Villarreal draw with Maccabi Haifa and must win in Rennes to be first

Marcelino’s team has rotations in its squad. It lacked the intensity, rhythm and precision of other games. Therefore, he posed almost no danger against the opponent, who became emboldened in the second half and seized the best opportunities for victory.

Villarreal started the match well and took full control of the ball against a very lagging opponent. The local monologue meant numerous arrivals in the area in the first minutes, although they were harmless, apart from Comesaña’s header following a corner kick that went narrowly wide.

Maccabi Haifa took advantage of the lack of precision. villareal Breaking free of possession and stretching, although the biggest danger comes not from their own actions but from the mistakes Reina makes when releasing the ball.

A goal disallowed for offside by Brereton’s assistant Álex Baena cut Villarreal off with the match, and only Ilias Akomach kept the balance with some precious dribbling and passing.

Villarreal was impressed by their opponent’s slow pace in the engine room and posed almost no danger. Beyond a few long shots from Trigueros and Amokach and a high shot from Brereton, there was already stoppage time in the first half, after a great individual move.

After the break, Marcelino had to turn to his striker. José Luis Morales, He replaced Baena, who finished the first half with a physical illness.

However, the first offensive approach was made by Maccabi Haifa after the bad transfer that Pierrot, who had just entered the Reina from Altimira, was about to take advantage of.

Slow and predictable Villarreal only frightened their opponent with Akhomach’s individual exploits. The player who tried his luck with a centered shot into the hands of the goalkeeper of the Israeli team.

Introduction to Pedraza, Coquelin and his play Gerard Moreno Gave Villarreal a more recognizable game Even though the scoring opportunities were yet to come, he helped move the game towards Maccabi Haifa’s half.

With 20 minutes remaining, the clearest goal option was Pierrot, who could not head the ball in a small area from the wing.

Shortly afterwards, and amidst local defensive confusion, it was David who tapped the ball into the goal with a diagonal shot after taking a poor rebound.

Villarreal went on the offensive in the last minutes, strengthening its superiority and had a chance with Coquelin’s shot, which Keouf cleared. But, Maccabi Haifa, on the counter-attack, could have won the match even in stoppage time. With Kandil’s shot, Reina came clean to at least keep her hopes of being first in the group alive.