UYL Match Report: VCF U19 lose home opener to Ajax U19 in high-scoring game (3-5)

Valencia CF U19’s hosted group leaders for the first time in the competition at VCF Paterna Training Ground at the Antonio Puchades Ground on the 2nd of October at 2 pm looking to pick up their first UEFA Youth League win in front of the home fans after having picked up a valuable point away at Chelsea FC.

Valencia started off at high intensity at both ends with VCF in possession in the opening minutes of the match.  The first VCF 19 chance fell to Musah but his powerful shot went off target on seven minutes.  

Ajax went ahead over the quarter-hour mark against the run of play through Youri Regeer who had two bites of the cherry with an acrobatic effort past the Valencia CF keeper. Things took a turn for the worse when Ajax put themselves two goals to the good when Musapa poked it home from close range halfway through the first half.  

Valencia U19’s refused to back down and pulled one back through Pablo Gozálbez who collected the rebound which was pushed into his path by the Ajax keeper and he slotted it away following an inviting square ball from the right flank. 

 Ajax U19’s restored their two-goal lead in the closing minutes through the aforementioned Youri Reeger who got on the end of an early Taylor cross and nodded it into the back of the net. Valencia CF U19 were trailing 1-3 at the break in a frantic opening period.

Valencia CFU19 came out in the second half looking to cut the deficit and they enjoyed two early chances through Koba whose free-kick went over the bar and then Jordi Escobar who tried his luck but his shot sailed over the bar.

VCF U19 went further behind as two own goals piled on the agony despite having enjoyed good passages of play. Valencia CF U19 pulled another goal back following a great exchange in the box a Jordi Escobar back-heeled flick into David Ruiz Montero who drilled it home.

Gonzalez Sotos was brought down by with 20 minutes of normal time left to play. Jordi Escobar saw his spot-kick saved by the keeper but Jordi Escobar was first to the ball to turn in the rebound.   

The scoreline remained unchanged despite enjoying further clear-cut chances and the game finished 3-5 to Ajax. Valencia CF U19 will visit LOSC Lille on the 23rd of October at LOSC Lille Training Ground.

Match Details:

 3. VCF U19: Joaquín Blázquez, Joseda Menargues, Hugo Guillamón ©, Guillem Molina, David Ruiz (Xavi Estacio, m. 78), Koba Lein, Yunus Musah (Pedro Alemañ, m. 61), Pascu, Noha NDombasi (Hugo González, m. 46), Jordi Escobar and Pablo Gozálbez

 5. AFC Ajax U19: Reiziger, Van Gelderen, Rensch, Musampa, Salah-Eddine, Llansana (c) (Van der Sloot, m. 86), Regeer (Tasci, m. 72), Taylor, Hansen, Q. Timber and Ünüvar (De Waaal, m. 90).

Goals: 0-1. M. 16: Regeer. 0-2. M. 22: Musampa. 1-2. M. 26: Pablo Gozálbez. 1-3. M. 41: Regeer. 1-4. M. 51: Guillem Molina  (OG)1-5. M. 59: Regeer. 2-5. M. 68: David Ruiz. 3-5. M. 71: Hugo González.

Referee: Bojan Pandžić (Suecia). Booked  Pascu and Jordi Escobar for VCF U 19.  Ünüvar, Van Gelderen and Llansana for AFC Ajax U19

Observations: UYL matchday 2 played on Wednesday at 2 pm at the Antonio Puchades Ground in front of a 1,000 spectators in attendance.