A Villarreal without a defence lose in ten crazy minutes

Villarreal did not have a defence in Zurich. That is why they squandered, with their continuous failures, the two advantages that they enjoyed. That is why they missed the chance to seal a spot in the knockout phase following a crazy match, with five goals in 10 minutes which prompted kind words for both attacks but made it necessary to review the roles of the centre-backs. That is why they relinquished their leadership of the group (they’re now second). And that extended their run to three consecutive defeats in La Liga and the Europa League, a run which has wiped the smile off the face of the coach and brought the squad down from the clouds.

Marcelino’s team took command from the start with a side featuring nine understudies. However, their exquisite potential in the opposition’s half soon put things in their face. Pina, following a corner taken by Espinosa, scored the first. A chronic substitute, Pina was glowing after returning to be a first-team player. But the joy was short-lived. Juan Carlos gifted the equaliser two minutes later with a false start that emphasised his inactivity.

Villarreal overcame the blow with maturity and in the 24th minute Gerard restored the lead with a great shot that was as powerful as the one he had already struck against the crossbar. Too bad each stroke of success up front was followed by a mistake at the back. Once again the goalkeeper equilibrated a match plagued by errors. A free-kick from distance, taken by Buff, found the head of Djimsiti among the state of general paralysis inside the box. The defender, who barely touched the ball, confounded Juan Carlos, who uselessly stretched too late and ended up pointing out. Marcelino was fuming.

Zurich rose almost in disbelief, they smelled fear, and just three minutes later (29th) returned to take advantage of a slow defence in which Víctor Ruiz always appears in the pictures of the goals conceded. This time the former Valencia and Napoli centre-back arrived late to cut out a cross and Gabriel did the same in the middle. Chikhaoui beat him, and without pity. The Submarine were hit. And they almost collapsed when the referee failed to give a clear penalty for Schonbachler’s incomprehensible grab.

Marcelino tried to make use of his bench after the break as he went in search of solutions, while Zurich restructured their 3-5-2 defence, which complicated things a lot.

Even so, Espinosa, Pina and Rukavina (post) could have equalised. It was not their day. When, at last, the Villarreal defence decided to up their game, the forwards’ levels dipped. Neither Gio, misfed, nor Gerard, tired, nor Vietto, nervous, managed to find a crack in an opponent that was dead and now they dream. Borussia are now the leaders with two matchdays left and Villarreal have dropped down to second. Therefore, nothing is certain. And neither is anything lost. The options to move forward remain intact.

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