0:5! Painful rebuff against Villarreal

In the third round of the UEFA-Conference League group stage, the Violets suffered a bitter 0:5 defeat against Villarreal. Austria played well at times, but failed to reward themselves and lost the thread in the final phase. Jose Morales scored a flawless hat-trick.

The UEFA Conference League draw took the Violets to Valencia on Thursday evening, where top Spanish club FC Villarreal asked them to dance in Round 3 of the group stage. Because Villarreal's venerable El Madrigal stadium is currently under renovation, the Yellow team will play their home games at the Estadi Ciudat de València, the actual home of league rivals UD Levante, until further notice. Around 650 vociferous fans followed the Violets to Spain.

Bitter loss

In view of the superior opponents (the yellow submarines won the UEFA Europa League in 2021 and only failed in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2022), coach Manfred Schmid did not even want to discuss the question of the role of the favourites at the press conference and demanded a courageous, concentrated performance from his team going forward. The team had to do without top-scorer Andi Gruber, who complained of dizziness and nausea during the warm-up - Aco Jukic was substituted.

As in the first two group games against Lech Poznan and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Villarreal coach Unai Emery again started with a better B-team. Stars like Parejo, Pau Torres, Lo Celso and Raul Albiol had to make do with the bench.

Villarreal dominate the opening phase

Those who were hoping for noticeable weaknesses from Emery's castling were already disappointed in the first ten minutes. The yellow team dominated the game, let the ball and the opponent run and, through the speedy left winger Chukwueze, repeatedly penetrated dangerous areas, initially without success. In the 10th minute, the Violets showed what they were made of for the first time. After Braunöder's cross, Mandi Fischer, left alone, headed just past the goal.

Of all things, the goal was conceded during the short period in which Austria was settling into the game. Chukwueze fooled Kreiker and saw Baena, who was left alone in the penalty area, elegantly put the ball into the corner of the net (19th).

Back and forth

But Violett stayed on the ball and more than played along. A lively back and forth developed with chances on both sides. After Braunöder's cross, Huskovic's header was rightly disallowed for offside (24th). In the following action, the Violets were lucky when Chukwueze flicked the ball over the left cross corner (25th). Only two minutes later, Austria was unlucky: After a free kick, Dominik Fitz hit the crossbar from 25 metres (27.) - it was Fitz's fourth aluminium goal this year.

The game remained completely open at this stage: After a Jackson counterattack, Villareal missed the 2:0 by a hair's breadth (28th). After a short irritation in the Villarreal defence, Fitz pushed the ball past the far corner (36.). Another counterattack by the home side had no effect (37th).

Shortly before the break, the Spaniards extended their lead: Villarreal chased the ball, Holland's pass in midfield was too imprecise, Baena played flat into the middle, where Morianes let through for Danjouma, who processed the ball excellently, passed Mühl and finished confidently (44th).

Violets with advantages out of the dressing room

The second half began without any events worth mentioning. Both teams acted cautiously, the Spaniards seemed to be able to live with the intermediate score, Violett gained slight advantages: Aco Jukic missed a free kick from 25 metres (57th), Dominik Fitz forced Jörgensen to make a save (58th), Huskovic's shot landed in Jörgensen's arms (60th). After a Braunöder pass, Jukic shot from 20 metres, which he put over the goal (62.).

Morales hat-trick brings decision

The final decision in favour of the home side came in minute 76 when Christian Früchtl came to the rescue after a series of mistakes by Lucas Galvao and captain Lukas Mühl. Jose Morales was the first to score with a superb dipping shot. Shortly afterwards, Morales scored a brace: Capoué, who had come up on the right, served the veteran with a low pass in the penalty area, who easily scored to make it 4:0 (79). But it was to get even worse: After Lo Celso's dream pass, it was once again Morales who ran alone towards Christian Früchtl, completed his hat-trick (88th) and scored the final 5:0.

FC VILLARREAL - FK AUSTRIA Wien 5:0 (2:0)

Goals: Baena (19.), Danjouma (44.), Jose Morales (75., 79., 88.)

FK Austria Wien: Früchtl; Ranftl, Mühl, Galvao, Kreiker (46.Polster); Holland, Braunöder (81.Vucic); Jukic (71.Teigl), Fischer, Huskovic (74.Keles); Fitz (74.Tabakovic).

Villarreal FC: Jörgensen; Dela, Mandi, Barreno, Majica; Chukwueze (65.Pino), Coquelin (46.Capoue), Morianes, Baena (46.Lo Celso); Jackson (46.Jose Morales), Danjuma (64.Parejo).

Yellow: Capoue and Kreiker respectively

Estadi Ciudat de València, ref Jochem Kaphuis (NED)