Match Report: VCF forced to settle for a point in valiant fightback away at Deportivo Alavés (2-2)

Valencia CF visited Deprtivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza on Sunday 22nd of November at 9 pm-kick-off time on Matchday 10 of LaLiga Santander following the international break. 

Valencia CF were off to a poor start to the game as the Basque side got themselves in front only two minutes into the first half  Ximo Navarro made it 1-0 to Deportivo Alavés.

The first Valencia CF chance fell to Gabriel Paulista who tried his luck with a forceful drive on eight minutes but it flew over the bar. Alas, things took a turn for the worse when minutes later, the referee awarded a spot-kick to Deportivo Alavés and Lucas Pérez made it 2-0 to Deportivo Alavés.

 After the hosts' second goal the game got cagier with a sloppy spell as Valencia CF were looking to settle into the game. Daniel Wass tried his luck from distance with a powerful drive but it whistled over the cross bar in the closing stages of the first half.

Denis Cheryshev had the last kick of the half with a cross-cum shot which was gathered by Pacheco.

Valencia CF trailed Deportivo Alavés by 2-0 at half-time.

Valencia CF came out looking to get back in the game knocking the ball sideways trying to find an opening and on 51 minutes, Denis Cheryshev had an effort going narrowly off target after a great Kang In pass.

Javi Gracia shuffled his pack bringing on Manu Vallejo who replaced Denis Cheryshev and Kang In who made way for Gonçalo Guedes.

Moments later, Kevin Gameiro had a one on one with Pachecho but his effort struck the goalkeeper’s midriff from a tight angle just shy of the hour mark and a minute later, Valencia CF had a penalty call on Gonçalo Guedes going the other way.

Valencia CF grew in the game so much so that they were closing down the opposition in their own box and creating menace up front.

Persistence paid dividends on 72 minutes following a well-worked move between Uroš Račić who slipped it into Carlos Soler who rolled into Gameiro who got to the byline picked out Manu Vallejo and delivered a return ball that the Cadiz-born polished off with an easy tap-in to half the two-goal deficit.

 Three minutes later, Hugo Guillamón redeemed himself with a beautiful free header past Pacheco after getting on the end of a Carlos Soler free-kick.

Valencia CF piled more pressure on the hosts and floodgates opened.  Uroš Račić had a powerful drive blocked behind by a defender.

Valencia CF went all out for the winning goal. On 84 minutes they tore away on the break with two of their speedsters Yunus Musah and Gonçalo Guedes who sent it into Wass but his shot went off target.

Jose Luis Gayà had an effort turned behind for a corner kick as the game saw a lengthy extra time of eight minutes added on due to the number of stoppages in the game.

 Aforementioned Jose Luis Gayà was forced off the field with an injury and Toni Lato came on to replace him.

Valencia CF had a series of gilt-edged chances through Kevin Gameiro who blasted his effort over the crossbar in a goal-gaping opportunity following a clever Gonçalo Guedes return ball.

Manu Vallejo had a one on one with Pacheco as he tried to lift the ball over the keeper with the last kick of the game.The game finished 2-2 and the spoils were shared.

Valencia CF will welcome Atletico Madrid at Mestalla on Saturday 29th of November at 4:15 pm kick-off time on matchday 11 of Laliga Santander.

Match Details:

2. Deportivo Alavés: Pacheco, Ximo Navarro, Lejeune, Laguardia, Duarte; Jota Peleteiro (Manu García 55’), Battaglia, Tomás Pina, Rioja, Lucas Pérez (Borja Sainz, 70’) and Joselu (Guidetti, 70’).

2. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Hugo Guillamón, Gayà (Lato, 93’), Racic, Carlos Soler, Yunus Musah, Cheryshev (Manu Vallejo, 58’), Kang In (Guedes, 58’) and Gameiro.

Goals: 1-0, Ximo Navarro, 2’; Lucas Pérez (p.) 15’; 2-1 Manu Vallejo, 72’; 2-2 Hugo Guillamón, 77’.

Referee: Santiago Jaime Latre. Booked Guillamón for VCF and Lejeune for Deportivo Alavés.

Observations: Matchday 10 of LaLiga Santander played at Mendizorrotza, Vitoria.