Villarreal’s 2-1 victory over Espanyol on Thursday night should have been the headline, but it was a troubling moment after the final whistle that stole the attention.
As the players headed off the field, an unfortunate incident unfolded involving the referee.
Referee Struck by Object from the Crowd
As referee Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez made his way toward the tunnel, a fan from the Espanyol side hurled what appeared to be a bottle, striking him.
Despite the alarming moment, Gonzalez did not appear to suffer any injuries.
He quickly identified the individual responsible, with help from two stewards and a fourth official, ensuring the perpetrator was pointed out swiftly.
Consequences Loom for Espanyol
The incident could result in more than just a ban for the fan. Espanyol now faces potential penalties, including the possibility of a full or partial stadium closure.
Espanyol’s head coach, Manolo Gonzalez, shared his concerns after the match, hoping the punishment wouldn’t be too severe.
“Let’s hope they don’t close the stadium,” he commented, expressing his reluctance to delve too deeply into the topic.
He acknowledged the complexity of the situation but chose to avoid further speculation.
Espanyol’s Frustrations Boil Over
The tense post-match atmosphere wasn’t just about the crowd trouble. Espanyol had taken an early lead but couldn’t maintain their advantage by halftime.
The frustration only mounted when the team wasn’t awarded a foul for what appeared to be a clear challenge on forward Walid Cheddira late in the game.
This missed call fueled even more resentment among the home crowd.
Coach Gonzalez, though careful with his words, didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions.
He admitted that fully expressing his feelings might get him in trouble.
“If I tell the truth, I could be penalized,” he said, referring to the decisions during key moments of the match.
However, he was quick to clarify that he wasn’t placing all the blame on the referee, acknowledging that dwelling on it would be unproductive.
Villarreal Climbs, Espanyol Stumbles
While the incident off the pitch created a stir, Villarreal’s performance on it saw them climb to fourth place in La Liga, overtaking Athletic Bilbao.
The standout player of the night was former Premier League forward Ayoze Perez, who netted both goals for Villarreal, bringing his season tally to six.
Meanwhile, Espanyol’s struggles continue as they now sit 14th in the league, with only seven points from their opening seven games.
With growing frustrations both on and off the pitch, the club will be hoping to find some stability in the coming weeks.
What’s Next?
Espanyol must brace themselves for potential sanctions following the fan incident, while also addressing their form on the field.
Villarreal, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum as they continue their push toward the top of the table.