Levante UD deserves more against Villarreal CF

Levante UD deserved much more against Villarreal CF in the match played this afternoon at the Ciutat de València Stadium. The granota team had more possession and created clear chances, but they were unable to turn their efforts into goals. Mikautadze's goal was enough for the three points to go to Vila-real, and the Levante players ended the match with the feeling of having given everything without reward.

The blue and red team took control of the ball from the very first moments and, with it, tried to reach the opposing area. A few minutes after the start, the locals almost took the lead on the scoreboard after a clearance by Rafa Marín that nearly ended up as an own goal. Olasagasti tried later with a long-range shot that went over the crossbar. The Levante players continued to approach, especially down the right wing, but the Vila-real team covered the spaces well. Meanwhile, Ryan was merely a spectator of the match. The granota goalkeeper, however, was forced to intervene in the 27th minute after a dangerous cross from Mikautadze. Ryan raised his hand to deflect the ball to a corner.

Following this opportunity, Villarreal CF sought the opposing area with greater determination. They did so with a throw-in that Rafa Marín extended, and A. Moleiro headed the ball. The ball hit the left post. The blue and red team's response came with a shot from Carlos Espí that Júnior R. caught without difficulty. In the final minutes, the visitors approached again with a shot from Ayoze that the local goalkeeper saved.

After the restart, Levante UD sought the opposing goal from the very beginning. The Levante team almost took the lead with a shot from Paco Cortés from outside the area. It almost surprised into the top corner, but Júnior R. appeared to raise his hand and send the ball to a corner. Villarreal CF's response turned into a goal after a shot from Mikautadze that ended up in the back of the net.

The blue and red team kept fighting and made changes to their lineup, seeking fresh legs among their players. They had a dangerous approach that could have ended with a shot from Etta Eyong, but the player fell in the area after contact with an opponent. The players appealed for a penalty that the referee did not award. Villarreal CF tried to seal the match with a shot from Pedraza that Ryan saved. Mikautadze tried to take advantage of the rebound, and Dela cleared it near the goal line.

Luís Castro's team did not give up and gave their all to try to score the goal that would allow them to equalize. In the final minutes, Levante UD went all out. In injury time, the Levante players tried to capitalize on several rebounds in the area with the crowd on their feet, believing the goal would come. Kareem Tunde, Carlos Espí, Etta Eyong, and even Ryan himself, who joined the attack, had chances to score the equalizer without success.