Match Report: Three-goal turnaround starts preseason (3-2)

Valencia CF played their preseason opener against regional opposition, Villarreal CF at the Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort football ground at 6:30 pm kick-off time (CET) behind closed doors.

Valencia CF were off to a quick start looking to press high up the pitch to win the ball back, try to knock the ball around to open up the opposition defence in the early goings of the game amidst blustery weather conditions. 

The first Valencia CF chance fell to Yunus Musah with a bursting run down the left wing but his effort was turned behind for a corner kick by Geronimo Rulli on the halfway mark of the first half.  

Minutes later, Jasper Cillessen was forced into a magnificent save to keep out a wicked defection which came off the brand new signing and debutant Omar Alderete two minutes before the water break on the 30-minute mark.  

The closing minutes saw a high tempo at both ends with both sides looking to break the deadlock before the intermission at the Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort football ground. Alberto Moreno made it 1-0 to Villarreal CF in stoppage time.  

José Bordalás made wholesale changes at halftime looking to distribute the minutes in the tank with only four players left on the pitch from the starting eleven in the second half at the Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort football ground.

Valencia CF came out looking to get back on level terms as the same script followed in the second half. 

Valencia CF were forced into a substitution though injury over the hour mark. Cristiano Piccini made way for Jason Remesseiro.  Jorge Cuenca made it 2-0 to Villarreal CF a minute later but Manu Vallejo mustered an immediate response at the other end to get Valencia CF straight back in the game with a quick-fire goal.

The Cádiz-born collected a ball that broke for him and he fired it home inside the far post to make it 2-1 halfway through the second half.

Valencia CF tried to equalise in the closing minutes breaking into the opposition box with ease and persistence paid dividends on 86 minutes as they were awarded a spot-kick which Manu Vallejo stepped up and dispatched it straight down the middle past Geronimo Rulli to grab his brace and make it 2-2 for Valencia CF.

Valencia CF kept on pushing for the winner and it was Dennis Cheryshev who completed the smash and grab preseason regional derby win in style with a last gasp wonder goal to get the José Bordalas era off to a winning start.    

Match Details:

3. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Alderete, Jesús Vázquez, Fran Pérez, Hugo Guillamón, Racic, Diego López, Yunus Musah y Sobrino.  Jorge Sáenz, Guillem Molina, Piccini, Adri Gómez, Cheryshev, Manu Vallejo, Jason, Diakhaby, Alberto Marí.

2. Villarreal CF: Rulli, Rubén Peña, Mandi, Funes Mori, Moreno, Capoue, Trigueros, Yeremi, Ontiveros, Fernando Niño, Raba. Jorgensen, Mario Gaspar, Cuenca, Foyth, Pedraza, Hassan, Morlanes, Parejo, Moi Gómez, Millán, Alcácer, Philip.

Goals: 0-1 Alberto Moreno, 45’; 0-2 Cuenca, 66’; 1-2 Manu Vallejo, 67’; 2-2 Manu Vallejo, 86’; 3-2 Cheryshev, 90’+.

Referee: Gordillo Escamilla.  Booked Hugo Guillamón, Alderete and Cuenca.

Observations: Preseason friendly game held at the at the Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort football ground.