{“title”:”Villarreal Fight to Weave Through Europa Night Drama”}

The strength of a football team is not measured by the size of its budget, the name it carries, or the quality of its players alone. A team proves itself on the field against any opponent, at any time, whether the match is played midweek or in a UEFA competition that doesn’t attract the spotlight. If effort is missing, the fans and the result will expose it—no doubt about it.

That is the exact line of thought as Lech Poznań nearly left Valencia with a result against Villarreal CF. They stood on the brink of earning a point at Ciutat de València. The real threat was that the visitors could have inflicted a surprise defeat in the opening matchday of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage.

The 4-3 scoreline only hints at the fragility shown by the hosts. A momentary lapse, with Polish players and supporters already savoring a valuable away performance, was salvaged by a brilliant intervention from outside the area, and the game swung away from an embarrassing draw or loss.

Villarreal appeared vastly superior, excelling in every department. They boast one of the league’s higher budgets, have a top-tier coach, and a wave of players who recently lifted the Europa League trophy and advanced to the Champions League semifinals. Yet in football, dominance means nothing if one does not put in the running, because relentless pace can turn the game in an instant, and intensity is a creed that travels with a team from the locker room onto the pitch in Ciutat de València.

Hammer and doubts

In theory, Lech Poznań is regarded as the trickiest opponent in Group C of this Conference League, yet once Villarreal pressurize them, Poznań’s disciplined defense can crack under sustained pressure. The Polish side can be stretched, and the game dynamics shift quickly when the yellow wall presses high.

The Polish side lined up with players who are not regular La Liga starters but are considered capable of competing in this continental tournament, shaping a test for Villarreal’s defense.

The home side briefly welcomed trouble when Reina went down injured, opening the door for the young Jörgensen in goal. In the previous round against Hajduk Split, Mandi and Cuenca started as central defenders; the midfield was anchored by Coquelin and Morlanes, while the attack featured Álex Baena, Samu Chukwueze, and Morales. The youngster De la Fuente operated on the right, with Mojica on the left and Manu Trigueros reappearing after a longstanding injury, a veteran who had become a symbol of the team’s resilience with the most appearances in Submarine colors.

On paper, Villarreal’s eleven could defeat Lech Poznań without issue, but the visitors sparked optimism early on. In the opening minute, De la Fuente mishandled the ball, and Sweden’s Ishak seized the moment to feed Skoras, who opened the scoring in the second minute. Seeing is believing, as the saying goes.

The early blow rattled Dela, the goalkeeper Jörgensen, and the central défense, who found themselves overrun by the visiting wingers and a lack of cohesion in defense.

Progressively, the tempo of play was slow and predictable, as the first half unfolded with a cautious Submarine attempting to impose itself before the break.

Sweet awakening

Nobody expected a turnaround, not even Emery, until a clever pass from Trigueros found Mojica on the left, finishing with a superb goal that levelled the score to 1-1 in the 32nd minute. The goal shifted the momentum and unsettled the Polish side, who saw their defensive shape crumble as Álex Baena struck twice late in the half, assisted by Morales and Chukwueze, putting Villarreal ahead 3-1 at the interval.

The first goal in the second half should have cemented Villarreal’s control, yet the visitors hit back with renewed energy. A defensive handball by Mandi inside the box earned Lech Poznań a penalty, converted by Isaac to make it 3-2. The tension rose as the game approached its final stages, with Isaac forcing a one-on-one that brought the score to 3-3 by the 61st minute, leaving Villarreal with an uphill battle to regain control.

Emery reacted decisively, removing Kiko Femenía, Parejo, Gerard, and Yeremy and reshaping the attack and wings. Villarreal pressed forward, created chances, and with two minutes remaining, Coquelin found space to fire in, delivering a late winner and curbing any talk of a dramatic upset.

Data sheet

Villarreal CF: Jörgensen; Mandi, Cuenca, Mojica; Coquelin, Morlanes; Chukwueze, Trigueros, Baena; Morales.

Coach: Unai Emery.

Substitutions: Jackson for Trigueros (min. 46); Kiko Femenía, Parejo and Gerard Moreno (min. 63) for De la Fuente, Morlanes and Morañes; Yeremy Pino and Samu Chukwueze (min. 80).

Lech Poznań: Bednarek; Pereira, Dagerstal, Milic, Rebocho; Kvekveskiri, Karlstrom, Murawski; Amaral, Skoras, Isaac.

Coach: John van den Bron.

Changes: Szymczak for Amaral (min. 70); Tsitaishvili and Velde (min. 77) for Isaac and Skoras; Afonso Sousa (min. 89) for Kvekveskiri.

Goals: 0-1 Skoras, 2nd minute. 1-1 Chukwueze, 32nd minute. 2-1 Baena, 36th minute. 3-1 Baena, 40th minute. 3-2 Isaac, 47th minute (penalty). 3-3 Isaac, 61st minute. 4-3 Coquelin, 88th minute.

Referee: Ali Palabiyik (Turkey). Yellow cards: Chukwueze, Mandi, Cuenca, Baena (Villarreal).

Stadium: Valencia City.

Attendance: 10,385 spectators.

The strength of a football team is not merely defined by its budget, its name, or the quality of its players. A team proves its superiority by performing on the field against any opponent, at any moment, whether the match is played during a workday or within a competition that doesn’t capture the public’s imagination. And if commitment is lacking, the crowd will notice and the result will reflect it—there is no hiding from that truth.

That same mindset was on display as Lech Poznań almost forced a draw against Villarreal CF at Ciutat de València. They stood on the cusp of earning a result that would have sent shockwaves through the group—an uncomfortable prospect for the Spanish side on the opening night of the Europa Conference League group stage.

The dramatic scoreline, 4-3, signals more than just goals; it highlights the fragile moments that can shape a match. A moment of inattention, with the Polish players and their fans savoring a potential away point, was rescued by a moment of quality outside the box that altered the game’s trajectory away from a possible stalemate.

Villarreal’s superiority in overall play remained evident. They enjoy a budget that supports global-level competition, boast a distinguished coaching figure, and house a squad with recent European success. Yet the game demonstrated that pace and intensity are non-negotiable in this sport, particularly against teams ready to challenge at any stage of the match.

In football, pressure is constant. When the tempo lowers, the other side pounces. The match at Ciutat de València reinforced the idea that, in European nights, every minute carries weight and every decision can tip the balance.

Hammer and doubts

While Lech Poznań is theoretically the most challenging opponent in Group C, Villarreal showed in the first half that they can force a defensive lapse under pressure, and the Polish side can be steered into hard moments by sharp, coordinated pressing.

Lech Poznań lined up with players who may not be regular La Liga starters but possess the caliber to compete at continental level, ensuring a demanding contest for Villarreal’s backline.

Injuries and tactical choices shaped the night, with Jörgensen stepping in after Reina’s injury, and a familiar lineup in the back four and midfield, while Emery’s rotating attack kept Villarreal dynamic. The squad’s depth and experience were on display as the game wore on.

The opening minutes suggested a difficult night for Villarreal, but a well-worked strike from Mojica after a set-piece return sparked a response that carried the team through the rest of the first half. The second half saw a flurry of goals, a reminder that European football often rewards perseverance and strategic risk-taking.

Ultimately, the late strike from Coquelin sealed the result and underscored Villarreal’s resilience. The match provided a vivid portrait of a team that can ride a storm and still emerge victorious, thanks to composure in attack and a capable defense when required. The encounter will be remembered for its back-and-forth spirit and the late drama that gave Villarreal the win they sought.

Data sheet

Villarreal CF: Jörgensen; Mandi, Cuenca, Mojica; Coquelin, Morlanes; Chukwueze, Trigueros, Baena; Morales.

Coach: Unai Emery.

Substitutions: Jackson for Trigueros (min. 46); Kiko Femenía, Parejo and Gerard Moreno (min. 63) for De la Fuente, Morlanes and Morañes; Yeremy Pino and Samu Chukwueze (min. 80).

Lech Poznań: Bednarek; Pereira, Dagerstal, Milic, Rebocho; Kvekveskiri, Karlstrom, Murawski; Amaral, Skoras, Isaac.

Coach: John van den Bron.

Changes: Szymczak for Amaral (min. 70); Tsitaishvili and Velde (min. 77) for Isaac and Skoras; Afonso Sousa (min. 89) for Kvekveskiri.

Goals: 0-1 Skoras; 1-1 Chukwueze; 2-1 Baena; 3-1 Baena; 3-2 Isaac; 3-3 Isaac; 4-3 Coquelin.

Referee: Ali Palabiyik (Turkey). Yellow cards: Chukwueze, Mandi, Cuenca, Baena (Villarreal).

Stadium: Valencia City.

Attendance: 10,385 spectators.