Villarreal-Málaga preview

Villarreal are hoping to earn their first victory of the season as they travel to La Rosaleda to take on Málaga.

Villarreal team news:

The good news for the Submarino are the returns of Denis Cheryshev and Jonathan dos Santos. The bad news are that Alexandre Pato is still out and Cédric Bakambu did not recover on time, and Danielle Bonera is also out for an indefinite period of time.

Pato and Bakambu’s absences seriously weaken Villarreal options upfront with Sansone and Borré as the only attacking options, and since Escribá has decided not to call Mario González for the encounter.

Both the diminutive German-born Italian attacker and the Colombian youngster will have to prove their worth against the Boquerón.

Villarreal squad list:

• Goalkeepers: Asenjo and Andrés Fernández.
• Defenders: Rukavina, José Ángel, Mario, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa, Musacchio and Álvaro.
• Midfielders: N’Diaye, Bruno, Trigueros, Soriano, Castillejo, Cheryshev and Rodri.

Strikers: Santos Borré and Sansone.

Málaga team news:

Los Boquerones have full disposition of the match including newly signed Ukrainian GK, and midfielder Ignacio Camacho who end up staying with Málaga after his failed transfer to West Bromwich.

Málaga squad list for the match against Villarreal:

Both managers are urged of earning their first victory. The balance so far for both Escribá and Juande Ramos are two draws with their respective teams.

Málaga drew 1-1 against Osasuna in their home opener, and they managed to earn a 2-2 comeback against Espanyol after trailing 2-0 for over 60 minutes. Álvaro González played the entire match for Los Pericos by the way. That was his last match for Espanyol.

Málaga have employed a 4-2-3-1 formation in their last two games under Juande Ramos, with Camacho and Recio in the double pivot, Jony and Keko on the wings, Juanpi in an attacking midfielder role, and former Barcelona player Sandro Ramírez upfront.

Villarreal should be wary specially of Venezuelan midfielder Juanpi Añor, who’s been in top form for both club and country after scoring in Málaga’s debut and also during the CONMEBOL qualifiers for Venezuela against Argentina. Brazilian striker Charles should also prove to be a menace coming as as sub just as he did during Málaga’s last game after scoring the equalizer against Espanyol.

Possible line ups:

Fran Escribá has claimed Cheryshev is fully fit ready to play from the start. It would be interesting if he decides to give the Russian the chance from the get-go. The inclusion of Chery is a major upgrade in the flanks due to his rapidly fast paced speed on the left wing.

Endavant!