Match story
- Villarreal created the clearer chances on xG (1.25 vs 3.29, Δ 2.04).
- Villarreal fired more attempts (18 vs 5 shots).
- Leganes was more accurate in front of goal (60% on target vs 50%).
- Villarreal held more of the ball (64% possession).
Villarreal defeated Leganes 2-5 in La Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 18 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Estadio Municipal de Butarque in Leganes. Alejandro Muñiz officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Leganes vs Villarreal meeting in La Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Leganes and Villarreal. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
La LigaRecorded meetings: 8 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Villarreal defeated Leganes 2-5 in La Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 18 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Estadio Municipal de Butarque in Leganes. Alejandro Muñiz officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Leganes vs Villarreal meeting in La Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Leganes and Villarreal. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
La LigaRecorded meetings: 8 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Following a tense situation between Julian Alvarez and the Atletico Madrid fanbase, coach Diego Simeone came out to clear things up ahead of the match against Villarreal. Diego Simeone returned to face reporters and moved to clarify his previous comments after being accused of tacitly backing the hostile treatment Julian Alvarez has received from a section of Atletico Madrid’s fanbase. “I want to finish the sentence I started at the last press conference, where I said I respected the fans. That’s absolute, it’s always been that way, but obviously I don’t support insults or abuse. Let that be clear. Any word right now, when people are waiting for that kind of division, can generate conflict and uncertainty,” Simeone said during a press conference. The controversy traces back to Atletico’s LaLiga opener against Malaga, when Alvarez wasn’t included in the squad, due to not being fully fit physically, and didn’t attend the match to support his teammates. A section of supporters responded with chants directed at the absent forward during the 2-0 win, and Simeone’s initial response, saying only that he respected the fans, was widely interpreted as siding with them rather than defending his player. Mañana, Villarreal. 💪 pic.twitter.com/F4yQKUgu4J— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 22, 2026 Before wrapping up, Simeone confirmed Alvarez will be included in the squad for Sunday’s match against Villarreal. “Yes, he’s going to be in the squad. He’s in better shape physically,” the coach said, setting up what could be Alvarez’s first minutes since the World Cup amid all the surrounding controversy. Simeone reaffirms Atletico’s stance on Alvarez’s future The Argentine coach also reaffirmed the club’s stance on Alvarez’s future, aligning himself with comments made by club official Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. “The uncertainties aren’t there. Miguel Ángel spoke clearly. For me, he’s an extremely important player for us to reach our sporting objectives. We’re going to be with him, we’re going to take care of him from a sporting standpoint. Why? Because he’s our player. As long as he’s at Atletico, I’m going to take care of him,” he added. The comments leave little doubt that, at least publicly, Atletico‘s hierarchy is presenting a united front on Alvarez’s situation, coach and club officials alike insisting he remains central to their plans regardless of how the transfer saga with Barcelona has played out.
NATHAN SALT: Many of Man United's mistakes were painfully familiar and captain Fernandes is tired of seeing them over and over again away from home.
Bruno Fernandes: ‘We gave too much of the ball to them’Sergej Jakirovic happy Hull proved critics wrongMichael Carrick says he will not overreact, but has called for improvement after Manchester United started the season with a 2-0 defeat at Hull. United lost their opening game for the fourth time in the past seven years as Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy took advantage of poor defending from set-pieces.The United head coach presented a professional exterior despite United’s performance not reaching the desired standard as they were deservedly beaten by Hull, who finished sixth in the Championship last season. Continue reading...
After a win over Malaga in their season opener, Atletico Madrid will host Villarreal on Sunday, with Julian Alvarez set to return. The post Simeone vows to ‘look after’ Alvarez as he rejoins Atletico squad appeared first on SoccerNews.
⚽ Live updates on the 12.30pm (BST) kick-off at the MKM Stadium⚽ Live scores | Sign up for Football Daily | Mail TimHull, naturally, are in orange too, with black stripes. United are in ivory as Bruno Fernandes gathers them for a pep talk.The teams come out, and so do the fireworks. The MKM Stadium is a happy swirl of orange smoke. Continue reading...
ISAAN KHAN AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: For a player who didn't make the grade at Norwich and moved to north London from Club Bruges, Tzolis is already far superseding all expectations.
Barcelona midfielder Fernandez has been linked with a move away from the Spanish club this summer. The 18-year-old central midfielder is highly rated across Europe, and multiple clubs are keeping tabs on him. Fernandez could join Newcastle According to Albert Fernandez from GOL, Newcastle are now close to signing the player. Fernandez could be an […] The post Newcastle close to signing highly rated Barcelona midfielder appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown (Picture: Getty) Martin Keown believes Martin Odegaard is still ‘under pressure’ in an Arsenal shirt after the Gunners picked up a 3-0 win over Coventry City on Friday. The Premier League champions got their title defence underway with a flawless performance against the newly-promoted Sky Blues at the Emirates. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in control early on before Odegaard added a third shortly after the break. The Arsenal captain, who was named player of the match, has made a fast start to the season, having opened his goalscoring account in last weekend’s Community Shield. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. But Keown believes the Norwegian midfielder needs to maintain those levels, especially after an injury-hit campaign last season, in which he only started 16 league matches. ‘We need him back,’ Keown told Stan Sport at full-time. ‘He’s probably the one player who’s under more pressure than anybody else because he’s got Eze in the background and young Dowman is going to be an amazing talent. Martin Odegaard got on the scoresheet against Coventry (Picture: Getty) ‘So it’s important our captain is actually leading the way, and he was great again tonight.’ Fellow goalscorer Saka was another who dealt with injuries towards the end of last season, but looked back to his dangerous best in the opening match of this campaign. Asked about the England winger’s performance, Keown added: ‘Every time he gets the ball, he has to do damage. ‘Last season, of course, the Achilles wasn’t at his best. It looks as if he’s over those handicaps and we can see the best of him. @flemingben An ominous display from the defending champions… 😬😬 #arsenalfc #premierleague #coventry ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist ‘He’s a tremendous, very humble individual; he kind of sets the standards. ‘He’s been the key player for Arteta since he’s been at the club and in order for Arsenal to win things, he’s got to be at his best. So good news that he doesn’t have any injury concerns anymore.’ And Keown was also keen to highlight the performance of new signing Christos Tzolis, who impressed in his first league start following his £34million move from Club Brugge earlier this summer. ‘I thought he was as good as a debutant, as I’ve seen since maybe Freddie Ljungberg back in the day,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to go overboard, but everything he did, the first goal he’s involved in, he shuts the ball down. He’s involved, obviously, as well for the cross when Saka scores. ‘It was a shame Bruno wasn’t fit because, between the two of them last year, I think they had 54 goal involvements, but this kid is looking to me like a really good signing.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Michael Carrick believes skipper Bruno Fernandes will continue to have a major impact for Manchester United. Galatasaray were ready to lodge a €50m (£42.8m) offer for Fernandes and pay him €21m (£18m)-a-year net, to try and entice him to Turkey. United officials have made it clear they would reject any bid for the 31-year-old, even though they told Fernandes it was his decision whether he accepted a higher offer from Saudi Pro-League side Al Hilal in the summer of 2025.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
Following a tense situation between Julian Alvarez and the Atletico Madrid fanbase, coach Diego Simeone came out to clear things up ahead of the match against Villarreal. Diego Simeone returned to face reporters and moved to clarify his previous comments after being accused of tacitly backing the hostile treatment Julian Alvarez has received from a section of Atletico Madrid’s fanbase. “I want to finish the sentence I started at the last press conference, where I said I respected the fans. That’s absolute, it’s always been that way, but obviously I don’t support insults or abuse. Let that be clear. Any word right now, when people are waiting for that kind of division, can generate conflict and uncertainty,” Simeone said during a press conference. The controversy traces back to Atletico’s LaLiga opener against Malaga, when Alvarez wasn’t included in the squad, due to not being fully fit physically, and didn’t attend the match to support his teammates. A section of supporters responded with chants directed at the absent forward during the 2-0 win, and Simeone’s initial response, saying only that he respected the fans, was widely interpreted as siding with them rather than defending his player. Mañana, Villarreal. 💪 pic.twitter.com/F4yQKUgu4J— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 22, 2026 Before wrapping up, Simeone confirmed Alvarez will be included in the squad for Sunday’s match against Villarreal. “Yes, he’s going to be in the squad. He’s in better shape physically,” the coach said, setting up what could be Alvarez’s first minutes since the World Cup amid all the surrounding controversy. Simeone reaffirms Atletico’s stance on Alvarez’s future The Argentine coach also reaffirmed the club’s stance on Alvarez’s future, aligning himself with comments made by club official Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. “The uncertainties aren’t there. Miguel Ángel spoke clearly. For me, he’s an extremely important player for us to reach our sporting objectives. We’re going to be with him, we’re going to take care of him from a sporting standpoint. Why? Because he’s our player. As long as he’s at Atletico, I’m going to take care of him,” he added. The comments leave little doubt that, at least publicly, Atletico‘s hierarchy is presenting a united front on Alvarez’s situation, coach and club officials alike insisting he remains central to their plans regardless of how the transfer saga with Barcelona has played out.
NATHAN SALT: Many of Man United's mistakes were painfully familiar and captain Fernandes is tired of seeing them over and over again away from home.
Bruno Fernandes: ‘We gave too much of the ball to them’Sergej Jakirovic happy Hull proved critics wrongMichael Carrick says he will not overreact, but has called for improvement after Manchester United started the season with a 2-0 defeat at Hull. United lost their opening game for the fourth time in the past seven years as Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy took advantage of poor defending from set-pieces.The United head coach presented a professional exterior despite United’s performance not reaching the desired standard as they were deservedly beaten by Hull, who finished sixth in the Championship last season. Continue reading...
After a win over Malaga in their season opener, Atletico Madrid will host Villarreal on Sunday, with Julian Alvarez set to return. The post Simeone vows to ‘look after’ Alvarez as he rejoins Atletico squad appeared first on SoccerNews.
⚽ Live updates on the 12.30pm (BST) kick-off at the MKM Stadium⚽ Live scores | Sign up for Football Daily | Mail TimHull, naturally, are in orange too, with black stripes. United are in ivory as Bruno Fernandes gathers them for a pep talk.The teams come out, and so do the fireworks. The MKM Stadium is a happy swirl of orange smoke. Continue reading...
ISAAN KHAN AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: For a player who didn't make the grade at Norwich and moved to north London from Club Bruges, Tzolis is already far superseding all expectations.
Barcelona midfielder Fernandez has been linked with a move away from the Spanish club this summer. The 18-year-old central midfielder is highly rated across Europe, and multiple clubs are keeping tabs on him. Fernandez could join Newcastle According to Albert Fernandez from GOL, Newcastle are now close to signing the player. Fernandez could be an […] The post Newcastle close to signing highly rated Barcelona midfielder appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown (Picture: Getty) Martin Keown believes Martin Odegaard is still ‘under pressure’ in an Arsenal shirt after the Gunners picked up a 3-0 win over Coventry City on Friday. The Premier League champions got their title defence underway with a flawless performance against the newly-promoted Sky Blues at the Emirates. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in control early on before Odegaard added a third shortly after the break. The Arsenal captain, who was named player of the match, has made a fast start to the season, having opened his goalscoring account in last weekend’s Community Shield. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. But Keown believes the Norwegian midfielder needs to maintain those levels, especially after an injury-hit campaign last season, in which he only started 16 league matches. ‘We need him back,’ Keown told Stan Sport at full-time. ‘He’s probably the one player who’s under more pressure than anybody else because he’s got Eze in the background and young Dowman is going to be an amazing talent. Martin Odegaard got on the scoresheet against Coventry (Picture: Getty) ‘So it’s important our captain is actually leading the way, and he was great again tonight.’ Fellow goalscorer Saka was another who dealt with injuries towards the end of last season, but looked back to his dangerous best in the opening match of this campaign. Asked about the England winger’s performance, Keown added: ‘Every time he gets the ball, he has to do damage. ‘Last season, of course, the Achilles wasn’t at his best. It looks as if he’s over those handicaps and we can see the best of him. @flemingben An ominous display from the defending champions… 😬😬 #arsenalfc #premierleague #coventry ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist ‘He’s a tremendous, very humble individual; he kind of sets the standards. ‘He’s been the key player for Arteta since he’s been at the club and in order for Arsenal to win things, he’s got to be at his best. So good news that he doesn’t have any injury concerns anymore.’ And Keown was also keen to highlight the performance of new signing Christos Tzolis, who impressed in his first league start following his £34million move from Club Brugge earlier this summer. ‘I thought he was as good as a debutant, as I’ve seen since maybe Freddie Ljungberg back in the day,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to go overboard, but everything he did, the first goal he’s involved in, he shuts the ball down. He’s involved, obviously, as well for the cross when Saka scores. ‘It was a shame Bruno wasn’t fit because, between the two of them last year, I think they had 54 goal involvements, but this kid is looking to me like a really good signing.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Michael Carrick believes skipper Bruno Fernandes will continue to have a major impact for Manchester United. Galatasaray were ready to lodge a €50m (£42.8m) offer for Fernandes and pay him €21m (£18m)-a-year net, to try and entice him to Turkey. United officials have made it clear they would reject any bid for the 31-year-old, even though they told Fernandes it was his decision whether he accepted a higher offer from Saudi Pro-League side Al Hilal in the summer of 2025.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
