News
MAR 23.08.2016
It just was not to be. Villarreal CF left it all out on the pitch but were unable to turn around a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Spain. A 1-0 score line at the Stade Louis II qualified AS Monaco FC for the Champions League, whilst Fran Escriba's side will have to make do with the group stages of the Europa League for another season.
The injury-hit LaLiga Santander side went on the attack from the offset, intent on staging a come-back, and, despite Monaco's solid defensive display, Villarreal threatened to turn around the tie with several goalscoring chances. The clearest chance came when Rafael Santos Borre cut inside towards the area following Bruno Soriano's impressive through ball, but the Colombian failed to find the net and break the deadlock on the stroke of half time, a goal which would have levelled the tie.
Monaco stepped up their game after the break and looked to wrestle back control of the game in midfield from Villarreal. That blunted Escriba's team's attacking options. Despite their attempts to find a goal in the second half, Monaco were also unable to break the deadlock. Time finally ran out for Villarreal when Fabinho sealed Monaco's qualification from the penalty spot just before the final whistle following Mateo Musacchio's handball inside the area.
FT | @AS_Monaco_EN 1-0 @VillarrealCF (3-1)
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) August 23, 2016
Villarreal will play 2016/17 @EuropaLeague. #UCL pic.twitter.com/iGa4uSkspN
The result sends Monaco through to this season's Champions League, a competition that will not include five LaLiga Santander teams like it did last season. Instead, Villarreal will join Athletic Club and RC Celta in the Europa League, a tournament they reached the semi-finals of last season.
© LALIGA - 2016