Villarreal return from Málaga with relief and jokes, Comesaña on crutches after first win of season | OneFootball

Villarreal’s first win of the season brought more than three points, delivering clear relief on the late return from Málaga at about four in the morning.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, jokes at the airport, relaxed chats before boarding and smiles on the flight contrasted with recent frustration.

Iñigo Pérez was buoyant. He has spent weeks saying the squad are committed despite the results, and the win reinforced that. Players backed him, with Ilias highlighting unity, while the coach thinks the team were mentally stuck and hopes this frees them.

President Fernando Roig congratulated players one by one and joked with some, joined by Fernando Roig Negueroles and Miguel Ángel Tena.

Santi Comesaña’s right ankle was badly swollen after a heavy Salinas challenge. He smiled through the pain and was accompanied by Mouriño, Ayoze and Moleiro.

Team-mates even joked about asking for a wheelchair. Comesaña was moved on a luggage cart and left the airport on crutches.

He felt the tackle could have been a red and was indignant that VAR did not ask the referee to review.

There was also a penalty flashpoint involving Georges Mikautadze. With Gerard Moreno off and no set taker, he wanted the kick and argued with Pape Gueye.

Mikautadze went to the dressing room angry afterwards. He has one goal and looks anxious, though inside the camp the episode has been played down as the product of ambition.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”