Villarreal could not make their league dominance count in a scoreless draw with Real Sociedad over the weekend.
Bruno hit the bar for the home side in a game that will not live long in the memory for either side’s supporters.
The first-half was all about missed opportunities and outstanding goalkeeping. The visitors had the chance early to take the lead off a corner, but Aritz Elustondo headed wide.
Roberto Soldado could have put Sociedad in front, if it were not for a quick stop from Geronimo Rulli in between the goal. The same could be said of Zurutuza though, as he was denied only by a sliding Sergio Asenjo.
Bruno had the best chance of the early stages with his free-kick hitting the crossbar from just outside of the area, as neither side could break the deadlock.
The second-half began the same, but as tiredness set in the game began to open up.
Carlos Vela spurned a golden opportunity to gain the lead following a misplaced pass from Eric Bailly. Vela intercepted and drove at Asenjo, but the Villarreal glovesman stayed big and on his feet as the Mexican international tried to chip the Spanish international.
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Formations
Marcelino made four changes from the side that lost at Real Madrid midweek with Victor Ruiz retaking his place in the heart of defence, Sami Castillejo and Tomas Pina were reinstated to midfield and Roberto Soldado returned to partner Cedric Bakambu up top.
Villarreal XI (4-4-2): Asenjo (GK); Rukavina, Bailly, Ruiz, Mario; Castillejo, Bruno, Pina, Suarez; Bakambu, Soldado
Eusebio Sacristan made five personal changes, as well as a handful of positional changes from the side that were defeated by Getafe in midweek. Zurutuza was pushed forward into more of an attacking role, as was Diego Reyes who moved into midfield.
Real Sociedad XI (4-3-3): Rulli (GK); Yuri, Martinez, Elustondo, Zaldua; Bergara, Reyes, Illaramendi; Zurutuza; Vela; Oiarzabal
Sitting deep to invite pressure
Villarreal’s back line spent most of their evening deep in their own-half with Sociedad’s forwards in front of them. The away side struggled to break down the deep lying defenders and rarely caused Asenjo any problems.
Even Mario and Antonio Rukavina on the flanks stayed back to protect their goal from the threat of the La Real’s wingers. Usually in all action moving forward, Villarreal’s wing-backs spent most of their time carefully watching over the play.
While this meant limiting Sociedad’s opportunities, it did also harm their own chances moving forward. Neither fullback had a successful game ard and thus their side failed to penetrate their opponents.
Everything Through Illarramendi
Asier Illarramendi was the heart that made Real Sociedad beat.
Everything that his side did successfully started with, or involved, his influence on the ball. Illarramendi attempted more passes than almost everyone on the pitch with 83% and only Elustondo had a higher percentage than him at 88%.
A stand out performance from the middle of midfield will only heighten his stocks in San Sebastian, as the former Real Madrid man was one of the best players on the park.
When his side needed someone to conjure up a pass he was there, when his side needed someone to get the ball to he was almost always available. Had his forwards had more of a killer instinct, they could have very well taken the points away from El Madrigal.
Villarreal Look To Break With Pace
The home side sat so deep they were looking to break down La Real’s defence through the blistering pace of forward Cedric Bakambu and winger Samu Castillejo.
Though not an uncommon tactic for the Yellow Submarine, this time the pair very rarely had the support that so often surrounded them this campaign.
Thus the two were left to conjure magic of their own and left a lot to be desired.
Castillejo has struggled to settle since his move from Malaga and once again looked one of Villarreal’s poorest players. His first touch let him down on numerous occasions and his ability to make something out of nothing just is not there quite yet.
On the flip side though, Bakambu has been one of the finds of the season in La Liga and leads Villarreal’s goal scoring charts. Unfortuantly for the Congolese international, he was well marshalled by the Sociedad back line and could not affect the scorer’s charts.
For all of Soldado’s bullying against defenders and Denis Suarez’ quick feet, it seemed like the game plan was to get the ball to either speedster and let them do the rest.
Conclusion
With a draw earlier in the day for Athletic Bilbao, only one point for Villarreal is not something that will bother Marcelino too much. His side maintain their six point gap on fifth place in the quest for a Champions League birth and will see this match as another one down meaning one fewer until those riches are confirmed.
For Real Sociedad, they have been left with little to play for at the end of the season. Not close enough to fight for Europe and not battling relegation, their minds will be on the end of season getaway. Another match down, another closer to the holidays.
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