Villarreal secures salvation in San Sebastián

Villarreal seems to find its best version away from La Cerámica. The improvement of the last few days had been reflected in a single victory, the one obtained against Barcelona in Montjuïc, to which last night was added another difficult venue such as the Reale Arena. With a double from Comesaña, an exhibition of how to defend being dominated and the icing on the cake from Sorloth, Marcelino's team took the step they were missing to confirm their recovery with a solid victory against Real Sociedad. [Narrative and statistics (1-3)]

In the preview, Marcelino had warned of Real's solidity when it comes to defending set pieces, precisely the great duty of his team.. However, at the Reale Arena the tables were turned, as could be seen in a period of five minutes that changed the script of the match.

Minute 13. La Real kicks in from the corner and Brais Méndez combs back at the near post. The ball makes a parabola and, when it is about to enter, Coquelin appears providentially to clear it. Minute 17. Villarreal kicks from the corner and Albiol, at the far post, heads towards the center of the area, where Comesaña only has to place his head to direct the ball into the net.

Kubo's Perseverance

The disadvantage accentuated the intention of Imanol's team to monopolize the ball and look for the goal, but their extensive dominance failed to transform it into real danger, despite the attempts of a willing Take Kubo. Villarreal was not at all uncomfortable waiting at the back, especially now that Marcelino's men have considerably increased their defensive performance.. All in all, Real had a couple of options to have equalized before the break, in a cross from Javi Galán that Alberto Moreno intercepted when Traoré was already setting up his leg and a free kick from Zakharyan that was poisoned and ended up on the crossbar.

As soon as the second half started, Villarreal extended its lead after taking advantage of its good pressure. Real lost the ball at the start and Álex Baena claimed to be the best assistant in LaLiga by putting a ball into the area that Comesaña finished off again coming from behind.

Marcelino's team was in its element, retreating and coming out dangerously in quick transitions that gave them options to finish off their rival definitively, especially in a good action between Akhomach and Mosquera that ended with the former's shot very close to the post.

too late

Despite having a very difficult game, the San Sebastian team did not give up, insisting again and again led by Kubo, who was joined by some fresh men like Becker and Sadiq in search of a goal that would put them in the game.. Real dominated and arrived, although without success in the last meters against the solid visitor defense.

The goal ended up arriving, but too late, in a long attacking action in which Jörgensen saved the shots of Zubimendi and Becker before Merino scored on the third attempt. With Real going for 2-2, Villarreal showed its danger on the counterattack with a dizzying action culminated by Sorloth to finish off his former team. The Norwegian had to celebrate the goal inside.