Valencia CF open season with 4-2 win over Levante UD

Valencia CF opened the 2020/21 season with a 4-2 victory over Levante UD in the derby, putting their first three points on the board and claiming a first win under new coach Javi Gracia. Two goals from Manu Vallejo, as well as strikes from Gabriel Paulista and Maxi Gómez, saw the team respond well to twice going behind.

Levante UD provided a setback within the opening minute, as José Luis Morales scored for the visitors. From there, it was up to Valencia CF to fight back, and they ran play through Gonçalo Guedes, debuting teenager Yunus Musah and the clever movement of Kang In.

It was through the South Korean star that Valencia CF found the equaliser, as he whipped in a corner that was headed home by Gabriel Paulista inside the box, making it 1-1.

From there, Eliaquim Mangala was taken off injured and replaced by Mouctar Diakhaby, Levante UD had a goal disallowed for handball, and the away team went in front again: Morales scored his second of the night, on 36 minutes.

Valencia CF would go into the break on terms, however, and it was Maxi Gómez who levelled. Kang In was again pivotal, threading the ball through for the Uruguayan to finish past Aitor.

In the second half the team looked more dangerous, and Musah would hit the crossbar early on.

VCF finally took the lead thanks to a slick move involving a Denis Cheryshev pass, a dummy from Gómez and a finish from Manu Vallejo.

The striker put the final touches on the derb victory with the definitive goal in stoppage time, claiming his first brace for the club and making Valencia CF the top scoring side on the opening matchday of the season.

Valencia CF 4 vs. 2 Levante UD

4. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, G. Paulista, Mangala (Diakhaby, min. 16), Gayà ©, Kondogbia, Esquerdo (Racic, min. 71), Y. Musah (Rubén Sobrino, min. 77), Guedes (Cheryshev, min. 71), Kang In (Manu Vallejo, min. 71) and Maxi Gómez.

2. Levante UD: Aitor Fernández, Miramón, O. Duarte (Coke, min. 85), Rober Pier, Clerc, Campaña, Melero (Vukcevic, min. 76), Radoja (Postigo, min. 85), Bardhi (De Frutos, min. 76), A.J. Morales © and Sergio León (Dani Gómez, min. 59).

Goals: 0-1, min. 1: Morales. 1-1, min. 11: G. Paulista. 1-2, min. 36: Morales. 2-2, min. 39: Maxi Gómez. 3-2, min. 74: Manu Vallejo. 4-2, min. 90+3: Manu Vallejo.