Lethal finishing wins the day in Leverkusen
by Allen Dodson on Mar 10, 2011 9:55 PM CET
Email
PrintWhat an evening. At a cool and rainy BayArena in Leverkusen, Villarreal CF took a giant step toward the Europa League quarterfinals, with a Nilmar goal deep in injury time providing a 2-3 victory.
Garrido opted for a very tactical lineup, with Catalá replacing the suspended Capdevila, Wakaso Mubarak and Marchena in midfield with Borja and Bruno, and Ruben partnering Rossi up front. This seemed to succeed for a while, although as the first half wore on, the Yellow Submarine had less time on the ball, and Leverkusen's speed and strength began to put Villarreal to the test. Vidal and Renato Augusto were especially dangerous, but our back four stood firm, and Derdiyok and Sam were less effective than expected.
When Leverkusen did score, it was from an unlikely source. Rossi lost the ball in midfield, and Czech defender Michal Kadlec drilled a low shot past Diego López's outstretched left hand and inside the post. But less than ten minutes later, Wakaso recovered the ball and passed to Marchena, who put Rossi one-on-one with Adler. Rossi looked for all the world as if he was going to shoot with his right foot, but at the last minute, he buried a left-footed shot into the far corner. At halftime, Villarreal could consider itself lucky to be even, and it was pretty clear that Garrido would make some changes.
HT: 1-1
The disappointing Derdiyok came off at halftime, replaced by the giant German striker Kießling. Though Vidal and company controlled possession, the Villarreal defense was happy to concede corners and trap Kießling offside at every opportunity. However, Adler had little to do in the Bayer goal. Ruben essentially was anonymous, Rossi saw two or three defenders every time he had possession, and though Borja provided some excellent passes from midfield, he needed more attacking help than Wakaso and Marchena.
Santi Cazorla was first off the bench, replacing Wakaso on 61 minutes, and Nilmar came on for the exhausted Rossi shortly afterward. And practically from his first touch, the Brazilian striker found the net, controlling the ball beautifully, splitting the defense, and putting the ball past Adler. But while Garrido still was celebrating on the bench, Leverkusen scored from the restart.
Mario Gaspar was at fault, as he seemed confused by the bounce of the ball and failed to clear it, allowing Gonzalo Castro to slam home a shot that eluded two defenders and Diego López's desperate dive. 2-2, and at that point it seemed that Villarreal was reeling, as Leverkusen threatened and the Submarine defense tried to clear its lines without much success. In the last ten minutes of regular time, Leverkusen poured forward, while Villarreal tried to counter without effect. Santi Cazorla nearly put in Borja one-on-one, and Joan Oriol-- who had come on for Ruben-- made a wonderful run down the left flank and turned a defender nicely to create space for a cross, but there was no one in the box.
Four minutes of injury time, and Villarreal fans watched the time pass hoping to hang on to a draw. And then lightning struck: the Villarreal defense broke up a Bayer attack, Santi gathered the ball and made a clinical pass to Nilmar, and the Brazilian did the rest, outrunning a Bayer defender and scoring a beautiful goal between Adler's legs. There barely was time for the restart: the whistle blew, and Villareal had a priceless away win.
FT: 2-3
The statistics bear out the nature of the game. Bayer controlled possession (55%-45%), and Villarreal committed more fouls (8-7) and conceded more corners (11-4). Villarreal only had 4 shots in the entire match, all on goal, and scored on 3 (Wakaso was denied early on from long range); Leverkusen had 14 shots, 9 on target. It was a triumph of quick cut-and-thrust and lethal finishing.
Villarreal goes into the second leg knowing that a draw, or even a 1-2 defeat, will be enough to advance. Leverkusen will be without one of its sparkplugs, the Chilean midfielder Vidal, who will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation, and the German side must be disheartened with the outcome of the first leg.
Garrido got his tactics right and has to be pleased with the efforts of Wakaso and Marchena in midfield and Catalá at left back. Cani did not feature, Santi and Nilmar were on the pitch for less than 30 minutes, and Rossi only played an hour. Well done, boys; now let's take apart Sporting on Sunday. Endavant Villarreal!
30 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Not than anyone cares or that it matters, but the spelling of kiesling’s last name has retained the “sharp s” (ß) a letter in the German alphabet that you find in words like strasse (road) and scheisse (shit). The properway to spell his last name would be Kießling.
by alex on Mar 10, 2011 10:05 PM CET reply actions
That’s what I tried to do and for some reason it didn’t take. I’ll fix it (and the Spanish accents I left out)!!
by Allen on Mar 10, 2011 10:14 PM CET up reply actions
4 shots on goal and 3 in
impressive
ruben didn’t really support rossi, but is a good in tracking and running
could have won 1-2 or 1-3
mario w/big defensive error
by jackson. on Mar 10, 2011 10:19 PM CET reply actions
hopefully that’s better.
I thought Musacchio played really well, Catala did too—the best game I’ve seen him have, though he still kicks the ball into touch for no reason and is good for one rash challenge a game—Borja Valero was great, Marchena (apart from the fact he could’ve had 2 or 3 yellow cards in the first 20 minutes) did very well. I like playing him there too.
Wakaso did reasonably well too—his speed at least provided a threat down the wing. he needs to work on his passing though!!
And Garrido got his tactics spot on. Soak up the pressure, hit them on the break, and bring on fresh legs at the 65-70 minute mark. Well done.
by Allen on Mar 10, 2011 10:22 PM CET reply actions
Good tactics, but a bit fortunate that we were level at the break. That made Garrido’s decisions a lot easier. And can you believe it: early subs made a difference! Though Santi was rather disappointing to me, even in spite of the game-winning pass.
by sidarth on Mar 11, 2011 6:49 PM CET up reply actions
That was a difficult game to watch. Garrido’s tactics may have been right, but it was not a typical Villarreal showing. Still, though, you can’t complain too much when the team scores 3 away goals! Crazy stuff.
by Eskimo Joe on Mar 11, 2011 3:22 AM CET reply actions
w/o Senna Villarreal midfield can be a bit to soft, that’s why Marchena in middle was needed vs strong German team.
I would try Marchena in Liga too, if he has the legs to do it every 3 days.
by Acqua on Mar 11, 2011 4:28 AM CET up reply actions
Finally he plays Marchena in midfield… don’t get why it have taken him so long to put him there. He has a lot of experience and have played that position before, I think it can turn things around for us in the league….
Leverkusen will have to win by 2 in El Madrigal, And thats not going to happen;-)
by Jens the dane.... on Mar 11, 2011 9:41 AM CET reply actions
An excellent away result from the only remaining Spanish team in the Europa League but it hardly warrants a mention on the front page of either Marca or As. See if you can spot the headlines.
http://www.marca.com/multimedia/primeras/11/03/0311.html
(The front page is in the top right hand corner and will enlarge if you hover the mouse over portada.)
by Kenez on Mar 11, 2011 12:14 PM CET reply actions
by damipher on Mar 11, 2011 6:25 PM CET up reply actions
awesome comment…
¿este es el periodico del deporte español? no voy a comprar el marca en 20 siglos seguidos, no teneis ningun respeto por el futbol, ayer se hizo una gran gesta deportiva de un club español y no habeis estado a la altura, España existe y Teruel tambien.
by damipher on Mar 11, 2011 6:41 PM CET up reply actions
good article from Alfredo Relano
http://www.as.com/opinion/articulo/villarreal-gano-alemania/20110311dasdaiopi_2/Tes
by damipher on Mar 11, 2011 6:56 PM CET up reply actions
that’s why liga will never b as big as epl
1) liga is run by morons & most refs r useless
2) main sports media in spain is useless or mouth piece 4 rm or barca
3) tv monies spread is a joke
liga = scotland 2 if things don’t change
by jackson on Mar 11, 2011 6:49 PM CET up reply actions
so now Garrido demands the team to put the stress on Europa? It’s completely two different teams with that in Liga
by Garry on Mar 11, 2011 3:23 PM CET reply actions
Agreed; there’s a bit of confusion as to what the coaching staff wants. If Valencia continues to pull away in third place, that will make some decisions by fiat. But I would expect a full-strength squad on Sunday and then a few more changes on Thursday.
by sidarth on Mar 11, 2011 6:45 PM CET up reply actions
@Allen: I saw the game on DVR last night and nailed the outcome, based on how the match was going. Leverkusen was horribly exposed at the back; all it took were fresh legs to bring that point home.
For all of their “possession”, Leverkusen really struggled in the final third. I can see how they win in the Bundesliga: catching teams out who are not used to ball control. Not a bad side, by any means, but they would have a tough go in La Liga.
by sidarth on Mar 11, 2011 6:48 PM CET reply actions
That’s right. One of the Spanish papers (I think it might have been EPM) had an article before the match that basically said Leverkusen were tall and strong but lacked creativity and were slow at the back, and that is how it was last night. The danger they created in the attacking third came from pace—straight-ahead rushes by players like Castro, but there wasn’t a lot of incisive passing.
Their first goal was well taken—as for the second, yes, Mario was at fault, but I think he basically got caught between two alternatives, dithered and achieves neither of them. Not great, yes, but Leverkusen could probably argue their defender was equally culpable for Nilmar’s second goal—no way should he have allowed Nilmar to turn and go around him like that.
Wakaso offers more defensively than Montero, though he seems to be good for at least one horribly misplaced pass per appearance, doesn’t he?
I’m still confused as to why Wakaso’s shirt didn’t have the sponsor logo on it—a strange screwup. I guess he changed at the half.
by Allen on Mar 11, 2011 7:56 PM CET up reply actions
2nd nayer gol shouldn’t have happen.
mario actually is scared of being hit by da ball & dodges da ball by turning & castro scores
by jackson on Mar 11, 2011 6:51 PM CET reply actions
marchena experience in midfield and pass 4 da 1st goal was the da difference
by jackson on Mar 11, 2011 6:53 PM CET up reply actions
Two more observations:
(1) I am a Jeffrey supporter, granted, but wouldn’t he be the perfect fit for the Wakaso role? I like the Ghanian, but he is only clearly superior to Jeffrey if he plays in the doble pivote. This is exacerbated by the fact that Jeffrey is not playing 90 minutes with Levante. Next season, I hope.
(2) What a brilliant, brilliant goal by Nilmar. First touch to poke the ball away from the defender, the second to cut off his pursuit angle, and the third a slight touch to poke the ball under Adler. Hopefully it’s enough class to win the tie. Welcome back, senhor.
by sidarth on Mar 11, 2011 6:53 PM CET reply actions
nilmar looks good a super sub, more than a 90 " player since his injury
by jackson on Mar 11, 2011 6:55 PM CET up reply actions
And don’t mind the mirror image:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66QJtZiq5yQ
Jeffrey almost scored an absolutely brilliant goal at 4:19. He fell down and beat 3 defenders, only to be denied by Espanyol keeper Kameni. Almost goal-of-the-week material.
by sidarth on Mar 11, 2011 7:04 PM CET up reply actions
wakaso has less experience then montero & it shows, but
montero did nada given da chance, history can’t be revised as much we want 2+
montero never tracked back & didn’t make passes on time.
by jackson on Mar 11, 2011 6:57 PM CET reply actions
i very much doubt garrido will keep montero next season
by jackson on Mar 11, 2011 6:57 PM CET reply actions
Villarreal B take on 2nd placed Celta Vigo in Balaídos tomorrow at 18:00 hours local time.
Squad:
Keepers: Diego Mariño & Segovia.
Defenders: Mano, Dervite, Carlos Tomás, Héctor, Kiko & Jaume Costa.
Midfield: Marcos Gullón, Nico, Natxo Insa, Castellani, Iago Falqué, Marquitos & Hernán Pérez.
Forwards: Airam, Gerard & Nicki Bille.
Game is to be shown on TV Galicia and I would hope Canal Nou Dos as Elche play tonight but their website does not indicate which match is to be shown.
by Kenez on Mar 11, 2011 8:29 PM CET reply actions
I watched the game again last night. Leverkusen really sucked at free kicks and corners, didn’t they. And Sidney Sam did little—when Jorgensen came on they offered more down that side.
I didn’t think Gonzalo had as bad a game as I had first thought. Bruno had an unusually quiet game, and apart from the killer pass at the end, Santi hardly saw the ball in his 30 minutes of play. Borja Valero was omnipresent, always looking to make the incisive pass to set someone free behind their defense.
I would not say the progression to the next round is a formality, but I would have been happy with a 2-2 draw at their place, so getting the one-goal cushion plus three away goals is excellent.
by Allen on Mar 12, 2011 1:21 PM CET reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Villarreal USA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Twitter & Facebook
