From the opening whistle, Valencia asserted themselves, determined to dictate the game. Izan, deployed in the attacking midfield, was immediately involved.
Ruben Baraja had assigned Izan a somewhat free role, so Izan wasn't sticking to just his position.
In the third minute, he received a lofted pass from José Gayà. With a deft first touch, he controlled the ball, then cut inside, leaving Alfonso Pedraza chasing shadows.
Izan's shot from the edge of the box was blocked, but the crowd cheered the audacity of the teenager.
Valencia had already started threatening to breach the goal of Villarreal. As Villarreal tried to settle into the game, Izan continued to wreak havoc on their right flank.
In the 10th minute, he skipped past his marker with a sharp turn and delivered a dangerous cross into the box.
