MATCH REPORT | Valencia CF held to a draw away to Real Sociedad (0-0)

Valencia CF played out a 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad on Matchday 14 of the LaLiga season, sharing the spoils with a side who had started the weekend top of the table. Organised and competitive, José Bordalás’ side pushed for a winning goal constantly, especially after Real Sociedad were reduced to ten men with the sending off of Aritz Elustondo late on.

Valencia CF came to the Reale Arena determined to continue the strong showings of the last two games, in which they had claimed four points from a possible six against Villarreal CF and Atletico Madrid. For the trip to San Sebastián, they were alert and attentive to the transitions that had taken Real Sociedad to many victories over the course of the season so far.

Advanced pressing allowed Valencia CF to put Real Sociedad in trouble when it came to them bringing the ball out, and after a quarter of an hour Gonçalo Guedes came close to scoring. The Portuguese was about to finish off a chance alone in front of the goalkeeper when Gorosabel scraped the ball clear at the last second. The opportunity had come after a great cross from Hélder Costa, who had recovered the ball in the opposition half.

The ‘txuri-urdin’ also came close after half an hour with a low shot from Isak, to which Cillessen responded with a great save.

The second half was just as tightly contested as the first, and Valencia CF were able to compete at a very high pace. With fifteen minutes to go they were given a further boost, as Elustondo’s sending off gave them a numerical advantage.

The team continued their charge, and Maxi Gómez and Carlos Soler enjoyed clear opportunities in stoppage time, but Real Sociedad held on and the game ended 0-0.

With the intention of building on a positive away point,  Valencia CF will try to get back to winning ways against Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 15, when they return to Mestalla.

MATCH STATS

0. REAL SOCIEDAD: Remiro, Gorosabel, Aritz, Le Normand, Rico, Guevara (Zubimendi, 60’), Merino, Januzaj (Portu, 84’), Silva (Beñat Turrientes, 84’), Isak (Sorloth, 84’) and Barrenetxea (Oyarzabal, 60).

0. VALENCIA CF: Cillessen, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Omar Alderete, Gayà, Racic (Koba, 76’), Wass (Marcos André, 89’), Carlos Soler, Helder Costa, Hugo Duro (Yunus Musah, 76’) and Guedes (Maxi Gómez, 67’).