MADRID, 27 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Villarreal came out of its bad dynamics and rejoined the fight for Europe after beating Getafe 2-1 this Monday, which remains in the relegation zone, in the game that closed the twenty-third day of LaLiga Santander 2022-2023.
The Castellón team had four consecutive defeats and despite suffering a lot in the first half due to the good ‘azulón’ approach, they were able to equalize things with a goal on the stroke of half-time that was a hard blow for the visitors, who left empty finally and in a delicate situation.
Quique Sánchez Flores’s team seemed to have the duel well under control. With a very disciplined and orderly approach, he handcuffed Quique Setién’s men, also helped by the early goal from Enes Unal. The Turk perfectly headed a great cross from the right of Djené to make it 0-1 and bring nervousness to the La Cerámica stands.
Villarreal took control, but they lacked ideas to do damage and although they had arrivals in the area, they were not successful with the final pass either. Getafe, comfortable, was also able to warn with danger, especially with Maksimovic who leaned into the area a lot and who enjoyed two good chances, especially a great header that forced a great intervention by Pepe Reina.
That great opportunity was on the edge of the break and when the ‘azulones’ expected to reach the locker room in good spirits, they found the tie. Etienne Capoue shot with power, David Soria repelled, but the ball was ‘dead’ for Chukwueze to push it to relieve the locals and the stands.
And the draw did not go down well with Quique Sánchez Flores’ men, who did not enter the second half well either. The ‘Yellow Submarine’ did not change his script and this time he found the overflow of Chukwueze by his band to give a pass that did find a finisher in the figure of José Luis Morales.
The goal ended up reassuring Quique Setién’s men, who slowed down the game against an opponent who could not find a way to reach Reina’s area with good options. Villarreal did not ‘kill’ the game and gave it excitement until the end, marked by Borja Mayoral’s shot off the crossbar that could have led to the tie.
With this victory, the team from Castellón is seventh in the standings with 34 points, the same as Rayo Vallecano, sixth and eight out of fourth place for Atlético de Madrid, while the man from Madrid is penultimate with 22, two behind salvation that marks Valladolid.