Match Report: Valencia CF draw away at Granada CF (1-1)

The team came into the match off the back of a solid opening day win over Getafe CF, and looked for more of the same in Andalusia.

Valencia CF made a quick start to the game with Denis Cheryshev narrowly missing with the first clear chance of the game. Two minutes later, at the other end, José Luis Gaya put in a last-ditch tackle as Granada CF advanced, keeping the scoreline 0-0.

An intense early spell was put on pause by a treatment break following a coming together between Uroš Račić and Monchu, with neither player required to go off.

Following the precautionary halt, Luis Suárez made it 1-0 to Granada CF against the run of play, just past the quarter-hour mark. It was the first goal conceded by VCF this season.

José Bordalás' men tried to get back on level terms immediately, with Gonçalo Guedes forcing a save out of goalkeeper Aarón halfway through the first period.

Another clash required physios to come onto the pitch - this time involving Maxi Gómez and Domingos Duarte. 

Valencia CF kept on pushing for an equaliser in the closing minutes of the first stanza through efforts from Omar Alderete and a Denis Cheryshev double chance -the first of which required another stop by Aarón. All three clear-cut opportunities coming in quick succession.

Daniel Wass came close to levelling, but his free-kick went skimming past the angle deep into stoppage time, meaning that the score remained 1-0 at the break.

The second half saw a cagey start, with play broken up by frequent fouls. Amidst the stoppages, a good chance fell to Guedes, who got a shot away following a Soler and Gómez combination, albeit without success. Minutes later, Gómez himself came close to equalising following a low Gayà cross, unable to finish off with only the keeper to beat.

The home side grew in the game after Luis Milla was brought on, dictating the play and controlling the tempo. On the hour mark , Granada CF felt that they had scored, VAR showed that the ball had not crossed the line.

Both sides made changes for the final third of the game, with Granada CF looking to protect their lead and Valencia CF bringing on Manu Vallejo to replace Guedes in the attack. 

It was Gayà who continued to be the main offensive threat, and he had a cross-shot go wide and then a half volley slip through a cluster of players before being gathered by Aáron.

Valencia CF left it late, but finally got their equaliser late in the game. A foul inside the penalty area meant that, for the second game in succession, Soler was presented with an opportunity from the spot.

The midfielder stepped up and dispatched his past Aarón to get his team back on terms and, whilst Granada CF had a Montoro goal disallowed for offside in the build-up before the final whistle, it was a deserved point for Valencia CF at the end of a 1-1 draw on the road.

Next up is a game against Deportivo Alavés on Friday, August 27th, at Mestalla on LaLiga Matchday 3.

Match Details:

1. GRANADA CF: Aarón, Foulquier, Domingos Duarte, C. Neva, Germán, Abram (Puertas, 46’), Monchu (Luis Milla, 46’), Montoro, Gonalons, Luis Suárez (Darwin Machis, 71’) y Bacca (Jorge Molina, 66’).

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Alderete, Gayà, Racic, Wass, Carlos Soler (Jason, 92’), Cheryshev (Diakhaby, 95’), Guedes (Manu Vallejo, 78’) y Maxi Gómez.

Goals: 1-0 Luis Suárez, 16’; 1-1 Carlos Soler (p.), 87’.

Referee: Del Cerro Grande booked  Monchu, Domingos Duarte, Germán, Omar Alderete, Thierry Correia.

Observations: Matchday 2 of LaLiga Santander held at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.