An injury hit Villarreal saw their qualification for the group stage of the Champions League put into serious danger after suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Monaco on Wednesday night.

Making his debut in the home dugout after last week's shock sacking of Marcelino Garcia, Fran Escriba saw how his side's control of the game was undone by goals in either half.

Villarreal got off to the worst possible start when Alfred N'Diaye committed a naive foul on Monaco's Thomas Lemar in the Villarreal area after just two minutes.

Fabiano stepped up to send Sergio Asenjo the wrong way from the penalty spot to give Monaco a flying start and new Villarreal coach, Escriba the worst possible start to his term as Villarreal coach.

Escriba's side controlled the ball, but were slow in their movements against a rival with more competitive minutes in their legs and it was not until the 36th minute that they were on level terms as Alejandro Pato headed home from close range after being set up by Santos Borre.

Villarreal controlled the second half but without creating any clear chances and Monaco got back in front with 18 minutes remaining after Bernardo Silva was allowed to run through the heart of the home defense before unleashing a left foot shot which deflected off a defender to leave Asenjo helpless.

Monaco were reduced to 10 men with 4 minutes left to play after Benjamin Mendy was sent off for a bad foul on Mario Gaspar and his subsequent reaction with Samu Castillejo.

Gaspar saw a shot well blocked in injury time, but Villarreal will have a lot of work to do next Tuesday in the south of France if Spain are to have five sides in the Champions League for the second year in succession.

Source : XINHUA