Match Report: Injury-time goal ends VCF title defence in Granada (2-1)

Valencia CF made a trip down south to Andalusia to visit Granada CF on Tuesday night for their Copa del Rey quarter-finals knockout tie at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes at 9 pm kick-off time (CET).

Valencia CF had a slow start to the game as former VCF man, Roberto Soldado made it 1-0 to Granada CF. Minutes later, Rodrigo Moreno could not meet Ferran Torres’ pass on seven minutes. Jaume Doménech was called into action a minute later.

Rodrigo Moreno thought he had equalised over the quarter-hour following a delightful Daniel Parejo ball but it was ruled out for a fractional offside in the build-up after a VAR review. Valencia CF kept on pushing for an equaliser having two clear-cut chances.

First Maximilliano Gómez who was denied the equaliser with a sliding clearance off the line from Jesús Vallejo and then Carlos Soler who got his shot off after moving the ball around quickly from side to side.

Rodrigo Moreno brought Valencia CF back on level terms at the second time of asking to get himself off the mark in the Copa del Rey with a perfectly side-footed effort after an inch-perfect delivery from Francis Coquelin in the closing minutes of the first half.

Granada CF and Valencia CF were locked together at one-all at the break with nothing to separate the sides at half-time in a really open first half and all to play for in the second half.

Valencia CF came out in the second half looking to control the game in possession while the opposition kept pilling the pressure on Valencia CF with quick counter-attacks early in the second half.

The first chance for Valencia CF came on the hour mark when the Uruguayan enjoyed two bites of the cherry following a quick sideways passing move which brought a fine save from Aaron.  

Albert Celades shuffled his pack on 67 minutes when the Portuguese winger Gonçalo Guedes made his return to first-team action after four months out on the sidelines replacing Ferran Torres.

Jaume Doménech pulled off a magnificent save to keep out a Roberto Soldado effort with twenty minutes of regulation side left to play plus stoppage time at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.

Granada CF were awarded an injury time spot-kick and Roberto Soldado made it 2-1 to Granada CF. The game finished 2-1 and Valencia CF exited the Copa del Rey in dramatic and yet cruel fashion.   

Valencia CF must turn their focus to an all-important outing to Getafe in the race for a top four finish on Saturday February the 8th at 4 pm kick-off time at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Matchday 23 in LaLiga Santander.   

 Match Details:

 2. Granada CF: Aaron, Neva, Germán, Vallejo, Foulquier, Gonalons (Yan Eteki, m. 85), Yangel Herrera, Puertas, Vadillo (Víctor Díaz, m. 46), Soldado and Carlos Fernández (D. Machis, m 69).

1. Valencia CF: Jaume Doménech, Wass, Diakhaby, Gabriel Paulista, Jaume Costa, Parejo, Coquelin, Carlos Soler, Ferran (Guedes, m. 67), Maxi Gómez and Rodrigo M. (Florenzi, m. 87).

 Goals: 1-0. M. 2: Soldado. 1-1. M. 39: Rodrigo Moreno. 2-1. M. 93: Soldado(p).

 Referee: González González. He booked Gonalons and Soldado for Granada CF.

 Observations: Copa del Rey quarter-finals knockout tie played on Tuesday, at 9 pm, at the Nuevo Estadio Los Cármenes before 20,000 spectators, with the presence of travelling fans in the stands. Valencia CF players took to the pitch wearing a shirt that read Ánimo Garay who picked up a serious knee injury. Angel Castellanos, former Granada CF and VCF player was honoured before kick-off.