Kondogbia, Cheryshev and Diakhaby return to action

Three Valencia CF players returned to action in the preseason friendly against FC Cartagena at the Ciudad Deportiva, as Geoffrey Kondogbia, Mouctar Diakhaby and Denis Cheryshev enjoyed their first minutes of summer action.

The trio, who have been recovering from respective injuries and health conditions over the past few weeks, were named by Javi Gracia in his starting lineup. None of them had featured for VCF since the final LaLiga game of 2019/20.

Cheryshev would play 45 minutes against the newly promoted Segunda División side, before being replaced at half time by Alex Centelles. Kondogbia and Diakhaby both lasted an hour, before Uros Racic and Guillem Molina were brought on in their stead.

With the return to availability of the three first team regulars, Javi Gracia has increased options for the LaLiga season opener against Levante UD next weekend.