Match Report: Valuable home win over Granada CF (2-0)

Valencia CF welcomed newly-promoted side and LaLiga Santander's surprise package Granada CF on Saturday the 9th of November at 4 pm kick-off time (CET) at Mestalla on Matchday 13 of LaLiga Santander. 

Valencia CF had a positive start to the game applying a high pressure on Granada FC try to win the ball back. Maxi Gómez had the first chance for Valencia CF on the 10-minute mark. The Uruguayan chested it down in between two Granada FC players and turned them but his forceful shot went straight at Bruno Silva.   

Manu Vallejo tried his luck on the halfway mark but his shot went off target as Valencia CF started to get a foothold in the game. However, they were forced into a substitution in as many matches and Geoffrey Kondogbia was replaced by Jaume Costa.

Daniel Wass had the final Valencia CF kick of the half with a powerful long ranger but Bruno Silva palmed it away on the stroke of half time. The first half finished scoreless at Mestalla with all to play for in the second half.

The same script followed after the restart both in terms of tempo and incidents as Celades’ side were forced into another substitution Rodrigo Moreno was replaced by Kevin Gameiro and things took a turn for the worse as moments later  Valencia  CF had a Dani Parejo goal disallowed for an offside call against  Maxi Gómez in the build-up.

Valencia CF were completely in control both in chances and providing a lot in the way of danger which bore fruit with 20 minutes of normal time left to go when the Danish drilled it into the roof of the net on the half volley at the far post following a lobbed cross from the right-hand side to get off the mark this season.

Moments later, Kevin Gameiro had a clear-cut chance with an intricate piece of play, a one-two with Manu Vallejo but Kevin’s effort went just wide of the post. However, the assist provider was forced off the field with an injury to be replaced by Kang In.  

Daniel Wass produced heroics at the other end with a last-ditch goalline scramble on 90 minutes.  Kevin Gameiro put Valencia C F two goals to the good following a textbook counter but had his goal wiped off by the VAR.

Ferran Torres rounded it off right at the death latching onto a Japer Cillessen ball and slotting it away to cap off a fantastic week for both him and Valencia CF who move up the table in LaLiga Santander.   

Valencia CF will return to action after the international break at the Benito Villamarín, the beautiful backdrop where VCF were crowned the Copa del Rey winners on Saturday 23rd of November at 4 pm kick-off time on Matchday 14 of LaLiga Santander.

  Match Details:

2. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Wass, Garay, G. Paulista, Gayà, Parejo ©, Kondogbia (Jaume Costa, m. 36), Ferran, Manu Vallejo (Kang In, m. 86), Rodrigo M. (Gameiro, m .51) and Maxi Gómez.

0. Granada CF: Rui Silva, Quini, Domingos Duarte, Germán ©, Carlos Neva (Carlos Fernández, m. 81), Gonalons (Montoro, m. 63), Yangel Herrera, Antonio Puertas, Azeez, Vadillo and Soldier.

Goals: 1-0. M. 74: Wass. 2-0 M. 90 + 6: Ferran.

Referee: Estrada Fernández, of the Catalan committee. He showed a yellow card to Gonalons, Azeez, Montoro and Yangel Herrera for Granada CF.

Observations: Match played on Saturday, at 4 pm on Matchday 13 of LaLiga Santander at Mestalla before 39,882 spectators.