Match Report: Stalemate in 2021 opener (1-1)

Valencia CF welcomed Spanish top flight newcomers Cádiz CF at Mestalla on Monday Night Football at 9 pm kick-off time (CET) on Matchday 17 of LaLiga Santander.

Valencia CF had a good start to the game looking to take the initiative early goings trying to pass their way into the opposition box. 

The first Valencia CF chance fell to Denis Cheryshev who tried his luck from outside the area over the 10-minute mark but his shot went wide.

Maxi Gómez forced Jeremias Ledesma into a fingertip save with a towering header after an inch-perfect delivery from Thierry Correia from the right –hand side to which Uruguayan got on the end of halfway through the first half.   

Valencia CF were forced into a substitution on 26 minutes as Kevin Gameiro made way for Kang In.

Valencia CF grew into the game going forward breaking into the opposition box with ease and dictating play on the half-hour mark penning Cádiz CF inside their own half without making any inroads.

Denis Cheryshev came mighty close to opening the scoring after a neat exchange between Carlos Soler and Daniel Wass who slipped into Denis but the Russian’s effort crept just wide of the wrong side of the post.

The first half finished goalless with neither side able to open the scoring with all to play for in the second half.

The second half started at a higher tempo at both ends with Valencia CF going in search for the goal in the first minutes of the second half. The visitors got themselves in front just shy of the hour mark through Antony Lozano. 

Shortly after, Javi Gracia made an attacking substitution by brining on Manu Vallejo and Álex Blanco who replaced Yunus Musah and Denis Cheryshev respectively as Valencia CF tried to get back in the game.

Manu Vallejo came close to scoring at the following a good Carlos Soler delivery as Rubén Sobrino entered the pitch replacing Daniel Wass with little over 15 minutes plus stoppage time left on the clock.

Maxi Gómez headed Valencia CF back level with a towering header at the back post beyond Jeremias Ledesma following a pin-point José Luis Gayà cross from the left-hand side on 78 minutes.

The game opened up after Maxi Gómez equalising goal with both teams searching for the winner in a box-to-box final passage of play which saw Valencia CF having to clear their lines and defend Cádiz CF’s consecutive counter-attacks at the other end.

The match finished one apiece between Valencia CF and Cádiz CF at Mestalla. Valencia CF clamber out of the drop zone at the expense of their near-neighbours Elche CF on goal difference. 

Valencia CF will be back in the Copa del Rey action against Yeclano Deportivo on Thursday 7th of January at 7 pm kick-off time at La Constitución.

Match Details:

Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Thierry Correia, Hugo Guillamón, Diakhaby, Gayà, Carlos Soler, Wass (Sobrino, 75’), Yunus Musah (Álex Blanco, 63’), Cheryshev (Manu Vallejo, 63’), Gameiro (Kang In, 26’) and Maxi Gómez.

Cádiz CF: Ledesma, Iza, Alcalá, Juan Cala, Espino, Jonsson, Fali, Álex Fernández (Perea, 89’), Jairo (Akapo, 46’) Choco Lozano (Álvaro Jiménez, 73’) and Negredo (Malbasic, 73’).

Goals: 0-1 Choco Lozano, 57’; 1-1 Maxi Gómez, 78’.

Referee: Medié Jiménez. He booked Cheryshev, Hugo Guillamón, Choco Lozano and Negredo.

Observations: Matchday 17 of LaLiga Santander played at Mestalla.