Match Report: Valencia CF beat AC Milan in penalty shootout to win Trofeu Taronja

Valencia CF welcomed AC Milan in the 49th edition of the Trofeu Taronja curtain-raiser on Wednesday 4th of August at 8:30 pm kick-off time at Mestalla.

Valencia CF were off to a cagey start to the Trofeu Taronja curtain-raiser but looking to find a foothold in the early goings of the game.

Jason made a bursting run down the right wing following a great probing Thierry ball down the channel and the subsequent cross fell to Gayà who tried to put it back in but Maignan was alert to it.

A minute later, Gabriel Paulista put in a last-ditch sliding tackle before Rafael Leao, but Giorgi Mamardashvili punched it away to clear away the danger at the other end.

Denis Cheryshev effort went straight into Maignan’s hands following a textbook counter-attack where Maxi Gómez released the Russian but his effort was easily dealt with by the goalkeeper.  

Valencia CF were setting out their stalls, displaying a resolute defence and standing tall before an AC Milan side who were bringing menace into the Valencia CF box at every opportunity.  

 José Luis Gayà whipped in a bending cross into Maxi Gómez but his effort sailed over the bar over the half-hour mark. 

Rafael Leão had a goal ruled out for offside in the build-up in the closing minutes of the first half. 

Valencia CF kept on showcasing their defensive robustness as the first half finished goalless with nothing to separate the sides at half-time and all to play for in the second half at the Trofeu Taronja curtain-raiser.

Valencia CF  had a strong start to the second half as José Bordala’s side enjoyed a fine link-up play between Alessandro Burlamaqui,Thierry Correia and  Maxi Gómez but the Uruguayan could not get on the end of it two minutes into the second half.

Minutes later, Thierry Correia latched onto a floated ball but his powerful effort was turned away by Maignan as Maxi Goméz tried to follow it in.

Valencia CF were settling into a fast-paced second half trying to use the width to get high up the pitch.

Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced into a fine save to Brahim’s effort turning onto the underside of the post on the hour mark.   

José Bordalás made a double change with little over twenty minutes plus stoppage time left to play bringing on Esquerdo and Rubén Sobrino who replaced Jason and Alessandro Burlamaqui respectively.

Maxi Gómez was brought down inside the opposition box following a Kalulu challenge but the referee waved away the appeal despite protests from the Mestalla crowd.

Both sides kept on pushing for the winning goal amidst eventful closing minutes of the first half but the Trofeu Taronja curtain-raiser went straight into penalties following the 90 minutes plus stoppage time added on. 

Valencia CF managed to beat AC Milan in a penalty shootout with a full set of penalties scored with Krunic sending it off target and Guillamón scoring the winning spot-kick to seal the 49th edition of the Trofeu Taronja curtain raiser.

Match Details:

0. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Alderete, Gayà, Hugo Guillamón, Burlamaqui, Jason Remeseiro, Cheryshev, Guedes, Maxi Gómez,Sobrino, Esquerdo, Manu Vallejo, Diakhaby and Jesús Vázquez.

0. AC MILAN: Maignan, Ballo-Touré, Romagnoli, Tomori, Conti, Maldini, Pobega, Brahim, Tonali, Castillejo, Rafael Leao,Tatarusanu, Krunic, Kalulu, Saelemaekers, Giroud, Theo Hernández, Calabria, Gabbia, Rebic and Di Gesu.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT: 1-0 Manu Vallejo; 1-1 Giroud; 2-1 Maxi Gómez; 2-2 Calabria; 3-2 Guedes; 4-2 Esquerdo; 4-3 Rebic; 5-3 Hugo Guillamón.

REFEREE: Melero López

OBSERVATIONS: XLIX edition of the Trofeu Taronja curtain-raiser held at Mestalla before 3,000 spectators in attendance. Club legend and ambassador Ricardo Arias, handed over the trophy to Gabriel Paulista.