Match Report: VCF held to home draw against CD Leganés (1-1)

Valencia CF welcomed CD Leganés on Matchday 5 of LaLiga Santander at 4 pm at Mestalla. Celades’ side come off the back of a superb 0-1 win over Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Valencia CF had a quiet start to the game in the first minutes as CD Leganés  tested Jasper Cillessen kept Siovas’ header out only six minutes into the first half with CD Leganés in possession. 

Moments later, Valencia CF were awarded a spot-kick when Rodrigo Moreno was felled by Rubén Pérez inside the area as he was skipping round his marker. The referee pointed to the spot after a VAR review and Dani Parejo tucked it away straight sending the keeper the wrong way.

Óscar Rodríguez struck the post from a free-kick and then minutes later, the Danish international, Martin Braithwaite with a free header that skimmed over the bar halfway through the first half.  

Oscár Rodríguez levelled it up after collecting a loose ball and driving it low past inside the left-hand post to make it 1-1 over the half-hour mark at Mestalla after a tight offside call, however, the goal stood much to the dismay of the home crowd.  

Ezequiel Garay came mighty close to putting Valencia CF back ahead following a great Gonçalo Guedes ball but the Argentine's effort flew over the bar. The first half- finished 1-1 with nothing to separate the sides at the intermission in scorching weather conditions.

A much more spirited Valencia CF side came out in the second half looking to retake the lead and they nearly did through Gonçalo Guedes a minute into the second half but his low shot went just wide of the post.

Moments later, Maximilliano Gómez had a forceful shot on goal but the Leganés keeper dealt with it comfortably. Albert Celades was forced into a substitution as José Gayà was brought off in discomfort.   

Bustinza rushed off the line to block away Dani Parejo’s goal-gapping shot in the closing minutes of the second half and then Ferran Torres played a square ball into Rodrigo Moreno but the ball rolled across the face of goal and beyond Rodrigo.

The game finished 1-1 at Mestalla. Valencia CF will welcome Getafe CF in a midweek fixture at Mestalla on Matchday 6 on Wednesday at 8 pm.

Match Details:

1. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Wass, G. Paulista, Garay, Gayà (J, Costa, m. 55), Parejo, Kondogbia, Coquelin (Ferran, m. 82), Guedes, Rodrigo M. y Maxi Gómez (Kang In, m. 59).

1. CD Leganés: Juan Soriano, Aitor R. (Awaziem, m. 57), Bustinza M., Omeruo, Siovas Rodrigues, m. 72), J. Silva, Recio, Óscar, R. Pérez J. L., Guido (En Nesyri, m. 79) and Braithwaite.

Goals: 1-0. M. 21: Parejo (p)1-1. M. 36: Óscar.

Referee: Estrada Fernandez, booked Gayà, Kondogbia, Ferran and G. Paulista for Valencia CF, and Recio, Siovas and Rubén for CD Leganés.

Observations:  Matchday 5 of LaLiga played on Sunday at 4 pm before 39,014. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the people who have passed away during the rough weather that hit the region last week. The club gave away 33,000 water bottles and caps supplied by LaLiga for the home fans.