Manu Trigueros scored, but Villarreal had to decide in the second leg

Quique Setién’s Villarreal could not get past Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Lotto Park against Anderlecht in the first leg of the Conference League round of 16. Despite the dominance of the ‘groguets’ in the first half, where they advanced thanks to a goal from their captain Manu Trigueros, Anderlecht leveled in the second through Anders Dreyer. The outcome, at the La Cerámica stadium on March 16.

The team coached by Brian Riemer started this first attack with more energy and the referee disallowed the goal for offside in the 5th minute. However, Villarreal went further and took control of the match.

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Setién’s team, 6th in the LaLiga table and 2020-21 Europa League champions, managed to go ahead in the 28th minute thanks to a goal from Manu Trigueros, who took advantage of a good pass from Samuel Chukwueze. Trigueros beat Bart Verbruggen, Anderlecht goalkeeper, with a volley. On the strength of his goal, Villarreal continued to dominate the match.

Before Manu Trigueros’ goal, Benito Raman had a good chance to put Anderlecht ahead on the scoreboard, but Pepe Reina, goalkeeper of Villarreal, avoided the goal of the Belgians with great intervention.

Despite their control of the game, the Yellow Submarine failed to extend their lead and instead in the 57′ Anders Dreyers, who arrived at Anderlecht in the winter transfer window, leveled the score taking advantage of the ball sent by Francis Amuzu.

The 1-1 left Villarreal without dominance for a stretch of this first leg. Anderlecht had a chance. But Setién’s men managed to turn another gear in the final period, although it was not enough to decide the game in their favor. The decision, on March 16 at the Estadio de la Cerámica.