Late goal denies Bianconeri victory over Villarreal | OneFootball

There were constant twists and turns at the Estadio de la Ceramica in Villarreal on Matchday Two of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League League Phase, with Villarreal and the Juventus Men’s First Team eventually drawing 2-2. Federico Gatti and Chico Conceicao scored for the Bianconeri, while Georges Mikautadze and Renato Veiga found the net for the Spanish side.

VILLARREAL TAKE THE LEAD

The hosts started strongly on home turf, buoyed by the enthusiasm of their fans. Manuel Locatelli and then Gatti were quick to react, blocking initial attempts by Dani Parejo and Mikautadze and preventing Mattia Perin from being put under pressure. However, the Bianconeri's goalkeeper was powerless in the 18th minute when Mikautadze was played in by Nicolas Pepe in the penalty area and put Villarreal ahead. Perin came to the rescue five minutes later when he tipped Alfonso Pedraza's left-footed shot onto the post, preventing the Spaniards from doubling their lead.

JUVENTUS RESPOND

The first big chance for Juventus came on the counterattack, with Weston McKennie forcing the opposing goalkeeper into a decisive save to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. Igor Tudor's team increased the pressure by bringing their attacking players into the game more and having several attempts at Arnau Tenas' goal. At the end of the first half, it was Perin who stole the show again, closing down Tajon Buchanan who had popped up a few metres from the goal line.

SEVEN MINUTES TO MAKE AN IMPACT

The second half began with Conceicao coming on to increase speed and unpredictability in attack. Tudor's move immediately paid off, as within seven minutes, the Bianconeri first equalised and then took the lead. The equalising goal was a true masterpiece by Gatti, who produced a wonderful overhead kick, making perfect use of Lloyd Kelly's assist. The goal to make it 2-1, on the other hand, began and ended with Conceicao, who intercepted a loose pass from Parejo, sprinted towards the opponent's goal and doubled the lead with a left-footed finish.

A LATE EQUALISER

Gatti equalised, Conceicao put Juventus ahead, and Jonathan David almost scored a third twenty minutes before the final whistle, breaking down the left, taking advantage of a through ball from McKennie, and shooting with his left foot, but his shot hit the crossbar. Villarreal increased the pressure and, in the final minute of the 90, they took advantage of a corner kick and found the equaliser goal with a header from Veiga. It was the last chance of the match, and the game against the Spaniards ended 2-2 at the Estadio de la Ceramica.