Villarreal lift UEFA Europa League in a nerve jiggling penalty-shootout

By
Shoumik Das
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0

Gdańsk: Villarreal clinched the UEFA Europa League title beating Manchester United in an emphatic final in Gdańsk, Poland on Wednesday (May 26). It was an scene to remembered for the El Submarino Amarillo as goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, held his composure in a nerve jiggling penalty-shootout (11-10) at the Gdańsk after the two sides dragged the game to extra time which ended 1-1 score-line.

The Sapnish side hit the front through Gerard Moreno who reached Dani Parejo’s free kick to slot it past David De Gea in the 29th minute before the Red Devils draw themselves level just the after second half resumed through Edison Cavani who lashed on to loose ball in the box smashing it home.

Unai Emery’s tactical was right on the money neutralizing the space to Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba giving them almost nothing to work with. Besides those two, also other were not quite up-to the mark as Villarreal looked far more compact defensively. Raul Albiol and Juan Foyth were superb throughout the game  with the later showing example of warrior playing the majority of his minutes with bandage on his head and nose.  As the game reached to the shoot-out it was Rulli who became the hero by first converting his kick before saving the decisive one from De Gea to the seal the evening for his side.

The defeat showed mirror to Ole Gunnar Solskaer about making changes to his squad ahead of the upcoming season. Lack of firepower upfront will be main concern. Cavani despite making a good impact this season was still not the first choice. Also solidity at the back is also a call of the hour. On the other hand, It also gave another example how the rest of the footballing world tend to undervalue the quality of football in La Liga as a whole. Even outside their top three, there are certain teams which capable to put fear in any European side’s mind.

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