The Castellón side began their European campaign with a tough start, losing 2-0 to Panathinaikos in Greece.
Villarreal’s continental journey opened on a Thursday in Athens, where a new era under Pacheta began with an away defeat on the opening matchday of the Europa League group stage. The Yellow Submarine had just celebrated a dramatic domestic win, but on the ground of a historic opponent the team could not translate that momentum into a positive result. Ioannidis opened the scoring and Šporar added a second as Panathinaikos stepped ahead in both halves.
THE PANATHINAIKOS VS. VILLARREAL, MINUTE BY MINUTE, YOU HAVE IT HERE
Panathinaikos secured a solid 2-0 victory over Villarreal, with Fotis Ioannidis and Andraz Sporar finding the net in each half to seal the win for the hosts. Villarreal looked short of their best in their European debut, lacking a cutting edge in the final third and failing to convert possession into meaningful chances. The Greek side grew into the game and gradually asserted control, maintaining pressure and dominance as the match wore on.
Villarreal now awaits the upcoming fixtures to regain confidence, with matches against Rennes on October 5 and Maccabi Haifa on October 26 looming. In the other Group F fixture, Rennes defeated Maccabi Haifa 3-0, placing themselves at the summit of the group standings.
The live and instant online summary of Panathinaikos vs. Villarreal, Europa League 2023-2024: videos, plays, goals and controversies
95′ End of the match.
86′ Panathinaikos asserted control, denying space for Villarreal to operate from Castellón’s perspective.
83′ The 2-0 scoreline seemed to energize Panathinaikos, with more attackers joining the effort.
78′ GOAL! Andraz Sporar doubles Panathinaikos’ lead from a free shot at the front of the box, beating Reina and exposing a lapse in the Villarreal defense.
75′ Villarreal’s attacking play remains cautious, with few threatening moments near Alberto Brignoli’s goal.
69′ Panathinaikos reinforces the midfield to curb Villarreal’s momentum. The Greek side stays compact and refuses to give more space.
61′ Villarreal makes three changes: Comesaña exits, Parejo enters; Moreno comes on for Trigueros; Sorloth replaces Ben Brereton in the Chilean’s spot as the substitution pattern continues.
52′ Villarreal starts to show more intent. A fresh tactical approach from Pacheta’s staff appears to have sparked renewed danger in attack.
51′ Villarreal push forward with ambition, building play through the wings and through a direct game plan led by Yeremy Pino and Morales as focal points in attacking transitions.
fifty’ Aïssa Mandi makes a crucial block to cut out Ioannidis’s run, preventing a clear shot on goal.
Four five’ THE SECOND HALF BEGINS IN ATHENS!
Rest at the Olympic Stadium. Panathinaikos took the lead through a precise through ball from Giannis Kotsiras, with Ioannidis finishing confidently to the far post past Reina. The result unsettled Villarreal, who had looked in control defensively until that moment. Morales briefly threatened with a shot that narrowly missed the far post, underscoring the visitors’ lack of clinical finishing when it mattered most. A single Villarreal effort, from Morales, hit the right post but did not level the score. With limited space on the flanks, the Yellow Submarine sought to develop play centrally, with Denis Suárez heavily involved before an injury forced him off and Yeremy entered the fray.
45′ + 1′ End of the first half in Athens.
39′ Villarreal showed defensive control for extended periods, but Ioannidis’s injury absence after the break provided a catalyst for Panathinaikos to grow stronger as the minutes advanced.
38′ GOAL! Fotis Ioannidis converts in a composed finish after a neat run into the box, giving Panathinaikos the lead and signaling a tough uphill task for Villarreal.
35′ Reina denies a promising chance with a save that was chalked off for offside, leaving room for a potential buildup in the middle and a chance for Sebasit n Palacios in the area.
30′ Villarreal makes the first substitution, Yeremy Pino coming on to replace Denis Suárez, who left the field due to discomfort.
23′ Pacheta’s team reflects on the challenge as this marks Burgos’s first foray into European competitions, underscoring the learning curve on the continental stage.
21′ Another Greek attack leads to a foul in the box, Ioannidis’s extension ending with the ball sailing over the crossbar as the danger items stack against Villarreal.
20′ A dangerous moment for Panathinaikos as Mancini strikes from a diagonal angle, testing Reina from a tight angle near the right post.
17′ A clear Villarreal opportunity as Morales cuts in with a right-footed shot that narrowly misses the target.
14′ The game settles into a cautious rhythm as both teams search for an opening, with a header from Bart Schenkeveld near the goal line the closest moment of the early phase.
8′ Schenkeveld heads a corner into the air and creates a meaningful early chance for Villarreal, signaling the visitors’ intent from the outset.
1′ Villarreal starts with a four-man midfield line, Trigueros pushing forward on the left, Morales and Brereton Diaz forming a dynamic duo up front.
THE MATCH BEGINS! PANATHINAIKOS AND VILLARREAL ARE UNDERWAY.
VILLARREAL’S DRESSING ROOM
THE ARRIVAL OF VILLARREAL
PANATHINAIKOS LINEUP: Brignoli, Mladenovic, Magnusson, Schenkeveld, Kotsiras, Gnezda Cerin, Perez, Mancini, Bernard, Palacios and Ioannidis start for the hosts.
VILLARREAL LINEUP: Reina, Pedraza, Gabbia, Mandi, Femenia, Trigueros, Comesaña, Capoue, Suárez, Brereton Diaz and Morales line up for Villarreal.