UEFA Europa League

Villarreal 1 - Levski Sofia 0

Villarreal: Diego López; Javi Venta, Gonzalo, Marcano, Capdevila; Cani, Bruno (Ibagaza 54'), Eguren, Pires (Escudero 81'); Nilmar, Jonathan Pereira (Rossi 65'). 4-4-2.
Levski: Petkov; Genev, Benzoukane, Rabeh, Ninev; Dimitrov (Ognyanov 77'), Baltanov, Bardon, Jaozinho, Tasevski (Simonovic 66'); Hristov (Yovov 61'). 4-5-1.

Goals:
1-0. 69. Nimar. Got on end of Rossi cross to turn ball past Petkov on near post.

Villarreal had more problems than expected against Levski Sofia in their opening Europa League game, but in the end they ran out 1-0 winners to share top spot with Salzburg in their group.

Valverde gave a run out to several of his new players on another rainy night in the Madrigal stadium, and Pereira fired a couple of efforts wide early on. Pires went close with a free kick after the restart, and Pereira hit the post after Nilmar set him up.

But the Bulgarian side held their own until twenty minutes from the end, when Rossi crossed in for Nilmar to beat Petkov on the near post. That was just enough for a win, and Villarreal's new European campaign is under way.