Villarreal’s Miracle journey ends as Liverpool books ticket to UCL final
Each team made two changes to their lineups for this game. Villarreal went into the game with Gerad Moreno back on the starting XI and Boulaye Dia as his striking partner. Which is completely different from the first leg. Liverpool lined up with two changes, Diogo Jota started in front instead of Luiz Díaz, and Naby Keïta took Jorden Henderson’s place. Villarreal is trailing by two goals after the first leg but they were determined to go out swinging.
Villarreal started the match looking like a completely different team compared to the first leg. They gave Liverpool a taste of their own medicine with a high pressure pressing system. Giving Liverpool players no time to think before they pass. This was effective as Villarreal left back Estupiñán crossed the ball into the right side of the penalty box to find Capoue. Capoue managed to pass the ball across the box to find Dia for the first goal of the game three minutes into the game.
Villarreal’s tactics addressed a major challenge they suffered in the first leg, possession. They have managed to take back control of the ball and create chances. Their passing success rate is also higher than Liverpool’s, allowing them to keep control of the match. Villarreal found the goal to equal the aggregate scoreline in the 40th minute. Capoue managed a cross from the right side of the penalty box again. This time, he finds Coqueline for a header and equalizes for Villarreal.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was certainly furious with his team’s performance in the first half and gave them new instructions and tactics for the second half. A part of the new tactic was subbing off Jota for Díaz.
With Díaz’s input on Liverpool’s side, Liverpool significantly improved their passing success rate and possession in the second half. Villarreal maintained their performance but Liverpool improved too much for them to handle. Liverpool’s Mohammad Salah found Fabinho on the right side of the box in the 62nd minute, Fabinho took the shot and Villarreal keep Rulli made a mistake, allowing the ball to pass through his legs into the goal. This error from Rulli will be the turning point as Liverpool regained the lead in the scoreline and the momentum in the match.
Villarreal slowly collapsed under tremendous pressure from Liverpool, allowing a second goal from Liverpool in the form of a Luiz Díaz header just four minutes later. Rulli made another mistake when he was attempting to clear the ball outside of the penalty box in the 74th minute. Leaving Mané an empty goal to shoot for. Mané put the nail in the coffin and sealed the win for Liverpool. A frustrated Capoue got his second yellow card by the end of the match and was sent off to end a disappointing night for Villarreal.
Even though Villarreal has been knocked out, they deserve credit for what they have achieved in the Champions League this season. They fought against Juventus and Bayern Munich and came out on top. They also forced Liverpool into a series of mistakes in the first half of this match. The achievements and performance of Unai Emery and his men are something to be proud of.
Liverpool was able to pull back from a 2-0 deficit to win and book their place in this year’s Champions League final. Their opponent will be Real Madrid, which means that it will be a rematch of the 2018 final. The match will be on May 28th in Paris. Will Salah get his revenge on Real Madrid? Or will Real Madrid be able to capture their first Champions League trophy after the Ronaldo era? This will be a match to look forward to.
