MATCH REPORT: Away loss to Granada CF (2-1)

Valencia CF played against Granada CF on the road at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes at 5 pm kick-off time (CET) on Matchday 16 of LaLiga Santander for their final game of this calendar year. 

Valencia CF had a lively start to the game trying to tear away on the counter-attack at every opportunity with the home side also carrying an attacking threat going forward in the early goings of the game. 

Kennedy thought to have put the hosts ahead but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for a flailing arm on Jason Remesseiro in the lead up to the goal just shy of the quarter-hour mark. 

The first Valencia CF chance fell to Kevin Gameiro who collected a loose ball and made a bursting run towards goal and got his shot away but his shot was palmed away by Rui Silva and then Gonçalo Guedes’ header went straight into the keepers’ hands on 25 minutes. 

Valencia CF grew into the match over the halfway mark of the first half in a box to box open passage of play in the first half.  

Valencia CF main outlet up top Kevin Gameiro gave Valencia CF the breakthrough on 35 minutes after an inch-perfect bending low cross from the left-hand side from Denis Cheryshev which the Frenchman bundled it home at the far post to make it 0-1 for Valencia CF. 

Shortly afterwards, the Russian came close to putting Valencia CF two goals to the good, alas, Rui Silva was equal to it. 

The hosts found themselves 1-1 deep into stoppage after a dangerous free-kick took a wicked deflection on its way in and caught out a hapless Jaume Domènech.  

The first half finished locked-together at 1-1 at half-time. 

The second half picked up where it left off with Valencia CF venturing forward in search of the second goal with the Frenchman being a goal threat going forward in the opening minutes of the second half.  

Valencia CF were made to defend towards the hour mark as the hosts enjoyed an array of corner kicks in the Valencia CF penalty area, and bringing plenty of menace from set-piece situations.  

Things took a turn for the worse when Valencia CF were reduced to ten men with little over twenty minutes plus stoppage time left to play. Jason Remesseiro was sent off for a double booking for an off the ball incident. 

The same script followed a minute later, Gonçalo Guedes was dismissed for a double booking for dissent and Valencia CF were reduced to nine men.

 Moments later, hosts were reduced to ten men after Dominos Duarte was sent off for a straight red after wiping out Manu Vallejo as he was breaking away on the counter, a red card fest spell. 

The game opened up in the closing stages with both sides searching for the winner. Manu Vallejo came close to putting Valencia CF ahead after a lovely link-up play but the Cadiz-born effort flew over the crossbar.  

Jorge Molina made it 2-1 to Granada CF on 88 minutes on the clock. Valencia CF tried to comeback in injury time but the match finished 2-1 to Granada CF.  

Valencia CF will host Cádiz CF on the 4thof January at 9 pm kick-off time on Matchday 17 of LaLiga Santander on Monday night Football at Mestalla looking for an upturn in their fortunes in 2021. 

Match Details: 

2. Granada CF: Rui Silva, Foulquier (Quini, 73’) Domingos Duarte, Germán, Neva, Gonalons, Yangel Herrera, Antonio Puertas (Soro, 73’), Kenedy, Luis Suárez (Vallejo, 89’) y Soldado (Jorge Molina 68’). 

1. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Mangala, Diakhaby, Mangala, Gayà, Esquerdo (Koba Koindredi, 87’) Carlos Soler, Guedes, Cheryshev (Yunus Musah, 76’) y Gameiro (Manu Vallejo, 65’). 

Goals: 0-1 Cheryshev, 35’; 1-1 Gameiro (OG), 45’; 2-1 Jorge Molina, 87’. 

Referee: Cordero Vega.  Booked Foulquier, Wass, Yangel Herrera, Mangala, Antonio Puertas y Gonalons.  And Sent off Jason Remeseiro 69’ for a doublé booking and Guedes, for a straight red card 72’. And Domingos Duarte for a straight red 76’. 

Observations: Matchday 16 of LaLiga Santander played at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.