Match Report: Ten-man Valencia CF return to winning ways with valiant away win over Celta Vigo (1-2)

Valencia CF visited Celta Vigo on the 14th of May at 2 pm kick-off time at the Abanca Balaídos on matchday 34 of LaLiga in yet another all-important six-pointer at Spanish lunchtime on the road for Rubén Baraja's side.

Valencia CF  were off to a slow start in the early goings with Celta Vigo dictating play in the early goings of the game at the Abanca Balidos.

Minutes later, Valencia CF opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Justin Kluivert who swept the ball home past Iván Villar following a Diego López surging run down the right flank who squared the ball into Justin Kluivert for the Dutchman to prod the ball home beyond Celta Vigo’s goalkeeper.

Valencia CF trying to hit Celta Vigo on the break at every opportunity. Shortly after, Giorgi Mamardashvily pulled off a magnificent save to deny Carles Pérez halfway through the first half.

Valencia CF set their stalls out in defence over the half-hour mark but searched to set out on the counter as the game saw a sloppy spell in the closing stages of the first half where Valencia CF had to withstand a few Celta Vigo waves of attacks.

Valencia CF managed to hold out and edged out Celta Vigo by a 0-1 scoreline at the break.

The same script continued in the second stanza with Valencia CF looking to play a direct brand of football through looking balls in behind the Celta Vigo defence in the first few minutes as the home side upped the intensity in possession.

Giorgi Mamardashvili pulled off a scintillating save to deny Sefferovic and seconds later, Justin Kluivert came mighty close to scoring a carbon copy of a brace at the other end. 

Later on, Diego López on the half volley but he was denied a goal by Iván Villar as Valencia CF had a flurry of chances in quick succession.

Alas,Harry Sefferovic made it 1-1 to Celta Vigo against the run of play on the hour mark as Rubén Baraja shuffled his pack bringing on Yunus Musah and Toni Lato for Diego López and Samuel Lino.

Rubén Baraja made another double substitution with Hugo Duro and Alberto Marí replacing Justin Kluivert and Javi Guerra for the remainder of the game at the Abanca Balaidos stadium.

However, there was a happy twist in the tale when Valencia CF youngster,Alberto Marí produced heroics after getting on the end of a pinpoint Dimitri Foulquier delivery. The youngster rose highest to nod the ball beyond Iván Villar in the 88th minute to score the winning goal to make the away end erupt in jubitaltion.

Gabriel Paulista was sent off for a double booking deep into stoppage time, but they managed to hold out to come away with a morale-boosting away win over Celta Vigo from the Abanca Balaidos.

Valencia CF will welcome Real Madrid on Sunday the 21st of May at Mestalla at 6:30 pm on Matchday 35 of LaLiga which will also mark the 100th anniversary of Mestalla as Rubén Baraja’s side will try to celebrate it with a home win. 

Match Sheet:

1.  CELTA VIGO: Iván Villar, Hugo Mallo, Franco Cervi, Unai Núñez, Gabri Veiga (Swedberg, 91’), Luca de la Torre (Óscar Rodríguez, 55’), Fran Beltrán, Renato Tapia, Carles Pérez, Seferovic (Paciencia, 78’) and Iago Aspas (Larsen, 55’).

2. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Gabriel Paulista, Gayà, Nico, André Almeida, Javi Guerra (Alberto Marí, 79’), Samuel Lino (Lato, 61’), Diego López (Yunus Musah, 61’) and Justin Kluivert (Hugo Duro, 79’).

GOALS: 0-1 Justin Kluivert, 7’; 1-1 Seferovic, 59’; 1-2 Alberto Marí, 87’.

REFEREE: Soto Grado (C. Riojano). Booked Diakhaby, Luca de la Torre, Gabri Veiga, Ilaix Moriba, Renato Tapia and André Almeida. Sent off Gabriel Paulista for a double booking.

VAR: Medié Jiménez (C. Catalán).

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 34 held at the Estadio Abanca Balaídos with 197 travelling fans in the away end.