by Villarreal was left without a win in a match that they dominated from start to finish, but in which they lacked depth and offensive talent to unevent the score. Maccabi Haifa also had its chances to win, but failed against Reina.
Marcelino’s unit came out plugged in, although it progressively lost fuel. They were able to get ahead quickly with a couple of chances, but their success failed. Comesaña anticipated at the near post coming out of a corner, but his header narrowly missed the target. Ben Brerton also had his own, and unlike usual, he sent it inside. Of course, it was annulled for offside, something more common.
Villarreal pressed and Maccabi survived as best it could, as in a closed center by Ilias that Kaluf ultimately thwarted him, leaving Baena somewhat dazed after accidentally hitting him with his fists. Little by little the Israelis were stretching and creating danger, especially due to childish errors by the Castellón defense. A bad pass from Reina was about to cost him the goal, but The young Khalaili fell in control before defining.
The adjustments at half-time did not improve Marcelino’s team either, inconsistent in the game and with problems in the defensive zone. The ex-Azulgrana Ilias was the most incisivealways starting from the right inwards, but none of his services found a finisher.
Villarreal couldn’t get ahead on the scoreboard, and Maccabi also had theirs. First with a center from Kandil that Show fell into the goal mouth incomprehensiblyand then with a cross shot by Dean David that was lost licking the right post of Reina’s goal.
Villarreal ended up pushing with more courage than football, but Only Coquelin was able to upset the double zero on the scoreboard with a shot that Pierrot took with his head. With the tie, Marcelino’s men will have to win at the Stade Rennais if they want to be first in the group.
