Match Report: Derby defeat (1-0)

Valencia CF returned to derby action on Friday Night Football to take on cross-town opposition Levante UD at the Ciutat de València at 9 pm kick-off time (local time) on Matchday 27 of LaLiga Santander.

Valencia CF were off to a good start to the game. Gonçalo Guedes tried his luck from a free-kick on four minutes, but his effort went over the crossbar. Valencia CF were pressing Levante UD high up the pitch.

Valencia CF withstood Levante UD’s wave of attacks and over the 10-minute mark. Alas, Roger Martí made it 1-0 to Levante UD on 17 minutes.

Valencia CF were put on the backfoot after the goal while trying to find a foothold in the game going forward with Gonçalo Guedes as the main attacking outlet.

Valencia CF trailed Levante UD by 1-0 Roger Martí’s strike separating the sides at the intermission at the Ciutat de València.

Valencia CF emerged in the second half searching for an equaliser in possession, penning Levante UD in their own half in the early goings. Moments later, the game opened up with both sides looking to hit each other on the break.

Javi Gracia brought on Manu Vallejo who replaced Kang In over the hour mark to play as a second striker as the home side continued to dominate in the way of danger.

Manu Vallejo came close to equalising following a line-breaking Gameiro pass into the Cádiz-born who was denied by Aitor Fernández who stuck out a foot to keep it out as Javi Gracia made a double change with Patrick Cutrone and Álex Blanco replacing Kevin Gameiro and Hugo Guillamón respectively.

 Late on, Thierry Correia and Christian Oliva made way for Jasson Remesseiro and Yunush Musah. Jasper Cillessen kept it at 1-0 pulling off a magnificent stop to De Frutos’drive in the closing stages.

The scoreline remained unchanged and Valencia CF fell to a frustrating defeat in the Valencia derby.

Valencia CF will welcome Granada CF on Sunday the 21st of March at 4:15 pm at Mestalla on Matchday 28 of LaLiga Santander.  

Match Details:

1. Levante UD: Aitor Fernández, Miramón (Son, 84’), Óscar Duarte (Rober Pier, 58’), Vezo, Clerc, Bardhi, Vukcevic, De Frutos, Rochina (Toño, 84’), Roger (Sergio León, 71’) and  Morales (Malsa, 71’).

0. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Thierry Correia (Jason, 84’), Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Hugo Guillamón (Álex Blanco, 75’), Wass, Christian Oliva (Yunus Musah, 84’), Lato, Guedes, Kang In (Manu Vallejo, 62’) and Gameiro (Cutrone, 75’).

Goals: 1-0 Roger Martí,18’.

Referee: Cuadra Fernández. Booked Vezo, Lato, Bardhi, Diakhaby and Manu Vallejo.

Observations: Matchday 27 of LaLiga Santander played at the Ciutat de València.