Getafe welcomed a high-flying Villarreal to the capital and the struggling home side sent the Yellow Submarine back empty-handed after a surprise 2-0 defeat.
Fran Escribá’s men got the game going early with a well worked free kick in the seventh minute. Villarreal set up their defensive line far too deep and Stefan Scepovic got his head to the ball to force a smart save from Alphonse Areola, who clawed the ball off the line.
The visitors would have the next big chance in the 15th minute when a long ball from Jonathon Dos Santos fell to Samu, who broke the offside trap. A first touch took him away from goal, so he squared the ball to Nahuel who should have scored on the volley with the goal gaping but the shot was put wide.
The home side would make the visitors pay in the 21st minute as Angel Lafita struck for the Azulones. Cutting in from the left side, no Villarreal defender would put in a challenge and the 31-year-old would strike on his right foot to put his side in the lead.
On the half-hour, Getafe should have doubled their lead and would have if it were not for a goal saving tackle from Mario. From a corner, the ball fell to Vazquez who went down under pressure but could not swivel his body to force the ball over the line with the Villarreal right-back putting himself between the attacker and the goal to keep his team in the contest.
The second half began and it was the home side that started the stronger and would get their second on 50 minutes. It was created by Lafita who again cut inside Mario and squared the ball past Areola for Vazquez to get an easy tap in.
Villarreal’s woes were compounded just minutes later as Mario would go down with what appeared to be a groin injury leading to the introduction of Antonio Rukavina.
Vazquez should have had his second and his team’s third in the 67th minute as this time it was Sarabia who squared the ball in for the big forward who could only manage to get his studs on the ball and it was scrambled away by the Villarreal defence.
The remainder of the second half petered away as Villarreal could not break down a stubborn Getafe side that fully deserved the three points.
Formations
Getafe boss Escriba made three changes to the XI that drew last time out against Rayo Vallecano. A change in formation as well meant a start for on-loan forward Scepovic, as Alexis and Damian Suarez also returned to the first team.
Getafe XI (4-4-2): Guaita (GK); Lago, Alexis, Cala, Suarez; Lafita, Lacen, Rodriguez, Sarabia; Scepovic, Vazquez.
Injuries to his forwards and a suspension to Roberto Soldado meant Marcelino’s team lacked a designated target man up front with utility midfielder Samuel Garcia filling the void. Another suspension to first choice left-back Jaume Costa gave young Adrian Marin his first start of the season.
Villarreal XI (4-5-1): Areola (GK); Marin, Bailly, Ruiz, Mario; Castillejo, Pina, Dos Santos, Trigueros, Nahuel; Samuel.
Lafita a thorn in Mario’s side
Mario had a torrid afternoon in Madrid as he was constantly threatened and beaten by Lafita. Prior to his substitution with injury, the newly capped Spanish international could be considered at blame for both of the opposition’s goals.
The 24-year-old right-back was unable to stop Lafita from twisting and turning and it was his sharp abilities on the ball that created his side’s chances.
Aside from being given the run around by Lafita, Mario had a poor match by his standards. Only winning one tackle, failing with his two crosses and winning none of his aerial duels all amounts to a bad day at the office.
Marcelino’s worry will be his injury status rather than his poor match but Mario’s new Spanish boss Vincente Del Bosque will be worried about how his new charge was so soundly beaten going into Spain’s Euro 2016 campaign.
Villarreal lacked penetration
With so many injuries and starting without a recognised number nine, Villarreal struggled to break down Getafe and struggled to create many clear cut opportunities.
Samuel cut a forlorn figure up front and the Spaniard was given very little help from his wingers and midfield cohorts. Constantly having to track back to get involved in the play, Samuel will be sweating on the fitness of his team mates as much as his manager.
His passing, which for the most part was on target at 77%, often came away from goal, and at times even in his own half.
Villarreal did have the majority of possession, but lacked the attacking ability to turn it into goals. The main responsibility of going forward was on Manu Trigueros and the young Spaniard performed admirably but could not get his team over the line.
He poked and prodded Getafe from all areas but did not have the help to turn his industrious play into anything more than just that.
Crossing practice a necessity for Villarreal
The Yellow Submarine like to do most of their attacking down the flanks but from this match’s example more work needs to be put in on the training ground for this to be a successful game plan.
None of wingers Castillejo, Nahuel or Suarez once he entered the fray had their best match which can be summed up by a cumulative total of four successful crosses from 22 attempts.
Castillejo was especially poor for Villarreal and Marcelino will need more from him to keep his place in the side.
Getafe Conclusion
The home side can be very proud of their efforts in breaking their four-game winless streak. While they will face tougher tests in the league from squads not depleted by injury and suspension they can hold their heads high knowing they were far the superior team.
Villarreal Conclusion
The Yellow Submarine’s poor away form continues with yet another toothless performance. With the added injury of Mario, Marcelino’s team may be slipping from its early season heights sooner rather than later.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
