Valencia CF welcomed their regional neighbours Elche CF on Saturday the 11th of December at 6:30 pm kick-off time at Mestalla on Matchday 17 of LaLiga. 

Valencia CF had a positive start to the game pressing high up the pitch. Valencia CF had a penalty call waved away by the referee for a shove on Hugo Duro in the early goings of the game.

Hugo Duro rose up to meet Carlos Soler’s corner-kick delivery but the ball blazed over the crossbar.   

Valencia CF settled into the game dictating tempo and play. Hugo Duro enjoyed two further chances inside the area which was followed in by Soler, but the effort went straight at Edgar Badía and then a downward header which bounced off the turf.

Valencia CF were forced into an injury substitution just under the 20-minutes mark. Toni Lato made way for Cristano Piccini.  

Lucas Pérez brought a splendid save out of Jasper Cillessen from close range and Gonçalo Guedes broke the deadlock at the other end cutting off the left wing and arrowing it across the keeper inside the far post beyond Edgar Badía on the midway point of the first half.

Valencia CF kept on pushing for a second goal trying to hit Elche CF on the break at every opportunity enjoying promising forays forward and a goalline clearance to Maxi Gómez’s effort from close range.  

Valencia CF edged Elche CF at the intermission by 1-0. 

Valencia CF came out looking to double the advantage. Alas Valencia CF struggled to find a foothold in the opening minutes of the second half. 

Daniel Wass tried his luck but the ball dragged just wide of the mark. Two minutes later, Hélder Costa made a bursting run down the wing, cut inside his marker but his powerful left-footed drive was turned behind by Edgar Badía. 

Lucas Boyé made it 1-1 to Elche CF with little over 15 minutes of regulation time plus stoppage time remaining.

Valencia CF made a triple substitution late on in the game with Gonçalo Guedes, Daniel Wass and Hélder Costa making way for Denis Cheryshev, Marcos Andre and Koba Leïn respectively to try to get something out of the game. 

Cristiano Piccini put Valencia CF back in front on 87 with a wonder strike after latching onto the ball and lashing it beyond Edgar Badía.

Jasper Cillessen produced heroics at the other end to stop the ball from trickling over the line in some eventful closing minutes of the game.

The scoreline remained unchanged and Valencia CF got back to winning ways with a 2-1 home win over their regional neighbours Elche CF.

Valencia CF will return to Copa del Rey action in midweek against CD Arenteiro on Thursday 16th of December at 7 pm kick-off time at the Estadio Municipal Do Espiñedo in the second round in a knockout tie format.    

MATCH DETAILS:

 2. VALENCIA CF: Cillessen, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Hugo Duro, Lato (Piccini, 19’), Wass (Koba Leïn, 81’), Carlos Soler, Guedes (Marcos André, 81’), Hugo Duro (Yunus Musah, 90’), Hélder Costa (Cheryshev, 81’) and Maxi Gómez.

1. ELCHE CF: Edgar Badía, Palacios, Enzo Roco, Diego González, Barragán (Josan, 73’), Marcone (Gumbau 61’), Mascarell (Guido Carrillo, 88’), Morente (Pere Milla, 46’), Fidel (Benedetto, 61’), Lucas Pérez and Lucas Boyé.

GOALS: 1-0 Guedes, 23’; 1-1 Lucas Boyé, 75’; 2-1 Piccini, 86’.

REFEREE: Jaime Latre. Booked Maxi Gómez, Morente, Wass, Enzo Roco and Foulquier.

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 17 of LaLiga held at Mestalla. A respectful minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in memory of Cristina Blanch, victim of domestic violence and Tennis legend, Manolo Santana.

Assistant Coach, Patricio Moreno, oversaw the team in Bordalas' absence.