Match Report: Valencia derby stalemate (1-1)

Valencia CF welcomed their neighbours Levante UD in the Valencia derby on Sunday 30th of April at 6:30 pm kick-off time at Mestalla on Matchday 34. 

Valencia CF had a nervy start to the derby with both sides battling for possession in the early goings of the first half. The first chance fell to Gonçalo Guedes who tried his luck from outside the box, but his long-range effort whistled over the crossbar.  

Giorgi Mamardashvii pulled off a superb stop to Dani Gómez at the other end as the game saw a scrappy spell with both sides breaking up play on the midway mark of the first half at Mestalla.  

Hugo Duro put Valencia CF in front on 27 minutes with a textbook glancing header rising above everyone and nodding it beyond Dani Cardenas following a delightful Gonçalo Guedes delivery from the wing. 

 Valencia CF captain, José Luis Gayà, was harshly dismissed with a straight red card after a VAR review for a rash elbow on Jorge Miramón over the half-hour mark. 

The opposition grew into the game after the captain’s dismissal as the game’s momentum swung their way which put Valencia CF on the backfoot with Giorgi Mamardashvili keeping out every opposition attempt going his way.  

Valencia CF edged out Levante UD by a 1-0 scoreline at half-time.

The same script followed in the second half with Levante UD looking for a quick equaliser after the restart and putting Valencia CF on the backfoot forcing them to defend resolutely for the majority of the second half.   

Jesús Vazquez and Carlos Soler linked up brilliantly with 20 minutes plus stoppage time left to go with Carlos Soler backheeling the ball into Jesús Vázquez who could not quite wrap his foot around the ball which went off target. 

Both sides kept on pushing for a second goal in the closing stages of the second half went the game opened up in a frantic passage of play at Mestalla. 

Óscar Duarte made it 1-1 with little under ten minutes plus injury time left to go in the game.

The scoreline remained unchanged and the Valencia derby finished honours even between Valencia CF and Levante UD. 

Valencia CF will visit Athletic Club on Matchday 35 of LaLiga Santander on Saturday 7th of May at 4:15 pm at the Estadio Nuevo San Mamés.

MATCH DETAILS:

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry R. (Foulquier, 73’), Diakhaby, Gabriel Paulista, Omar Alderete, Gayà, Hugo Guillamón (Jesús Vázquez, 46’), Carlos Soler (Yunus Musah, 92’), Racic, Guedes (Maxi Gómez, 73’) and Hugo Duro (Bryan Gil, 90’).

1. LEVANTE UD: Cárdenas, Miramón (Marc Pubill, 80’), Vezo (Melero, 62’), Duarte, Rober Pier, Son (Saracchi, 56’), Pepelu, Radoja (Bardhi, 46’), Campaña (Soldado, 62’), Dani Gómez and Morales.

GOALS: 1-0 Hugo Duro, 26’; 1-1 Óscar Duarte, 81’.

REFEREE:  Booked Guedes, Radoja, Son, Omar Alderete, Mamardashvili, Patri Moreno, Óscar Duarte and Maxi Gómez. Sent off Gayà in the 31’.

VAR: Gil Manzano.

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 34 of LaLiga held at Mestalla.