Match Report: Valencia CF win final preseason friendly 3-1

Valencia CF closed the 2020/21 preseason with a 3-1 win against FC Cartagena at the Antonio Puchades, thanks to a brace from Kang In and a strike from Jason.

Coach Javi Gracia used the final friendly of the summer to experiment with a change of formation, fielding three centre backs and two fullbacks. Geoffrey Kondogbia, Denis Cheryshev and Mouctar Diakhaby were all used in the starting lineup, playing their first minutes of preseason.

Kang In kicked off the action with a long shot from outside the box, in the opening opportunity of the game. The possession and play evened out as the first period progressed, but Valencia CF nearly took the lead through Manu Vallejo just after the half hour -goalkeeper Marc Martinez blocking his shot. A further strike from Maxi Gomez went off target before the end of the first half, which concluded goalless.

After the restart, Gracia made two changes to his lineup, whilst Cartagena made wholesale changes. The visitors forced a save from Jaume off a Cayarga free kick, and would take the lead on 64 minutes when Gabriel Paulista deflected a free kick into his own net.

The Valencia CF formation was switched back to the more traditional 4-4-2, and the team rapidly created two clear chances. Kang In only just missed with a swerving shot, and Rubén Sobrino hit the post just a minute later.

The equaliser came 69 minutes into the game, as Kang In capitalised on a fumble by the opposition goalkeeper to turn the ball in.

Four minutes later, Jason hit a powerful strike into the net, and Kang In completed the scoring with a great shot from an Alex Blanco assist.

Late on, youth players like Hugo González and Fran Pérez were given run-outs with the first team, who completed their preseason with an unbeaten record.

Valencia CF 3 vs. 1 FC Cartagena:

Valencia CF: J. Domènech, Jason (Yunus, min. 77), G. Paulista, Diakhaby (Guillem Molina, min. 61), Mangala, Cheryshev (Centelles, min. 46), Kondogbia (Račić, min. 61), Esquerdo (Fran Pérez, min. 85), Manu Vallejo (Álex Blanco, min. 68), Kang In (Hugo González, min. 85) and Maxi Gómez (Rubén Sobrino, min. 46).

1. FC Cartagena: Marc Martínez, Álex Martín, Uri, Cordero ©, Verza, José Ángel, Nacho Gil, Carlos D., Vinicius Tanque, Markel y Kleandro. También jugaron Esteve, Delmás, Andújar, Forniés, Carrasquilla, Sergio Lozano, Clavería, Cayarga, Simón Moreno and William.

Goals: 0-1, min. 64: Gabriel Paulista O.G. 1-1, min. 69: Kang In. 2-1, min. 73: Jason. 3-1, min. 80: Kang In.