Match Report: Preseason derby draw (0-0)

Valencia CF played crosstown opposition Levante UD on Saturday at the Pinatar Arena, Murcia at 7 pm kick-off time (local time) in rainy weather conditions and a different starting eleven from the one that faced Villarreal CF on Friday night. 

The game started a breakneck speed with Valencia CF looking to hit Levante UD on the counter-attack at every opportunity right from the off which saw Valencia CF break into the opposition box in the opening minutes.  

Valencia CF were made to defend following a passage of dominance by the opposition who enjoyed possession and a series of corner kicks halfway through the first half at the Pinatar Arena. 

Jasper Cillessen was called to action after the water break in a one-on-one situation with José Luis Morales but the Dutch goalkeeper produced a great piece of goalkeeping from close range to keep it at 0-0. 

Both sides were forced into a substitution in the closing moments of the opening period as the first half finished scoreless with nothing to separate the sides at half-time and all to play for in the second half.   

Valencia CF looked to get a foothold after the restart playing a possession brand of football. The first chance of the second half fell to Guillem Molina but he could not guide it on target. Moments later, Javi Gracia’s side grew into the game and Kang In tried his luck from outside the box but his shot blazed over the crossbar.  

Javi Gracia introduced some changes before the water break which saw an even spell with both sides looking for a late winner but with neither side able to break the deadlock as the game finished in a scoreless tie.

Match details:

 0. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Thierry (Wass, min. 45+1), G. Molina, Hugo Guillamón, Centelles, Carbonell (Esquerdo, min. 89), Pedro Alemañ (Račić, min. 70), Yunus (Hugo González, min. 70), Álex Blanco (Jason, min. 70), Kang In © (Manu Vallejo, min. 70) and R. Sobrino.

0. Levante UD: Aitor Fernández, Toño García, Róber Pier, Radoja, Ó. Duarte, Roger M., Bardhi, Morales, Miramón, Melero, Campaña. Coke, Clerc, Rochina, Vukcevic, Pablo, De Frutos, Dani Gómez, Sergio León, Dani Cárdenas, Antonio Luna, Pepelu and Pablo M.

Referee: Rafael Sánchez. Booked  Coke (min. 89) and Račić (90+1).

Observations: Pre-season friendly played at the Pinatar Arena, Murcia behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.