Villarreal defeat Hajduk Split 4-2 in first-leg of Conference League play-offs

La Liga side Villareal prepared for their weekend league clash with Atletico Madrid with a 4-2 victory over Croatian side Hajduk Split in a 4-2 victory in their UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs on Thursday.

The Yellow Submarines have enjoyed a good pre-season and early season form, but Sunday’s trip to the Wanda Metropolitano will be their toughest yet.

However, Hajduk Split’s visit wasn’t the easiest for Unai Emery’s team as the Croats took an early second-minute lead. Jose Luis Morales equalised for the home side on the 14th minute.

They immediately went into the lead when Split’s Marko Livaja turned the ball into his own net two minutes later.

Morales got his brace in the 36th minute of the first half before he provided the assist for Gerard Moreno at the halftime mark.

Italian substitute Marco Fossati scored from the spot with a few minutes left to play to reduce the deficit to 4-2. The Yellow Submarines will progress to the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League next Thursday in Croatia if they can avoid a 2-goal or more defeat.

However, they have to face Diego Simeone’s side at the Wanda Metropolitano before the trip to Croatia.

Atletico Madrid started their La Liga season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez last weekend, but their first home game for the season will be against Unai Emery’s side.

Villarreal, on the other hand, played Rayo Vallecano away from home in their first La Liga game of the season away from home in a game they won 3-0.

After Sunday’s fixture at Wanda Metropolitano, Villarreal’s first game at home at the Estadio De La Ceramica will be on the 4th of September against Elche, but they would have faced Getafe away from home on the 28th of August.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu