Valencia CF earned a 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in their first preseason friendly of the summer, courtesy of a goal from Javi Guerra at the beginning of the second half.

The team started the match very focused and trying to put into practice what they have worked on so far in summer training. They opted for high pressing, tight lines and possession in the opposing half.

Thanks to this daring strategy, they came very close to taking the lead in the 13th minute after a run by Diego López on the right, Jesús Vázquez barely missing his attempt to convert sot a goal. The visitors' reply came with a long shot from Williams that was met with a great intervention by Jaume, who was making his unofficial return to the starting XI after an injury-plagued 2022/23 campaign.

Three minutes into the second half, Javi Guerra put Valencia CF ahead after hunting down a loose ball, following a shot by Hugo González from the perimiter. The goal gave a boost to Rubén Baraja's team, who began to chain together dangerous approaches.

Hugo González himself was close to extending the lead minutes later, after a great collective play that the winger culminated with a powerful shot just outside the top corner.

Valencia CF maintained their intensity and kept control of the game to seal their first victory of the preseason.

After this triumph, Valencia CF will have another fixture on Saturday against FC Spartak Trnava.

VALENCIA CF 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

VALENCIA CF: Domènech, Cristhian, Gayà, Cenk, Diego López, Pepelu, Foulquier, J. Vázquez, Fran Pérez, Ali Fadal y A. Marí. También jugaron, C. Rivero, Thierry R., G. Paulista, Javi Guerra, Hugo Duro, Hugo González, Javi Navarro, P. Gozálbez, C. Tárrega, Martín Tejón, Diego Moreno, R. Iranzo and K. Koba Leïn.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Shelvey, Worral, Mangala, Williams, Niakhate, Yates, Freuler, Mckenna, Dos Santos, Boly y Ui-Jo. También jugaron Powell, Kouyaté, Drager, Donnelly, Aguilera, Taylor, Bowler, Gardner and Mighten.

GOALS: 1-0 Javi Guerra, 48’;