UEFA Europa League: Napoli vs Villarreal half time review
The match between Napoli and Villarreal saw the home side using a 3-4-3 formation, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Salvatore-Aronica-c32276 were tasked with defensive responsibilities.
In midfield, Napoli utilised the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Dossena-c5683. Up
front, the men in blue used the offensive trio of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Edinson-Cavani-c11955.
On the other hand, Villarreal started with Diego Lopez as their goal keeper. The yellow submariners played with a 4-4-2 formation and their back four consisted of Mario Perez, Gonzalo, Joan Capdevilla and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mateo-Musacchio-c24632. In the midfield area, Villarreal
used the experienced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505 and Soriano Bruno.
In attack, former Manchester United striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giuseppe-Rossi-c15027 played in tandem with Nilmar. In the fifth minute of the match, Villarreal showcased their first offensive ambitions as Rossi surged up field with the ball. The Italian striker played a well timed
one-two with Nilmar but Yebda was on hand to read the danger as he dispossessed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nilmar-c28044 before he could unleash a shot on goal.
Napoli strung their first attack of the match together in the 15th minute, as Cavani brought down a long ball with perfect control. The Uruguayan striker then switched the ball to Dossena. The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 wing back passed it to Maggio, who
was hurried into a shot by Villarreal’s defence. The Italian midfielder was wayward with his final shot as the referee awarded the away side a clear cut goal kick. Napoli dominated possession for most part of the first half as their 3-4-3 formation allowed
them to stretch the field as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, the midfield four for Walter Mazzarri’s side worked very hard to push the Villarreal midfielders onto the back foot whenever they were without the ball. The Italian club, spurred on by their home supporters played a high defensive line, which
meant that Cavani and company always had a chance of getting more time on the ball.
In the 22nd minute of the match, Cavani was played in by Lavezzi. The Uruguayan goal scorer was clean through on goal due to the accuracy of the pass but Lopez showed tremendous courage, as he came out in a flash and stole the ball off of Cavani’s
feet to deny the Napoli striker a goal scoring opportunity. Lavezzi was once again involved in the buildup play for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 on the half hour mark however, this time Capdevilla brought the Argentinean striker down and as a result, the Spanish full-back was shown
a deserved yellow card by the referee.
The rest of the first half went by without any more clear-cut chances as both teams cancelled each other out due to their cautious approach to the match. Villarreal were quite comfortable dealing with Napoli’s attacks as Lavezzi and company rarely found
space in behind the Spanish club’s back line. Thus, the first half came to an end with the score line at nil-nil.
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