Match Report: Away defeat to Deportivo Alavés (1-0)

Valencia CF travelled to Vitoria to take on Deportivo Alavés on the 2nd of September at 6:30 pm kick-off time (CET) at Mendizorrotza on Matchday 4 of LaLiga EA Sports 23-24.

Valencia CF had an eventful start to the game with an early spot kick awarded to Deportivo Alavés which was kept out by Giorgi Mamardashvili but, was retaken shortly after for encroachment. Mamardashviili produced heroics again.

Alas, moments later Deportivo Alavés put themselves in front as Cenk Özkacar was on the wrong end of a hapless deflection which made it 1-0 to Deportivo Alavés in the 7th minute.  

Valencia CF struggled to find a foothold in the game in the coming minutes despite enjoying the possession.

Javi Guerra tested Sivera in the 19th minute, but his effort was comfortably gathered by the keeper. Moments later, Giorgi made a last-ditch stop to palm away a dangerous ball across the face of goal.

The game became cagier with both sides exchanging spells of possession with chances few and far between over the half-hour mark.

The remainder of the half went off without any further incidents in a frantic first half at Mendizorrotza. Valencia CF trailed Deportivo Alavés by a 1-0 scoreline at the intermission with all to play for in the second half.

Rubén Baraja made a double substitution at half-time with Thierry Correia and Cenk Özkacar making way for Christian Mosquera and Fran Pérez.

The second half followed the same script with Valencia CF having some defending to do in the early goings of the second half.

Valencia CF started to settle into the second half under the hour mark after enjoying a few breaks forward.

The first clear-cut Valencia CF chance in the second half fell to Diego López who wriggled his way through the opposition defence but his effort was tipped away by Sivera.

Sergi Canós forced Sivera into a stop straight off the bench after replacing André Almeida halfway through the second half as Valencia CF were producing much more in the way of danger.

Valencia CF’s brand new signing, Selim Amallah was given a cameo debut when he replaced Diego López in the 70th minute.

Valencia CF managed to withstand a few defensive let-offs at the back by showing their resoluteness to stay in the game.  The scoreline remained unchanged and Valencia CF fell to a 1-0 away defeat to Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza.

Valencia CF will welcome Atletico Madrid after the international break on Saturday the 16th of September at 4:15 pm kick-off time (CET) at Mestalla on Matchday 5 of LaLiga EA Sports 23-24. 

MATCH SHEET

1. DEPORTIVO ALAVÉS: Antonio Sivera, Gorosabel, Rafa Marín, Sedlar (Tenaglia, 75'), Duarte, Guevara, Blanco (Benavidez, 87'), Guridi (Hagi, 87'), Alkain, L. Rioja and Kike García (Omorodion, 75').

VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Cenk (Cristhian Mosquera, 46'), Gayà, Pepelu, Javi Guerra, André Almeida (Sergi Canós, 60'), Thierry R. (Fran Pérez, 46'), Diego López (Amallah, 70') and Hugo Duro (Mario Domínguez, 80').

GOALS: 1-0 Cenk (o.g.), 5'.

REFEREE: González Fuertes (Asturian C.). Yellow cards for Guridi, Gorosabel, Gayà, Ander Guevara, Diakhaby and Benavidez.

VAR: Hernández Maeso (Extremadura C.).

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 4 of LaLiga EA Sports played at Mendizorrotza.