MATCH REPORT: Away loss to Atletico Madrid (3-1)

Valencia CF visited table-toppers Atletico Madrid on Sunday 24th of January at the Wanda Metropolitano at 9 pm kick-off time on Matchday 20 of LaLiga Santander in the first fixture of the second half of the season.

Valencia CF were off to a nervy start in the early goings of the game trying to play their typical possession football but with some defending to do while the opposition were looking to hit Valencia CF on the break.

 Jaume Doménech pulled off a magnificent reaction save to José María Jiménez  close-range header just six minutes into the first half. Valencia CF responded at the other end with a Manu Vallejo surging run which forced a save out of Jan Oblak.

It was Uroš Račić who drew first blood with an absolute swerving screamer into the top right corner past Jan Oblak on the 10-minute mark in the game to open his LaLiga account for Valencia CF in style.

Valencia CF settled into the game after the goal alas, it did not last long as Atletico Madrid restored parity halfway through the first half through João Félix.

The contest evened out moments later with fouls and stoppages towards the half-hour mark in the first half. Minutes later, Mouctar Diakhaby enjoyed a free header at the back post as Valencia CF continued to probe down the wings.

The remainder of the half played out with no further incidents. The first half finished lock together at 1-1 with nothing to separate the sides at half-time and all to play for in the second half.

Valencia CF were forced into a half-time substitution as Mouctar Diakhaby was forced off the field and Hugo Guillamón came on in his stead at the restart.

Valencia CF were put on the back foot by the hosts in the opening minutes of the second half and ten minutes later Luis Suárez put Atletico Madrid in front.

Javi Gracia made a substitution after Atletico Madrid’s goal with Denis Cheryshev making way for Gonçalo Guedes close to the hour mark in the game.

Gonçalo Guedes tried his luck right off the bench but his effort blazes over the crossbar and then Maxi Gómez got his shot away from a tight angle but Jan Oblak was equal to it. 

Ángel Correa made it 3-1 to Atletico Madrid with little under 20 minutes plus stoppage time left to play at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Spanish capital.

Javi Gracia made a triple substitution for the remaining minutes bringing on Kevin Gameiro, Koindredi Koba Leïn, and Jason Remesseiro who replaced Manu Vallejo, Uroš Račić and Yunus Musah respectively.

The scoreline remained unchanged and the game finished in a 3-1 away loss table-toppers Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Spanish capital.

Valencia CF will return to cup action against Sevilla FC at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in midweek at 7pm kick-off time for their last 16 knockout tie in the Copa del Rey.

Match Details:

3. Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Vrsaljko (Renan Lodi, 46’), Josema Giménez, Savic, Hermoso, Koke, Marcos Llorente (Kondogbia, 75’), Carrasco, Lemar (Torreira, 85’), Joao Félix (Correa, 62’) and Luis Suárez.

1. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Thierry Correia, Diakhaby (Hugo Guillamón, 47’), Gabriel Paulista, Gayà, Racic (Koba Leïn, 79’), Carlos Soler, Yunus Musah (Jason, 79’), Cheryshev (Guedes, 57’), Manu Vallejo (Gameiro, 79’) and Maxi Gómez.

Goals: 0-1 Racic, 11’; 1-1 Joao Félix, 22’; 2-1 Luis Suárez, 54’; 3-1 Correa, 71’.

Referee: De Burgos Bengoetxea. Booked Vrsaljko, Savic.

Observations: Matchday 20 of LaLiga Santander held at the Wanda Metropolitano.