Villarreal 4-1 Lazio: Yellow Submarine Sink Italian Strugglers

Villarreal were a class above Lazio as they crushed their opponents in matchday four of the Europa League to go above the Italians in the group.

The Spanish side came into the match in danger of missing out on the round of 32, but they showed all of their fighting spirit. Robert Pires opened the scoring within two minutes before turning provider for Cani to add a second 10 minutes later. The Frenchman was then at the centre of the action - sticking away a penalty after just 15 minutes to propel his side towards maximum points. Pasquale Foggia missed a penalty for Lazio. Mauro Zarate pulled one back for his side 20 minutes before full-time, but it wasn't enough. Giuseppe Rossi then dug the knife further into the Italians as he converted a late penalty.

Lazio should have opened the scoring within 40 seconds at the Madrigal, but it was the Spanish side who drew first blood after two minutes. Brazilian striker Nilmar latched onto a Robert Pires free kick to give his side a dream start. The Brazilian seemed to claim it, but the goal was given to the Frenchman. It came just seconds after Tommaso Rocchi missed a glorious chance down the other end. Pasquale Foggia let the ball run for the Italian, but he smashed it straight at Diego Lopez.

Things got worse for Lazio as Roberto Baronio left his team to fight on their own after being shown a straight red card. The Italian holding midfielder was given his marching orders after appearing to react foolishly to a challenge from Llorente. The Aquilotti were always going to struggle after their game had been licked into shape by some hasty refereeing. Stefano Mauri had the best effort of the opening 10 minutes for his side. Rocchi fed him neatly from the right and the midfielder launched a stinging strike which fizzed just wide of the mark.

Down at the other end, Nilmar was guilty of missing a great chance. He got in between Mobido Diakite and Sebastiano Siviglia, but scuffed the effort from Joan Capdevila's cross. Minutes later the game was well and truly over. Pires found Cani on the edge of the box and he rifled the ball home into the bottom corner to double his side's lead. Davide Ballardini must have thought the wheels had come off all at once – they did as Villarreal were home and dry after Diakite dragged down Nilmar. The referee awarded a penalty. Pires stepped up to score his second of the night and the third for the Spanish side. Albano Bizzarri got a touch, but the shot was too powerful as it buried itself into the bottom corner. By this point, the Italians were batting on a sticky wicket.

There would be no response from the Aquilotti. Ballardini's side seemed lost and without any ideas. The Italians were handed a lifeline when Gonzalo Rodriguez took Rocchi out inside the box. It was a clear penalty and the defender was shown a red card. Foggia stepped up to take it, but his effort was casual and with a hint of anger as he smashed the ball back off the crossbar.

Ballardini introduced Mauro Zarate for the second half. However, the Argentinean was slow in settling down. Neither side created any chance worthy of mention as the clock ticked on. Aleksandar Kolarov should have done better when he was fed in by Zarate, but the winger scuffed his shot wide.

Bruno Soriano then dragged down Eliseu. Kolarov stepped up for the free kick. The winger, who is usually so good from set pieces, summed up Lazio's night by sending the ball into the stands.

Pires should have had his hat-trick, but missed from inside the box after being teed up by Capdevila. Lazio finally pulled one back through Zarate. The hitman stuck away his effort after being teed up by Eliseu. The stage was set for a dramatic comeback. The Italians huffed and puffed, but were unable to bring the house down.

Their night was made worse when Kolarov fouled Cani in the box. Rossi stepped up and buried the ball into the bottom corner with Panache. Villarreal and Lazio are joint second, but the Spanish outfit are ahead because they have the better head-to-head record.

Levski Sofia 0-1 Salzburg

In the other match in Group G, Levski welcomed the Austrian champions.

Salzburg came into this clash hoping to maintain their 100 per cent start and take a step into the last 32. Levski on the other hand had no points from their first three games.

However, neither side were able to set the Georgi Asparuhov stadium alight. The first half ended all square. Cederic Bardon had three glorious chances for his side, but missed every one.

Levski were then reduced to 10 men in the second half after Georgi Sarmov was sent off. The Austrian side took advantage as their 100 per cent win record stays intact. Sheimer scored in the 95th minute to win the game. Salzburg stay top of the group.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

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