Match Report: Epic comeback for regional derby win (2-1)

Valencia CF were back in action on Friday night football to welcome regional

Valencia CF were back in action on Friday night football to welcome regional opposition Villarreal CF at Mestalla at 9 pm kick-off (local time) on Matchday 26 of LaLiga Santander.

The game started at high tempo at both ends with both sides trying to play a possession based football looking to open up the opposition defence in the early goings of the regional derby at Mestalla.

Álex Blanco tried to work Pau but his effort was blocked away by the opposition defence. Valencia CF grew into the game as time wore on dictating tempo and playing through the opposition the game.

Kang In enjoyed a shot on target on 20 minutes following a positive link-up play with Maxi Gómez but South Korean sliced it and Sergio Asenjo collected it.

Valencia CF continued to dominate in terms of possession and piling the pressure on the opposition. 

Daniel Wass had an attempt on goal but the Danish dragged his shot wide of the target. Moments later, José Luis Gayà produced heroics at the other end making a double last-ditch tackle to deny the opposition and keep the scoreline at 0-0.

The opposition were awarded a penalty for a hapless handball offence against José Luis Gaya. Gerard Moreno made it 0-1.

Valencia CF tried to get back on level terms before the interval but Valencia CF trailed Villarreal by 0-1 at the break.

opposition Villarreal CF at Mestalla at 9 pm kick-off (local time) on Matchday 26 of LaLiga Santander.

The game started at high tempo at both ends with both sides trying to play a possession based football looking to open up the opposition defence in the early goings of the regional derby at Mestalla.

Álex Blanco tried to work Pau but his effort was blocked away by the opposition defence. Valencia CF grew into the game as time wore on dictating tempo and playing through the opposition the game.

Kang In enjoyed a shot on target on 20 minutes following a positive link-up play with Maxi Gómez but South Korean sliced it and Sergio Asenjo collected it.

Valencia CF continued to dominate in terms of possession and piling the pressure on the opposition. 

Daniel Wass had an attempt on goal but the Danish dragged his shot wide of the target. Moments later, José Luis Gayà produced heroics at the other end making a double last-ditch tackle to deny the opposition and keep the scoreline at 0-0.

The opposition were awarded a penalty for a hapless handball offence against José Luis Gaya. Gerard Moreno made it 0-1 to Villarreal CF.

Valencia CF tried to get back on level terms before the interval but Valencia CF trailed Villarreal by 0-1 at the break.

Valencia CF came out looking to equalise in the second half trying to take the game to the opposition penning them back inside their own area and delivering crosses into the box in the early stages.

Kang In tried his luck but his effort was deflected in Sergio Asejo’s stride and minutes later, Maxi Gómez got on the end of a teasing Thierry Correia cross but his header went just wide of the mark over the hour mark. 

Javi Gracia made a like-for-like swap bringing on Kevin Gameiro and Gonçalo Guedes for Álex Blanco and Kang In halfway through the second half.

 Valencia CF turned the pressure on Villarreal CF so much so that Daniel Wass crashed it against the crossbar following an inviting José Luis Gayà delivery. Jasper Cillessen pulled off a magnificent save at the other end to a powerful Pedraza effort.

Javi Gracia made a double substitution on 80 plus injury time left to play bringing on Manu Vallejo and loanee Christian Oliva for Uroš Račić and Daniel Wass.

Valencia CF were awarded a spot-kick following a VAR review for a foul on Maxi Gómez by Moi Gómez who clipped the Uruguayan striker. Carlos Soler stepped up and sent Sergio Asenjo the wrong way. 

There was another thrilling twist to the tale following fast break Christian Oliva won the ball back and threaded into Guedes who burst his way into the box to fire it past Sergio Asenjo deep into stoppage time to snatch all three points in style in what was a morale-boosting win in the regional derby.

Valencia CF will return to derby action away at cross-town opposition Levante UD for yet another derby instalment on Friday night football at the Ciutat de València on matchady 27 of LaLiga Santander.

Match Details:

2. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Hugo Guillamón, Gayà, Wass (Manu Vallejo, 79’), Carlos Soler, Racic (Christian Oliva, 79’), Álex Blanco (Guedes, 66’), Kang In (Gameiro, 66’) and Maxi Gómez (Lato, 93’).

1. Villarreal CF: Sergio Asenjo, Foyth, Pau Torres, Albiol, Estupiñán (Trigueros, 46’), Parejo, Capoue (Jaume Costa, 71’), Chukwueze, Moi Gómez (Bacca, 85’) Gerard Moreno and Paco Alcácer (Pedraza, 46’).

Goals: 0-1 Gerard Moreno (p), 39’; 1-1 Carlos Soler (p), 86’; 2-1 Guedes, 93’.

Referee: Estrada Fernández booked Racic, Carlos Soler, Foyth, Gayà, Capoue, Maxi Gómez and Albiol.

Observations: Matchday 26 of LaLiga Santander held at Mestalla.