Match Report: Late home draw to Deportivo Alavés (1-1)

Valencia CF welcomed Deportivo Alavés on Saturday 24th of April at 6:30 pm kick-off at Mestalla on Matchday 32 of LaLiga Santander.

Valencia CF had a positive start to the game with Kevin Gameiro trying his luck only two minutes into the game but his shot flew over the crossbar. Valencia CF were trying to go forward and take the initiative at every opportunity.

Minutes later, Gonçalo Guedes, beat Ximo Navarro and rolled it into Maxi Gómez whose effort was put behind for a corner kick Florian Lejeune and only a minute later, Hugo Guillamón collected a loose ball in the area and caught it on the half volley.

The tempo of the game picked up with Valencia CF dictating the tempo and play. Alas, Lucas Pérez was bringing menace at the other end for the away side who had a goal ruled out for offside in the build-up earlier on.

The contest evened out in the closing stages of the first half, but it finished goalless with nothing to separate the sides at half-time and all to play for in the second half.  

Valencia CF came out in the second half looking to break the deadlock. Uroš Račić blasted it over the bar with a powerful effort. Shortly after, Gonçalo Guedes put on the afterburners and pulled it back into Kevin Gameiro whose shot fizzed just over the bar.

Kevin Gameiro appeared to have scored, but his goal was ruled out for offside against Maxi Gómez in the build-up to the goal after a VAR review on the hour mark.

The away side enjoyed two chances one of which brought a diving save out of Jaume and José Luis Gayà put a last-ditch block in to deny Edgar in quick succession as The away side continue to pile the pressure on Valencia CF who were defending resolutely.

Javi Gracia made a like-for-like change bringing on Manu Vallejo for Kevin Gameiro with little under 15 minutes plus stoppage time left to play at Mestalla.

John Guidetti made it 0-1 to Deportivo Alaves on 83 minutes and shortly after, Javi López, who was on the Deportivo Alavés bench was sent off for a straight red.

Valencia CF refused to back down after the goal and found the equaliser through José Luis Gayà who was alive in the box to turn in Maxi Gómez’s effort which was palmed away by Pacheco but smartly followed in by Jose Luis Gayà to a point with a tap-in for a late equaliser.

 Both sides tried to score the winner in stoppage time, but the game finished one apiece and the points were shared at full-time.

Valencia CF will welcome FC Barcelona on Sunday the 2nd of May at Mestalla at 9 pm kick-off time for the standout fixture on Matchday 33 of LaLiga Santander where Valencia CF will try to collect all three points at the Copa del Rey winners' expense. 

Match Details:

1. VALENCIA CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Hugo Guillamón, Gayà, Racic, Carlos Soler, Yunus Musah (Cheryshev, 61’), Guedes, Gameiro (Manu Vallejo, 77’) and Maxi Gómez.

1. DEPORTIVO ALAVÉS: Pacheco, Ximo Navarro, Laguardia, Lejeune, Martin, Tomás Pina (Manu García, 88’), Battaglia, Jota (Luis Rioja, 72’), Edgar (Guidetti, 71’), Lucas Pérez (Pere Pons, 63’) and Joselu (Deyverson, 88’)

Goals: 0-1 Guidetti, 83’; 1-1 Gayà, 88’.

Referee: Cuadra Fernández. Booked Gayà, Hugo Guillamón, Manu Vallejo and Carlos Soler.

Observations: Matchday 32 of LaLiga Santander held at Mestalla.