Match Report: Valencia CF return to winning ways away at Elche CF (0-2)

Valencia CF visited neighbouring side Elche CF on Sunday, 23rd of April at 2 pm kick-off time at the Estadio Martínez Valero on Matchday 30 of LaLiga where Valencia CF played in their Senyera strip in the regional derby.

The game started at a breakneck speed in sweltering weather conditions with the home side on the front foot in the opening minutes of the game.

However, the first chance fell to Nico González who rattled the crossbar in the 5th minute following a corner kick.

Valencia CF struggled to find a foothold in the game in the next few minutes. Albeit the Valencia CF fanbase turned out in numbers and got behind the team right from the off at the Martínez Valero.

Valencia CF got themselves in front in the 20th minute through route one football a Giorgi Mardashvili goal kick was expertly headed on by Edinson Cavani into Samuel Lino's path who forcefully bundled the ball home past Edgar Badía to make it 0-1 for Valencia CF.

A minute later, Yunus Musah came mighty close to adding a second following good work down the flank, but the ball was punched away by Edgar Badía.

Valencia CF dictated play and the tempo of the game with Samuel Lino as a real handful for the home side who came close to adding a second with a superb strike, but he was denied by Edgar Badía over the half-hour mark.

Valencia CF got themselves two goals to the good following a great turnover and magnificent work down the left-hand side from José Luis Gayà who delivered a teasing ball into the box which was sliced into the back of his own net by Gonzalo Verdú.  

Valencia CF edged out Elche CF by a healthy 0-2 lead at the intermission at the Estadio Martínez Valero.

Rubén Baraja made a half-time substitution in midfield with Nico González making way for Valencia CF youngster Javi Guerra.

Valencia CF had a quiet start to the second half with Elche CF on the attack and Valencia CF looking to add a third on the break which Samuel Lino nearly did following a Yunus Musah break, but Samuel Lino dragged his effort just wide of the post.

Valencia CF had some defending to do coming into the hour mark at the Estadio Martínez Valero under the hour mark which they managed to withstand.

Rubén Baraja made a double substitution with Valencia CF youngster, Alberto Marí making his first-team debut and Samuel Lino making way for Toni Lato with twenty minutes plus stoppage time left to play.

Alberto Marí came close to making an impact with a fine delivery into Toni Lato. Later on, yet another Valencia CF youngster came on in the manner of Diego López replacing Yunus Musah up top.

Valencia CF managed to see the game out to return to winning ways away from home their maiden since before the turn of the year with a comfortable 0-2 away win over the regional neighbours Elche CF.

Valencia CF will host Real Valladolid CF in a midweek six-pointer at Mestalla on Thursday, 27th of April at 7:30 pm kick-off time on Matchday 31st of LaLiga.          

MATCH SHEET:

0. ELCHE CF: Edgar Badía, Morente (Josan, 79'), Mascarell, Gonzalo Verdú (Enzo Roco, 46'), Pedro Bigas (Blanco, 17'), Clerc, Nwankwo, Fidel, Raúl Guti (Collado, 64') Pere Milla (Nico Fernánez, 64') and Lucas Boyé.

VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby (Cömert, 90'), Cenk, Gayà, Yunus Musah (Diego López, 79'), Nico (Javi Guerra, 46'), André Almeida, Samuel Lino (Alberto Marí, 72') and Cavani (Lato, 72').

GOALS: 0-1 Samuel Lino, 19'; 0-2 Gonzalo Verdú (OG) 42'.

REFEREE: Cuadra Fernández showed Yellow cards for Yunus Musah, Nwankwo, Enzo Roco and Carlos Clerc.

VAR: Medié Jiménez (C. Catalán).

OBSERVATIONS: LaLiga Matchday 30  played at the Estadio Martínez Valero in Elche. A minute's silence was observed before kick-off for the passing of late Elche CF president José Sepulcre Fuentes.