: Villarreal, Granada almost safe after crucial wins

Villarreal took a huge step to securing their position in La Liga on Tuesday with a 3-2 away victory over relegation rivals Sporting Gijon. Full-back Mario Gaspar put the away team ahead on 19 minutes only for Alberto Lora to level 20 minutes later. The all important third goal came from the penalty spot when Marcos Senna put Villarreal ahead just before half-time after Sporting defender Gregory Arnolin had inexplicably brought down Marco Ruben. Hernan Perez added a third on 56 minutes and although Alejandro Galvez gave the home team some hope with five minutes remaining, it was Villarreal who deservedly took the crucial three points.

Real Madrid want me, confirms Werder Bremen goalkeeper Wiese - Goal.com

"If such a story comes into circulation, there is usually some truth in it," the 30-year-old told Syke. "There is contact between Real and my agent." Wiese hinted that while nothing has been finalised, he is likely to end up rejecting the advances of Hoffenheim in favour of a move abroad. "The international option appeals to me, of course, as those [La Liga and Serie A] are great leagues," he confessed.

Fulham and Newcastle chase former Real Madrid striker Raul | Mail Online

Newcastle and Fulham are pondering a summer swoop for legendary striker Raul, according to reports in Spain. The former Real Madrid star wants a fresh challenge after a successful career in Spain and Germany.

Toshack's Madrid XI | Sky Sports | Shows | Revista De La Liga

Toshack led Los Blancos to the La Liga title 12 years ago and compared his team to Jose Mourinho's table-topping XI, who will break the league's points record if they win all their remaining games this season. "Although there would be seven players from that side 22 years ago and only four from this current side, that is just a personal opinion and I think the side that I had were a lot more experienced than the one that Mourinho has now."

Villarreal 1-1 Osasuna: The Story Remains the Same

siempre_riquelme — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:08:23 -0000

I could just re-post my summary of last Sunday's match away to Real Sociedad. But like the team, we all have our duties. And so you shall hear the tale of Villarreal 1-1 Osasuna.

Lineups:

Jaume Costa entered the Villarreal starting XI at left back, while Rubén Cani effectively took Nilmar's place. Borja Valero moved up front to pair (nominally) with Marco Ruben. A bit of a surprise that Miguel Ángel Lotina opted for a lone frontman at home, but Borja has succeeded as a second striker.

Osasuna played Nino (ex-Tenerife) and Ibrahima (ex-Atlético Madrid) up front, with Raúl García (also ex-Atlético) returning to the lineup. Unfortunately for us.

First Half:

The opening minutes were a bit cagey, but Villarreal generally started on the front foot. It was a more open match than we have come to expect under Lotina, and the chances started to reflect that on the half-hour. Bruno Soriano's cross struck the bar from a fortuitous deflection, but more clear-cut opportunities were soon to come.

First Villarreal unlocked the Osasuna defense with a sweeping move, ending up on Costa's boot down the left. Ruben met a dangerous cross, but his sliding touch at an empty net hit the post. At the other end, Iranian international Javad Nekounam also found iron. A let-off for both sides.

Then came the Villarreal goal. Another good buildup found Marcos Senna in a pocket of space on the edge of the box. His shot was parried by Andrés Fernández, but the rebound squirted between two Osasuna defenders and to the oncoming Bruno on the left side of the box. Our man from Artana took his time, picked out the top corner, and left the Osasuna keeper with no chance. 1-0 on the stroke of halftime.

1-0 44' Bruno

Half Time: 1-0

Villarreal turned it up to start the second half. Lotina's halftime speech was particularly well-received by Borja, who spurned at least three chances in the fifteen minutes after the restart. Fernández made a couple of saves, including from a one-on-one. The alarm bells were ringing at El Madrigal.

Osasuna made two changes, bringing on Lekic (remember him, Barcelona fans?) and Timor to try and liven up a stagnant attack. And Wakaso Mubarak (remember him, Villarreal fans?) replaced Cani in 70' to a warm ovation. Waka was his usual self: over-hitting crosses, running through an Osasuna player (and deservedly earning a yellow card), and generally providing energy. Good to see.

But the rojillos' danger man had been on the pitch from the start. Out of absolutely nothing, Raúl García leveled the match with under twenty minutes left. A great half-volley from the edge of the box hit side netting, with Diego López diving only for the cameras. Bruno gave García a bit of space, and the ex-colchonero made us pay for his tenth goal of the season.

1-1 72' R. García

The life was sucked out of El Madrigal (and a sleepy Sr. Roig). Hernán Pérez continued to threaten on the wing, but the Paraguayan's crosses left a lot to be desired. Part of that was the lack of a second target in the box. Nilmar replaced Hernán with seven minutes left, but the Brazilian striker hardly saw the ball.

Lotina ate his final substitution in lieu of bringing on Alejandro Martinuccio. Why? I'll never know. Wakaso blasted a free kick over everyone, Cristián Zapata fouled when heading over, and the referee blew the whistle for full time.

Full Time: 1-1

Another week, another disappointing result. But a point is a point, and Villarreal is still one full game above the drop zone. Let's hope for Zaragoza to lose tomorrow. Then if we win at Sporting, we will be safe for another year. But that's quite a few maybes. Endavant Villarreal!

Another Chance Wasted: Real Sociedad 1-1 Villarreal

siempre_riquelme — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:25:40 -0000

Villarreal blew yet another late lead, this time at Anoeta in San Sebastián, and conceded a 1-1 draw to Real Sociedad in the early Sunday time slot. Marcos Senna continued his revival with a well-taken goal on the stroke of halftime, and Carlos Vela leveled with his eleventh goal of the season four minutes from time. A strong hint of offside, but a brilliant chilena by the in-form Mexican winger. A fair result in the end.

Lineups:

Mario Gaspar and Marco Ruben returned to the starting XI after injury layoffs, while Jonathan de Guzmán was a surprise starter in midfield. Thankfully Hernán Pérez continued in the side, leaving no room for Rubén Cani and Ángel López.

For La Real, under-fire French manager Philippe Montanier omitted his countryman Antoine Griezmann from the starting XI, opting for the more defensive-minded David Zurutuza. As a result, Imanol Agirretxe was a bit isolated up front in the opening hour.

First Half:

I missed the first half, I fully admit. But from a quick scan of the DVR and the play-by-play from Marca and maddi, I have a gist of what happened.

The first half-hour was relatively dour, with both sides feeling the pressures of a relegation battle. With no Griezmann on the opposite wing, Vela was relatively contained, and Xabi Prieto naturally drifted into his central midfield playmaking role. So Mario and José Manuel Catalá had a relatively easy time.

The match picked up as halftime approached. Prieto nearly gave the hosts the lead in 35', striking the post after beating Mateo Musacchio. Iron kind to Diego López, and the Yellow Submarine breathed a sigh of relief.

Then Senna continued his revival and tallied what looked to be the game-winner in 42'. Ruben held up the ball well on a couple of occasions, allowing Borja Valero and then Catalá to come forward. Our left back put in a cross aimed at lone target Ruben, but the ball squirted free to Senna at the top of the box. Senna made no mistake, placing the ball past Chilean international keeper Claudio Bravo.

42': 0-1 Senna

And so we went to the break. Montanier heard whistles, while Villarreal was forty-five minutes from salvation.

Half Time: 0-1

The second half was a different story, probably because I woke up. La Real was on the front foot for most of it, but first Ruben, then Cani, had clear-cut chances to end the match. Both came in the opening fifteen minutes.

Borja put Ruben in alone in 52', but Bravo made a kick save and a beauty. We've seen that far too often this season.

Cani's chance was arguably better in 61'. Hernán the Paraguayan dynamo changed speeds to beat defenders down the right, then played an inch-perfect cross to Cani, who had just replaced de Guzmán (Miguel Ángel Lotina's first change). Just a touch was required, and not at a comfortable height for the keeper. But Cani found Bravo's hand when scoring would have been easier.

Two huge let-offs, and the Yellow Submarine eventually paid for its wastefulness. Griezmann, Rubén Pardo, and Joseba Llorente (hi!) came on for the txuri-urdin, but we were still in control with ten minutes left. Then Lotina brought on Ángel for Hernán, arguably our best player, and the formation collapsed.

La Real then came in waves, and our midfield's fatigue was apparent. After all, our youngest legs had been taken off. And Ruben offered little after 80' of battling center backs. So Griezmann took center stage.

The 21-year-old Frenchman whipped in a cross from the left, finding a blue-and-white jersey in the box. The nod-on reached Vela, who had obtained some separation from his marker. Was he offside? I thought so. But the Mexican international finished with aplomb, acrobatically denying Villarreal salvation.

86': 1-1 Vela

Arguably another tactical mistake by Lotina, but I can't imagine the manager told Ángel to play as a second left midfielder. So there's blame on all involved. We've seen this story before.

The cherry on top was an apparent hamstring injury to Borja. We desperately need him for the next two matches: home to Osasuna and at Sporting. Let's hope it's just fatigue.

Carlos Marchena replaced Borja, and thankfully the match petered out. Llorente looked for fouls as always, but Cristián Zapata had him under wraps.

Full Time: 1-1

An away draw is not a bad result. But it's another chance wasted to secure survival. Six points ahead, twelve points left. Two huge matches upcoming. We can do this. Endavant Villarreal!