Match Report: Away loss to Sevilla FC (1-0)

Valencia CF made a trip down south to the Andalusian capital, Seville for their midweek clash against Sevilla FC on Wednesday the 12th of May at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán at 7 pm kick-off time on Matchday 36 of LaLiga Santander.    

Valencia CF started on the backfoot trying to soak up Sevilla FC pressure and break away on the counter-attack at every opportunity.

The first Valencia CF chance fell to Carlos Soler on seven minutes following a curling free-kick effort which hit the side-netting.

Valencia CF were trying to find a foothold in the game going forward and shaking off the home side stifling pressure at the other end.

Manu Vallejo who started up top alongside Maxi Gómez brought a save out of Bono with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty arc just under the 20-minute mark.

Moments later, Suso provided a scare at the other end but his goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up to the goal.

Valencia CF kept on defending resolutely while being really disciplined at the back. The game evened out a bit in the closing stages of the first half as Valencia CF enjoyed more possession and a free-kick attempt from Carlos Soler which sailed over the crossbar. Further promising breaks for Valencia CF went begging in the closing minutes of the first half.

The first half finished goalless with nothing to separate the sides at half time and all to play for in the second half.

Valencia CF came close to breaking the deadlock off of a corner kick, following a Maxi Gómez scuffed backheeled flick in a much better start to the second half being a lot more probing in the early goings of the second half.

Moments later Valencia CF tore away on the break Gonçalo Guedes delivered a return ball alas, Manu Vallejo could not quite stab it home.

Gonçalo Guedes made himself a constant nuisance for the Sevilla FC defence, ventured down the wing a delivered yet another teasing return ball, but the ball took a slight deflection and the onrushing Manu Vallejo could not quite put power behind his low drive to beat Bono.  

Julen Lopetegui made wholesale changes under the hour mark. Yuseff En – Nesy made it 1-0 to Sevilla FC seven minutes after coming on after a lengthy VAR review.

Salvador Gozález ‘Voro’ made a double substitution after the goal bringing on Denis Cheryshev and Cristiano Piccini for Manu Vallejo and Thierry Correia.

Cristiano Piccini tried to catch Bono out from the halfway line but his effort went off target with little under twenty minutes plus stoppage time left to play in Nervión.

Salvador Gozález ‘Voro’ made a double attacking change  brining on José Luis Gayà and Kevin Gameiro replacing Hugo Guillamón and Toni Lato and late on Yunus Musah replacing Maxi Gómez searching for a late equaliser.

Valencia CF kept on pushing for a late equaliser, venturing forward time and time again in stoppage time, but the scoreline remained unchanged and the game finished in a 1-0 away loss to Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

Valencia CF will welcome SD Eibar for their final and all-important final home win at Mestalla at 6 pm kick-off time under unified kick-off times across all LaLiga fixtures for the remaining two games of the campaign.   

Match Details:

1. SEVILLA FC: Bono, Jesús Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Escudero (Acuña, 59’), Gudelj (Fernando, 59’), Joan Jordán, Oliver Torres (‘Papu’ Gómez, 59’), Suso (Rakitic, 84’), Óscar Rodríguez (Ocampos, 74’), En-Nesyri.

0. VALENCIA CF: Cillessen, Thierry Correia (Piccini, 69’), Gabriel Paulista, Hugo Guillamón (Gameiro, 78’), Ferro, Lato (Gayà, 78’), Racic, Carlos Soler, Manu Vallejo (Cheryshev, 68’), Guedes y Maxi Gómez (Yunus Musah, 83’).

Goals: 1-0 En-Nesyri, 65’.

Referee: Estrada Fernández. Booked  Escudero, Gudelj, Gabriel Paulista and Carlos Soler.

Observations: Matchday 36 of LaLiga Santander held at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Seville.