M. Dituro’s Six Saves Preserve Elche Point at Villarreal

Villarreal drew 0-0 with Elche in La Liga’s regular-season Round 9 at Estadio de la Cerámica. The result left Elche with a point after M. Dituro produced the match’s standout goalkeeping display.

Villarreal create chances but cannot score

Villarreal had the stronger attacking numbers, registering 20 shots to Elche’s 7, including 16 inside-the-box efforts and 7 shots on goal. Their expected-goals figure was 2.23, compared with 0.31 for Elche. Villarreal also held 58% possession, completed 460 accurate passes and won 10 corners.

That pressure did not change the score. Dituro made 6 saves for Elche, while Villarreal goalkeeper Logan Costa was rated 7.3 after completing 90 minutes. Elche managed only 1 shot on goal, but stayed level through the final whistle.

Cards and changes shape the closing stages

Elche collected 4 yellow cards, including bookings for Gonzalo Villar in the 38th minute, Tete Morente in the 71st and Roy Revivo in the 75th. Víctor Chust was booked in the 90th minute. Villarreal’s Alex Freeman and Juan Foyth were also cautioned in the 81st and 90th minutes.

Elche made four changes between the 28th and 65th minutes, while Villarreal introduced Georges Mikautadze and Pape Gueye in the 66th.

Post-match table leaves teams separated

The post-match standings place Villarreal 10th with 9 points from 9 games, while Elche are 18th with 7 points from 9 games. Villarreal are 2 points ahead of Elche, and both remain behind league leaders Barcelona, who have 27 points.

Their pre-match form was mixed: Villarreal’s sequence was Draw, Draw, Loss, Loss, Loss, Win, Win, Loss, Draw; Elche’s was Draw, Loss, Loss, Loss, Draw, Loss, Win, Draw, Draw.