Villarreal demonstrated their tactical superiority over Levante with a commanding 3-1 victory, driven by Alberto Moleiro's standout performance. The midfielder was instrumental, contributing a goal and two assists, while orchestrating much of Villarreal's attacking play with seven key passes. This creative spark helped Villarreal maintain 62% possession and craft a staggering 21 shots, seven of which tested Levante's goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

Tactical timeline

The match began with Villarreal in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, capitalizing on their midfield dynamism to control the tempo. Levante, lined up in a 4-3-3, struggled to assert themselves, managing only 38% possession and a meager six shots, only one of which was on target. Villarreal's dominance was reflected in their expected goals (xG) figure of 4.27, highlighting the quality of chances they created compared to Levante's 0.45.

The first half saw Villarreal's persistence pay off in the 41st minute when A. Perez opened the scoring with a well-timed strike from an A. Moleiro assist. However, Levante responded almost immediately through I. Romero, who capitalized on a rare defensive lapse from Villarreal to equalize just a minute later. This brief lapse in concentration was one of the few blemishes in an otherwise controlled performance by the home side.

The decisive phase

After the break, Villarreal resumed their dominance. Moleiro turned from provider to scorer in the 54th minute, finishing off a move initiated by Ilias Akhomach. Akhomach himself was a key figure, providing two key passes and an assist, contributing to his impressive rating of 8.3. His interplay with Moleiro was a constant thorn in Levante's side, exposing gaps in their defensive setup.

The match seemed to be heading towards a tense conclusion with Villarreal holding a slim lead, until Georges Mikautadze sealed the win with a late goal in the 86th minute. Moleiro was again involved, providing the assist for Mikautadze's decisive strike, underscoring his influence on the game. This goal not only confirmed Villarreal's victory but also demonstrated their ability to manage and exploit crucial moments.

Levante's attempts to disrupt Villarreal's rhythm were largely unsuccessful, as evidenced by their 10 fouls and a solitary corner. Despite their efforts, they were unable to break down Villarreal's disciplined defense, which was well marshaled by Renato Veiga. Villarreal's passing accuracy of 89% further illustrates their control, as they effectively circulated the ball to stretch Levante's lines.

This win propels Villarreal to a stronger position in the league standings, now sitting within a tightly contested mid-table cluster. The victory offers a boost in confidence, particularly with Moleiro's form suggesting he could be pivotal in Villarreal's aspirations this season.

For more insights into Villarreal's key players and their season rankings, visit TackleZone's player profiles.