Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze and his Villarreal teammates have been hailed by the Yellow Submarines’ manager, Javi Calleja, for their spectacular showing that blew away Almeria over two legs in their Copa del Rey Round of 32 fixtures.
Villarreal thumped Almeria a whooping 11-3 on aggregate to reach the Round of 16 to be played in January
Calleja’s team recorded a 3-3 draw at Almeria earlier in November, then mauled their hapless opponents 8-0 at the Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, on Wednesday.
Chukwueze made his third Copa del Rey appearance for Villarreal in the second leg match. He replaced Javi Fuego in the 71st minute and asserted himself in the game but failed to score.
He scored Villarreal’s third goal when they secured a 3-3 away draw at Almeria on November 1.
Chukwueze has made 10 appearances in all competitions for Villarreal so far this season, scoring three goals – two in the LaLiga and one in the Copa del Rey.
“We played a perfect match from the beginning to the end. We did what we had to until the 90th minute. We didn’t relax at any moment. We didn’t put the result or qualifying for the next round in any doubt,” Calleja told Villarreal website..
“I am happy because we had a lot to win and little to lose. I think every match we are improving, and the scoreboard reflects that. Every player had a magnificent game.”
Villarreal’s Four goals scorer in the 8-0 win, Karl Toko Ekambi, got Calleja’s special thumbs up. He netted the Yellow Submarines’ first three goals and the fifth. Carlos Bacca scored twice – their fourth and seventh goal. Gerard Moreno and Daniel Raba scored one apiece.
“Toko Ekambi scored four goals that will definitely give him confidence. It was proven that we have the ability in front of goal, but we needed to show it,” Calleja remarked.
“We want to get as far as possible in every competition. We wanted to get to the next round and we have done it. We have three left in 2018, and we are going to work hard to get three wins.”
Up next for Villarreal is a Laliga Santander home match against Celta Vigo on Saturday. The Yellows are currently placed 17th, perilously close to relegation trough, in the 20-team Laliga Santander table, on 14 points from 14 matches. Celta Vigo are in 13th position on 17 points, also from 14 games.