Match Report: VCF fight back to beat SCP (1-2)

Valencia CF faced Sporting Lisbon on the 28th of July at the Jose Alvalade at 8 pm kick-off time in an all-Iberian preseason friendly in the Portuguese side presentation match. Marcelino’s side will try to get back-to-back preseason wins and gain match sharpness before the start of the season.

Valencia CF debuted their recently released third kit and they had a quick start in possession in the first minutes of the match but it was Sporting however who made it 1-0 just four minutes in with a powerful strike past Jaume.

Sporting Lisbon’s early opening goal was short-lived because five minutes later, Geoffrey Kondogbia cancelled it out with a powerful free header inside the far post in the 9th minute of the match.

Maxi Gómez came close to scoring in the 27th minute with a carbon copy to the equaliser at the far post but his header was blocked by Renan Ribeiro from point-blank range to deny the Uruguayan his second preseason goal.

Valencia CF had a double chance over the half-hour mark first Ezequiel Garay with a diagonal strike which was pushed away by the Keeper and then Mouctar Diakhaby followed it in and headed it over.

The first half finished one all with nothing to separate the sides at halftime.

Marcelino introduced a second-half lineup. Marcelino’s men had some defending to do in the opening minutes of the second half. Rodrigo Moreno won a penalty just eight minutes into the second half.  Rodrigo Moreno was felled by Sebastián Coates but the striker saw his spot-kick blocked by the keeper and up and over on the follow-up.

Valencia CF got themselves back in front thanks to a brilliant collective move. Preseason debutant Denis Cheryshev sent a delightful ball down the left channel into Rodrigo Moreno who rolled it back into Kevin Gameiro for the Frenchman to slot away over the hour mark.

Sporting Lisbon tried to come back from behind following Valencia CF’s second goal and had some chances but Marcelino’s side managed to hold out to come away with back-to-back pre-season wins and the Cinco Violinos summer trophy.

Valencia CF will take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday the 2nd of August at 7 pm BST (8 pm CET) to tribute Bruno Saltor in a testimonial pre-season match at the Amex stadium in Brighton.

Match Details:

1. Sporting CP: Renan, Thierry Correia, Coates, Mathieu, Borja, Doumbia, Wendel, Bruno Fernandes, Raphinha, Vietto, Bas Dost. Also played: Marcos Acuña, Luís Neto, Eduardo Diaby, Luiz Phellype, Gonzalo Plata, Eduardo Quaresma, Bragança and Miguel Luís.

 2. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Garay, Diakhaby, Salva Ruiz, Kondogbia, Parejo, Jason, Guedes, Manu Vallejo and Maxi Gómez. They also played: Cillessen, Piccini, Gabriel Paulista, Gayà, Coquelin, Kang In, Cheryshev, Gameiro, Rodrigo, Javi Jiménez, Racic and Fran Villalba.

Goals: 1-0 Bas Dost, m. 3; 1-1 Kondogbia m. 8; 1-2 Gameiro, m. 65

Referee: Joao Pinheiro (POR). He booked Bruno Fernandes.

Observations:

Valencia CF won the Troféu Cinco Violinos summer trophy played at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon on Sunday, July 28, 2019, before 32,154 spectators.