Villarreal have failed to secure a win in the run-up to the crucial return game against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. The number seven of LaLiga lost 2-1 against Alavés and sees a qualification for the group stage of the Europa League disappear further from sight. Alavés, the number nineteen, narrowed the gap on the virtually safe number seventeen Cádiz to four points.
In total, trainer Unai Emery made no fewer than eight changes compared to the midweek Champions League match. The reason for Danjuma’s absence was not formally known, but media in Spain think he was given a rest with a view to Tuesday’s return. Only Pau Torres, Dani Parejo and Samuel Chukwueze kept their starting positions. Gerard Moreno, Raúl Albiol, Francis Coquelin, Alberto Moreno and Yeremy Pino were absent due to injuries.
The battered Villarreal fell behind in the fourth minute. A turning corner from former NAC Breda midfielder Manu García was headed backwards by Joselu, after which Victor Laguardia worked the ball into the far post. Although Villarreal apparently came into the game better after half an hour, Alavés made the 2-0 after half an hour. A low cross by Rubén Duarte, from the back line of the penalty area, was appreciated by Gonzalo Escalante.
Shortly after the break, Villarreal found the connection with a nice goal from Chukwueze. The winger entered the penalty area from the right wing, showed several defenders his heels and took a shot with the left leg. Goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco let the tenable ball slip: 2-1. In the closing stages of the game, Villarreal missed a few equalizing opportunities, allowing Alavés to take very important points in the battle against relegation.