La Liga – Tactical Analysis – Villarreal 1 Granada 0

La Liga – Tactical Analysis – Villarreal 1 Granada 0

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Villarreal have successfully secured a league double over lowly Granada with a 1-0 win at El Madrigal.

A converted penalty from captain Bruno Soriano was all that separated the two sides in what was a closely fought contest.

Early chances were hard to come by for both teams as the game was locked in a midfield battle. The first chance for both sides would come in the 19th minute when Rochina released Isaac Success whose low effort was parried well by Alphonse Areola.

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Immediately from the save Villarreal would run the ball up to the opposing end of the field where Roberto Soldado would twice be denied by Andres Fernandes in the Granada goal.

Success, who was a constant thorn in the Villarreal defence, should have scored on 24 minutes but put his shot wide under pressure from the onrushing Areola.

Early in the second half came the breakthrough as a cross from deep from Mario was almost met by Soldado who was adjudged to have been infringed and the referee pointed to the spot.

A slight stutter in his step but Bruno made no mistake from 12 yards to put his team into the lead.

The second half petered out with little action as Villarreal would take the points and move level in third place with Real Madrid, who have a game in hand over the Yellow Submarine.

Formations

With Victor Ruiz returning from suspension, Marcelino had the full complement to return to his first choice XI. Ruiz would partner Musacchio in the centre of defence while the width in the team would be provided by the in-form Denis Suarez and Jonathon Dos Santos.

Villarreal XI (4-4-2): Areola; Costa, Musacchio, Ruiz, Mario; Suarez, Bruno, Trigueros, Dos Santos; Soldado, Bakambu

Coach Jose Sandoval made two changes from the side that defeated Getafe on matchday 21 with returns for Biraghi and Ibanez in place of Miguel Lopes and Edgar Mendez. Success, Rochina and Ibanez would be the attacking triumvirate playing behind El-Arabi up top.

Granada XI (4-2-3-1): Fernandes; Biraghi, Lomban, Babin, Foulquier; Perez, Rico; Success, Rochina, Ibanez; El-Arabi

Granada’s pressing nullified Villarreal’s attack

Having conceded the second most amount of goals in the league this season it was surprising to see such successful pressing from the away side.

Constantly stifling Villarreal’s midfield Granada achieved more defensively in this match than they have much of the campaign. As soon as any player from the home side got the ball they were swarmed by defenders in red and white, causing misplaced passes and poor touches.

Their high pressing worked for the majority of the game as they caught the Yellow Submarine attackers offside five times. Granada conceded very few opportunities and only six shots on target throughout and were unlucky to leave the match pointless.

Such hard pressure takes a toll on a side and that was clearly evident as the game went on as the away side began to tire, but they still kept defensive shape and despite both centre backs sitting on a booking they were strong and successful in the tackle.

Success a trouble down the right

Isaac Success was Granada’s best offensive weapon at El Madrigal and if he had a stronger eye for goal would have surely been the difference between the two sides.

Despite missing two glorious opportunities Success constantly caused Jaume Costa headaches as the Spaniard could not keep up with the pace and the directness of the Nigerian.

Success attempted seven take ons and delivered six crosses to go with his two shots, while also providing one interception and two clearances.

He was always the out ball for his team mates as Costa could never get too close to him. The Villarreal left back was cautioned within the first ten minutes for a pull on Success and never quite got the number of the Granada winger who was the real outlet for his side.

Soldado’s movement outweighs his lack of goals

Roberto Soldado was everywhere for Villarreal and while his name hasn’t appeared on the scoresheet in quite some time his manager will feel happy with his overall performances.

When the former Spanish International was brought in to the side it was hoped he would return to the goal scoring days of his time in Valencia and while that hasn’t been the case the 30-year-old has continued to bring something different to the side.


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In order for Marcelino to get the best out of his strike partner Cedric Bakambu he needs Soldado to be making his runs early and dragging defenders and that is exactly what the former Spurs man brings. Constant movement where he never seems to be stationary in combination with his hunger to get the ball all make it easier for those around him to have an effect on the match.

Soldado Heat Map
Soldado Heat Map

Without Soldado’s movement it is likely that Bakambu would not have scored as many goals or Denis Suarez would have put in as good performances. On one occasion with Suarez on the ball it was the run from Soldado that drew the Granada defence aside opening up for a strike on goal by the Spanish Youth International.

Conclusion

Villarreal can be happy with yet another three points but their worrying lack of goals will be a real concern for Marcelino. Although they came away with the win this match may prove to the manager a need to dip into the transfer market to add a new dimension to his side.

Granada are in a world of hurt at the moment and need a swift change in fortune if they are going to avoid the drop. Sitting only two points above the relegation zone and with matches against Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Valencia in their near future it could be a tough time in the mountains of Andulusia.

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