Horrendous match.
Ancelotti really made a mistake with that starting lineup. Players used out of position and a nonexistent midfield with no control of the game whatsoever with only two players that on top of that are underperforming. No one bar Courtois and maybe Alaba stepped up for this game. We were so dry and uninspired in attack, and those long balls to Vini are becoming very predictable. Militao missing that header could have changed the game though.
Nacho is a CB, but if you definitely want to use him in another position, it should only be as RB, doing it otherwise means losing threat going forward. Valverde that has been our best player in midfield, shouldn’t never be used as RB, as you’re completely diminish its ability. I guess, I figured out the intention behind that experiment but we still ended up rendering another position.
The first half showed once again some defensive issues that need fixing, Villareal clearly deserved more at that point. I don’t know why Jovic wasn’t even considered when we were already crossing to Benzema who was isolated in the box on the second half, with them patiently sitting back.
Props to Villareal though, who are a very good composed team holding onto the ball with enough patient to create chances, all while being a tough unit to break down. I think they could have done more than just getting a drawing if they really tried it. But after seeing how they were blatantly wasting time. I guess, a draw is what they truly wanted.