Result: Valladolid 1-0 Villarreal (B)

Well, the game finished 1-0 to Valladolid. The only goal was scored by Valladolid defender Nivaldo on a header (29'), and he topped it off with a nice somersault celebration.

But the game really was a tale of two halves. The introduction of Matilla and Montero in the second half livened up the attack, and one could argue that we dominated for 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the first 45 minutes were quite toothless.

The same lack of finishing up front predicated this game, as we had a number of chances in the second half. Our aerial prowess both at the front and back repeatedly was put into question, as their corners were quite effective and ours completely wasted. And the passing could have been a bit more tidy; Joan Oriol was a culprit for numerous turnovers.

I'd like to see the B team play the ball into the box more on the ground and less in the air, as that fits the team's strengths. Finishing and headers are the two areas I hope to see them improve upon; I think the A team's finishing is in good shape with the quality of our resting strikers (Llorente, Nilmar, and Rossi).

On the other side, a nice performance by Marcos Garcia, our former (and hopefully future) cantera product. He almost scored off a chilena (bicycle kick) off a corner, but was denied by the once again impressive Xavi Oliva. The Angolan phenom Manucho (on loan from Manchester United) was also dangerous with his pace and power. Valladolid again will be a tough team to beat at the Zorrilla.