Match Report: VCF lose out to Inter on penalties (1-1)

Valencia CF took on Inter Milan for their final game of the pre-season in the 48th edition of the bwin Trofeo Naranja curtain-raiser at 9:30 pm kick-off time at Mestalla. Inter Milan took part in the first-ever edition of the summer trophy.

Marcelino used the same starting eleven to the one he used in that memorable the Copa del Rey final win in Seville. Inter Milan started in possession as Valencia CF were looking to rob off and get on the break.

 Carlos Soler had the first sight of goal in the 2nd minute of the game following a great Rodrigo Moreno recovery but his shot grazed past the post as Valencia CF had a lively start to the game.

Carlos Soler tried his luck from outside the box looking to take an early lead but his shot went narrowly wide of the post. Valencia CF were showing the stalls out in attack who were dominating in terms of chances.

Kevin Gameiro came close to scoring over the 10- minute mark but his shot was deflected wide. Carlos Soler almost lobbed the keeper after a smart Gameiro run just short of the half-hour mark.

Carlos Soler, Valencia CF’s main first-half attacking outlet got his reward in brilliant fashion with a delightful sprawling header past Handanovic following great work down the left from Guedes who whipped a perfectly weighted ball in for Carlos Soler to run onto.

The first half between Valencia CF and Inter Milan finished 1-0 for Valencia CF with Carlos Soler’s goal proving the difference between the two sides at half time.

Marcelino made three changes at half-time. Kondogbia replaced Francis Coquelin, Daniel Wass made way for Cristiano Piccini and Jasper Cillessen was given his home unofficial debut in goal. 

Marcelino’s side picked up were they left off in the first half looking to extend their lead in the second half with two counter-attacks in the manner of Rodrigo and Carlos Soler with nothing to show for either of them.

Little of the second half was played amidst multiple changes from both sides and cooling breaks and just as Valencia CF looked on course for a win, Inter Milan got back on level terms from the spot through Politano with ten minutes of normal time left to play.

Denis Cheryshev came might close to grabbing a last gasp winner on the break as he tried to round the keeper but a defender cleared it off the line to take the Trofeo Naraja curtain-raiser to penalties. 

Valencia CF lost out to inter on penalties 5-7 to inter Milan in a pre-season penalty shoot-out. Attention now turns to LaLiga as Valencia CF will be back at Mestalla on Saturday 17 of August at 7 pm against Real Sociedad for their season opener.

Match Details:

VALENCIA CF 1 - 1 FC INTER

Penalty shoot-out: 1-0 Kang In; 1-1 Gagliardini; 2-1 Ferran Torres; 2-2 Neighbor; 3-2 Cheryshev; 3-3 Dimarco; 4-3 Maxi Gómez; 4-4 Esposito; 5-4 Even; 5-5 Longo; 6-5 Kondogbia; 6-6 Asamoah; 6-7 Bastoni.

Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Garay, Gayà, Coquelin, Parejo, Carlos Soler, Guedes, Gameiro and Rodrigo. They also played: Cillessen, Piccini, Kondogbia, Salva Ruiz, Maxi Gómez, Cheryshev, Ferran Torres and Kang In.

FC Inter: Handanovic, D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar, Candreva, Barella, Brozovic, Sensi, Dalbert, Lautaro and Politano. They also played: Gagliardini, Neighbor, Asamoah, Esposito, Bastoni, Longo, Borja Valero and Dimarco.

Goals: 1-0 Soler, min 38; 1-1 Politano, min 81.

Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez. He booked Wass (24 ’) and Skriniar (52’).

Observations: Before the start of the match, recognition was given to Ferran Torres, Carlos Soler, Kang In and Hugo Guillamón, players trained in the Valencia CF Academy who have recently picked up international silverware for their respective national teams The bwinTrofeo Naranja 2019 took place played at Mestalla before 44,079 spectators.