Match report: Derby draw return (1-1)

Valencia CF hosted cross-town opposition Levante UD on Matchday 28 at Mestalla at 10 pm kick-off time. The match will have a different feel to it as it will be held behind closed doors with no fans in attendance after a three-month gap over COVID-19.

Valencia CF had a lively start to the game applying pressure on Levante UD and trying to get on the counter bringing plenty of menace into the Levante UD box. Rodrigo Moreno had the first chance for Valencia CF on five from outside the area minutes but it went off target.

Minutes later, Gonçalo Guedes tried his luck but it went high and wide. Valencia CF were growing into the game as the game went on. Carlos Soler had a clear-cut chance as he rattled the crossbar on the half-hour mark following a great Rodrigo ball on the follow-up before the water break.

Jose Luis Gayà enjoyed another great chance in the closing minutes from the left-hand side but his bending effort went high hide and Mouctar Diakhaby could quite get on the end of a fine Dani Parejo delivery and the ball bounced back off the woodwork again.

The first half finished goalless between Valencia CF and Levante UD with all to play for in the second half of the Valencia derby.

Albert Celades made no changes at half-time as Valencia CF had a quieter start to the second half with Levante UD having more possession in the early going. A tighter second half that saw a sloppy spell by both sides who were lacking match fitness.

Albert Celades made a double substitution close to the hour mark a double like for like substitution with Daniel Wass replacing Alessandro Florenzi and Kevin Gameiro replacing Maximiliano Gómez.

Momentum swung in Valencia CF’s favour with Jose Luis Gayà delivering a teasing return ball into Rodrigo but he could not get on the end of it. Three minutes later, he forced Aitor Fernández into a fine save with a powerful curling drive.

 Levante UD were reduced to ten men with 15 minutes of regulation time plus stoppage time left to play for a double booking following a bad challenge on Valencia CF youngster Hugo Guillamón.

Postigo made a goalline clearance to Rodrigo Moreno’s goal-bound sprawling header but persistence finally paid dividends in the closing minutes of the game when the industrious Jose Luis Gayà delivered a great ball into Rodrigo who made a clever run into the near post to stab it home and put Valencia CF in front.

However, there was a nasty twist of the tale as the referee awarded a last-gasp penalty to Levante UD following a VAR review against Mouctar Diakhaby for a foul on Rubén Vezo. Jorge Melero made it 1-1. Valencia CF were held to a draw by ten-man neighbours Levante UD.

Valencia CF will visit Real Madrid on Thursday 18th of June at 10 pm kick-off time (CET) at the Alfredo Di Stefano on Matchday 29 of LaLiga. 

Match Details:

1. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Florenzi (Wass, m. 56), Diakhaby, Hugo Guillamón, Gayà, Carlos Soler (Ferran, m. 67), Parejo ©, Coquelin, Guedes (Cheryshev, m. 87), Rodrigo M. and Maxi Gómez (Gameiro, m. 56).

1. Levante UD: Aitor Fernández, Miramón, Vezo, Postigo, Clerc, Campaña (Pablo Martínez, m. 83), Vukcevic (Radoja, m. 73), Bardhi (Toño, m. 73), Rochina (Melero, m. 60), AJ Morales © (Borja Mayoral, m. 60) and Roger MS

Goals: 1-0. M. 89: Rodrigo. 1-1. M. 95: Melero (p).

Referee: Alberola Rojas,booked Hugo Guillamón (m. 42) from Valencia CF, and Miramón, Vukcevic for Levante UD. Roger was sent off for a double yellow card in the 74th minute.

Observations: Matchday 28 of LaLiga, played on Friday at 10 pm in Mestalla behind closed doors. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of COVID-19 victims.