Deportivo Alavés beat Villarreal 1-0 at Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria. This defeat meant that the first victory in the Iñigo Pérez era at Villarreal will have to wait until the match at La Cerámica, Villarreal's stadium.
Villarreal CF had their moments during the match and controlled phases of the game, generating enough chances to at least earn a point. However, the team paid dearly for their lack of attacking efficiency and some defensive lapses that proved costly.
When Villarreal tried to react, they repeatedly ran into the wall of the blue-and-white players of Alavés. The home team seized the moment to score and skillfully managed to steer the game exactly to the terrain that suited them best.
The end of the match left frustration and much helplessness in the visiting team, who couldn't convert their chances and watched victory slip away despite their dominance in moments of the game.
