Match Report: Valencia CF lose out to Brentford FC in final preseason game (2-1)

Valencia CF took on Brentford FC in their final preseason fixture on Saturday, August 7th, visiting the brand new Brentford Community Stadium for the match against the Premier League side.

The team made a positive start to the game with a teasing Jesús Vázquez ball across the face of goal, which took a slight deflection to spin away from the onrushing Rubén Sobrino.  

Minutes later, however, it was Brentford FC who nearly capitalised on a Valencia CF slip-up at the back: Marcus Fross put the ball into the net, but his strike was ruled out for offside.  

Valencia CF began to grow into the game, with Jason Remeseiro trying his luck from distance in an effort that sailed over the bar. José Bordalás' men were enjoying more possession and surging forward with probing runs down the wings, in their quest for an opening goal.

Unfortunately, they suffered a setback in the form of an injury to Alessandro Burlamaqui from a rash challenge, and were forced into a substitution to bring on Javi Guerra in his stead midway through the first half.  

Breaking the deadlock, Diego López put Valencia CF in front just three minutes later, after latching onto Hugo Guillamón's deft long ball. He weaved his way into the opposition box, cutting inside off the left wing, shifting the ball onto his right foot and slotting a shot inside the near post.    

The 0-1 lead provided the impetus for Valencia CF to take the initiative after the opening goal, with fine link-up play and winning the ball back high up the pitch. The advantage remained going into the interval.

Valencia CF came out in the second half looking to dictate play and possession amidst rough weather conditions which made the playing surface slippery in the early going.

Another substitution was required due to injury, as Jason was caught by Henry on the follow-through and was unable to continue, making way for Denis Cheryshev. 

Inside the VCF box, Brentford had a penalty appeal against Joseda for a challenge on Henry checked by VAR, which was ruled out. Bordalás made wholesale changes during the second stanza, bringing on Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Maxi Gómez, Gonçalo Guedes and Fran Pérez for Hugo Guillamón, Rubén Sobrino, Manu Vallejo, Diego López and Joseda.

What followed were two Brentford goals: A corner kick was turned in by Ethan Pinnock just past the hour, then Frank Onyeka made it 2-1 to the Bees with a goal of his own.

Valencia CF tried to get back into the game by breaking forward at every opportunity, in what was a back-and-forth closing salvo, but the scoreline remained unchanged. The 2-1 loss is the team's final preparation for the LaLiga season opener, which pits them at home to Getafe CF this coming Friday.

Match Details:

Brentford FC: Raya, Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock, Canós, Janelt, Norgaard, Henry, Mbeumo, Ghoddos ,ForssOnyeka, Dervisoglu, Sorensen, Roerslev, Bidstrup and Peart-Harris.

1.- Valencia CF: C. Rivero, Hugo G, R. Sobrino, Diakhaby, Manu Vallejo, Jason, Esquerdo, J. Vázquez, Diego López, Joseda y Burlamaqui, Javi Guerra, Cheryshev, Joseda, Diego López, R. Sobrino, Manu Vallejo and Hugo Guillamón.

Goals: 0-1, m. 30 Diego López.  1-1, m. 64 Pinnock. 2-1, m.70 Onyeka

Observations: Seventh preseason friendly held at Brentford Community Stadium.