MATCH REPORT: Valencia CF win against St. Gallen in third preseason friendly

Valencia CF earned a 3-1 win over FC St Gallen 1879 3-1 in their third preseason friendly of the summer, coming back from an early goal scored by the Swiss team to take victory. Dmitri Foulquier and Alberto Marí (x2) were the goalscorers.

FC St Gallen were closer to full fitness, having already started their Swiss Super League season, but Valencia CF showed great energy in the opposing half and were active on the wings, especially with Fran Pérez and Diego López. They, together with Jesús Vázquez, served dangerous crosses in to Alberto Marí.

However, St Gallen took the lead in the 4th minute thanks to a shot by Stevanovic from outside the area. Jaume Domènech could do nothing to keep it out, as he conceded for the first time in preseason.

Valencia CF's response was immediate, with a recovery by Diego López on the edge of the area and a pass to Pablo Gozálbez inside, but his left-footed strike was stopped by goalkeeper Lukas Watkowiak.

High pressure, regaining possession in dangerous areas and runs down the wings generated superiority, especially on the right. Defensively, they were kept alert by St. Gallen, who hit a long shot from Schubert against the crossbar.

In the space of just two minutes, Valencia CF turned the game around. First it was Foulquier who, from a corner by Pepelu, took advantage of a great assist from Gabriel Paulista to convert with his heel on the goal line.

Almost on the next move, a great long pass from Pepelu to Javi Guerra enabled Alberto Marí to score his second goal of the preseason.

Shortly before the break, Fran Pérez had his third shot from outside the area, which whistled wide of the post.

For the second half, Rubén Baraja made changes to freshen up the team, introducing Cristian Rivero in goal, and Rubén Iranzo, Diakhaby and Martín Tejón in outfield positions

These latter two featured in the move for the third goal, with a great recovery by Diakhaby to open up for Tejón. He would perfectly assist Alberto Marí to score with his left foot.

With the game already decided and the customary changes in the second half, the match lost some tension, although Valencia CF continued looking for goals and Gozálbez was close to scoring with a backheel off Fran Pérez' run.

The game ended 3-1, with a match against Deportivo Alavés coming up this Saturday evening.

VALENCIA CF 3 VS. 1 FC ST. GALLEN

FC St. Gallen 1879: Lukas Watkowiak, Leonidas Stergiou ©, Justin Janitzek, Patrick Sutter, Fabian Schubert, Grégory Karlen, Nikolaj Möller, Richard van der Venne, Chima Okoroji, Mihailo Stevanovic and Noha Ndombasi. Subs: Bela Dumrath, Albin Krasniqi, Axel Rouquette, Mischa Beeli, Jonas Helg, Fabio Lymann, Gonçalo Figueirido Santos.

Valencia CF: Domènech ©, G. Paulista, Javi Guerra, Cenk Özkacar, Diego López, Pepelu, Foulquier, J. Vázquez, Fran Pérez, Pablo Gozálbez and A. Marí. Subs: C. Rivero, Diakhaby, R. Iranzo, Martín Tejón, Gayà, Hugo Duro, K. Koba Leïn, Thierry R., Hugo González, C. Tárrega, Diego Moreno.