Europa League

Rapid Vienna 2 – Villarreal 1

Rapid: Novota; Pavelic, Maximilian Hofmann, Dibon, Stangl (Auer 92’); Schwab, Grahovac; Schaub (Schobesberger 64’), Steffen Hofmann, Kainz (Huspek 72’); Prosenik. 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Barbosa; Rukavina, Bonera, Víctor Ruíz, Jokic; Denis Suárez (Nahuel 79’), Jonathan Dos Santos, Bruno, Samuel (Samu Castillejo 46’); Adrián López (Bakambu 69’), Leo Baptistao. 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 45. Leo Baptistao. Stooped to head Rukavina cross past Novota on far post.
1-1. 50. Schwab. Got on the end of Steffen free kick to beat keeper at second try.
2-1. 53. Steffen Hofmann (penalty). After Bonera fouled Prosenik in the area.

Villarreal lost their opening Europa League game, Marcelino’s side beaten 2-1 by Rapid Vienna despite leading at half time. The coach made no less than ten changes to the line-up he put out in the league at the weekend, but even so they went in front when Leo Baptistao flung himself forward to head Rukavina’s cross inside the far post just before the break. However some five minutes after the restart Schwab made it all square, beating Barbosa at the second attempt from a Steffen Hoffmann free kick, and just three minutes later Hofmann made it two from the penalty spot after Bonera tripped Prosenik inside the penalty area. Marcelino brought on Castillejo, Bakambu and Nahuel, but Novota and his defence held fast, and Villarreal now have to get positive results from their next two home matches against Viktoria Plsen and Dinamo Minsk to get their campaign back on track.