Match Report: VCF lose out to Celta Vigo in opening away game (1-0)

Valencia CF took on Celta Vigo at 9 pm (CET) on matchday 2 of LaLiga Santander. Marcelino’s looking to get their first away win of the season after being held to a last gasp draw at home in their season opener.

The first half started at a high tempo with the home side dominating and having plenty of possession as Marcelino’s side were put on the back foot with plenty of defending to do inside the first ten minutes.

Gabriel Fernandez broke the deadlock for Celta Vigo just shy of the 15-minute mark after a solo move from Iago Aspas which rolled it into Gabriel Fernández who flicked it beyond Jasper Cillessen.

The first clear-cut chance for Valencia CF fell to Daniel who brought the save out of Ruben Fernández who tipped it onto the crossbar and then sending the follow-up shot over in the 27th minute.

Two minutes later, former Celta player and new Valencia CF signing nearly got on the end of an inviting Kevin Gameiro low cross but the ball beyond him rolled across the Celta Vigo six-yard box. 

Portuguese winger, Gonçalo Guedes tried his luck in the closing minutes after good work from Kevin Gameiro who dribbled past two markers as Dani Parejo managed to keep it in play and rolled into Guedes who dragged it wide.

Maxi Gómez had the final kick of the opening half on the turn but his shot was deflected behind for a corner kick by Joseph Aidoo in the 43rd minute.

The first half finished 1-0 to Celta Vigo with Gabriel Fernandez’s goal separating the sides at the interval. 

Valencia CF came out in the second half trying to level things up. Jose Luis Gayà fired it into the side netting after great work down the left. Minutes later, Jasper made a great save to deny a second goal to the home side.

Marcelino made a like for like double substitution on the hour mark Gabriel Paulista and Maxi Gómez making way for Mouctar Diakhaby and Rodrigo Moreno respectively as Celta Vigo were dominating proceedings.

Valencia CF and Celta exchanged spell of possession for the final 15 minutes. Ferran Torres got on the end of a dangerous cross but sent it wide as Cillessen kept Valencia CF in the game with a superb save to Denis Suarez’s effort. 

Celta Vigo were awarded a stoppage-time spot-kick but Jasper Cillessen kept it out going down to the right to keep it at 1-0. Valencia CF will welcome newly-promoted side RCD Mallorca on Matchday 3at Mestalla on Sunday the 1st of September at 5 pm. 

Match Details:

 1. Celta Vigo: Rubén, Kevin, Araujo, Aidoo, Olaza, Beltrán, Lobotka, Brais Méndez (Pape Cheikh, m. 77), Denis Suárez, Iago Aspas (Hugo Mallo, m. 89) and G. Fernández (Santi Mina, m. 73).

0. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Piccini (Ferran, m. 67), Garay, Gabriel Paulista (Diakhaby, m. 61), Gayá, Wass, Kondogbia, Parejo, Guedes, Maxi Gómez (Rodrigo M., m. 60) and Gameiro.

Goals: 1-0. M. 15: Fernández.

Referee: Hernández Hernández,. He booked Olaza for Celta Vigo and Gayà and Parejo for Valencia CF.

Observations: Matchday 2 of LaLiga 2019-20 played at the Abanca Balaídos stadium.