Defeat against Dépor on the return to La Cerámica | OneFootball

Dépor staged a late comeback to snatch victory in heartbreaking fashion

Villarreal CF were unable to celebrate their return to La Cerámica with a win. The Yellows suffered a 2-3 defeat to Dépor despite leading with just 15 minutes remaining. Goals from Zakaria and Aubameyang turned the match around in dramatic fashion for the visitors during the closing stages.

Villarreal CF returned to the Estadio de la Cerámica after a summer of extensive renovation and improvements to the club’s home ground. The Yellows were back in front of their supporters for Matchday 4 after three demanding away fixtures in which Iñigo Pérez’s side had deserved much more than the two points they collected.

With the Mare de Déu de Gràcia festivities taking place in Vila-real, the Yellows welcomed RC Deportivo. The newly promoted side arrived packed with quality following an ambitious summer transfer window at Riazor.

For the clash against the Galicians, Iñigo Pérez made a number of changes to his starting XI. Freeman, Logan Costa and Cardona all made their first starts of the season, while Nathan Saliba made his debut as a Villarreal player.

After a bright start from the Yellow Submarine, Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring in the 19th minute. The Ivorian controlled a superb through ball, drove towards goal and caught Leo Román out of position with an excellent finish into the far corner.

Villarreal controlled possession from the outset, although Dépor remained dangerous through direct play and the pace of Aubameyang. In the 22nd minute, the Gabonese forward fired a clear opportunity wide in his search for an equaliser.

Moleiro nearly doubled Villarreal’s advantage in the 37th minute, unleashing a powerful effort from the edge of the area that forced a magnificent save from Leo Román. Just before half-time, Dépor found the equaliser through Luismi Cruz, who converted Aubameyang’s pass first time from inside the box.

After the restart, Villarreal had a clear opportunity to regain the lead. Moleiro finished off a well-worked move inside the area but was once again denied by Leo Román.

The Yellows continued to push forward. In the 54th minute, Pepe failed to find the target after arriving from deep to meet an excellent cut-back from Saliba.

Six minutes later, referee Gil Manzano controversially disallowed a Pape Gueye goal, much to the frustration of the home supporters, who struggled to understand the decision.

Just two minutes afterwards, Iñigo Pérez made a triple substitution to increase his side’s attacking threat, introducing Mikautadze, Buchanan and Comesaña in place of Ayoze, Moleiro and Gueye.

Villarreal’s high press eventually paid off. The hosts forced an error from Dépor and took a 2-1 lead through an own goal from Adama Traoré, who turned Gerard Moreno’s dangerous cross into his own net.

The advantage, however, lasted only a few minutes. Dépor responded immediately, with Zakaria beating Luiz Júnior with a low finish to make it 2-2 at La Cerámica.

In the 88th minute, Aubameyang capitalised on a lapse in concentration from Cardona, seized possession and calmly beat Luiz Júnior. The Gabonese striker’s goal completed the comeback and handed Dépor victory at La Cerámica.