| First Division - Day 3 | |
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Villarreal 0 - Alavés 1 Villarreal: Reina;
Quique Alvarez, Ballesteros, Unai, Arruabarrena (Galca 81'); Belletti, Marcos
Senna, Josico (Rubén Reyes 65'), Jorge López; Víctor
(Guayre 65'), Palermo. 4-4-2. Team changes: Villarreal: Reina, Unai, Belletti, Josico, Víctor for López Vallejo, Galván, Gracia, Galca, Calleja / Alavés: Juan Pablo, Edu Alonso, Turiel, Ibón Begoña, Ilie for Dutruel, Geli, Desio, Jordi Cruyff, Magno. Goals: Alavés followed up their away win in Europe midweek with their first league victory of the season at the weekend. Both sides announced changes to their line ups, with Ilie making his first start for Mané's side in place of the injured Jordi Cruyff, youngster Juan Pablo replacing the off-form Dutruel in goal and Edu Alonso coming in for the suspended Geli. Benito Floro was in charge for the first time at Villarreal, replacing Víctor Muñoz who was sacked last week, and he marked his return from exile making several alterations, opting for Reina in goal, playing Brazilian World Cup star Belletti further forward, switching Quique Alvarez to right back and with Aranda in hospital with appendicitis, bringing back Víctor alongside Palermo. With a settlement not yet reached with Muñoz, Floro was not allowed to sit in the dugout, and he had to watch from the stands as Ilie went close in the opening minutes. And then his side went behind when Astudillo crossed in from the right, and the rapid Iván Alonso got in between the hesitating Unai and Reina to score the easiest of goals. Floro brought on Rubén Reyes and Guayre midway through the second half and moved Jorge López to the middle, and Palermo tested Juan Pablo twice with headers. But Mané's defence held their nerve, more than accustomed to defending a one goal lead, and Alavés have finally got their act on the road. Floro had to hear the first whistles from the crowd, his team having got off to the worst ever start of their brief history in the top flight. Expect to see more changes next week. |
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