MATCH REPORT | Valencia CF lose 2-0 to Borussia Mönchengladbach in preseason

Valencia CF were defeated 2-0 by Borussia Mönchengladbach in their fourth preseason fixture - another test where, beyond the result, the team continued to build fitness and improve automatisms ahead of the start of the new season, against a side celebrating their 125th anniversary.

The match at Borussia Park began evenly, but after the first 15 minutes, Hack opened the scoring for the German team. Following a lucky deflection, the ball fell kindly to the forward, who was left alone in the box to beat Julen Agirrezabala.

Valencia CF tried to respond quickly with a move down the left from Gayà, who combined with Diego López to break lines and crossed into the box for Hugo Duro, but the German defence intercepted the ball before it could reach the striker.

Dani Raba stood out as one of the most active players for Valencia CF, showing personality and quality. First, he led a brilliant individual move to play in Luis Rioja on the right, whose cut-back was very close to finding Hugo Duro.

Moments later, Raba would appear again, this time with a powerful shot from outside the box that almost surprised the goalkeeper, but it narrowly went over the crossbar. After this dangerous action and a later header by Cömert that was saved, the match went into halftime.

After the break, Hugo Duro had an early chance, but his shot went straight into the hands of Moritz, the opposition goalkeeper. Right after that, what looked like a promising start to the second half was halted when the referee awarded a penalty to the German side, which Diks converted in the 50th minute to make it 2-0.

Around the hour mark, Copete made his debut for Valencia CF, partnering César Tárrega at the heart of the defence. Minutes later, striker Aimar Blázquez, one of the top scorers in his category last season with the VCF Academy, also made his debut, coming on for Hugo Duro.

Another Academy talent, Pablo López, almost scored with a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box that shaved the outside of the post.

MATCH SHEET

2. BORUSSIA MÖNCHENGLADBACH: Moritz, Chiarodia, Joe Scally, Stöger, Honorat, Tabakovic, Sander, Netz, Hack, Reitz, Elvedi.

0. VALENCIA CF: Julen Agirrezabala, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Cömert, Gayà, Pepelu, Javi Guerra, Diego López, Raba, Luis Rioja, Hugo Duro. Also played: Fran Pérez, César Tárrega, Copete, André Almeida, Jesús Vázquez, Pablo López, Cristian Rivero, Aimar Blázquez, Lucas Núñez, Rubo Iranzo, Alexander Gurendal.

Goals: 1-0 Hack, 16’; 2-0 Diks (p), 50’.
Referee: Robin Braun.

Preseason friendly played at Borussia Park to mark the 125th anniversary of the German club.