Match Report: Away loss to UD Almeria (2-1)

Valencia CF visited UD Almeria on Sunday the 9th of April at 6:30 pm kick-off time at the Power Horse Stadium 'Estadio de Los Juegos Mediterráneos on Matchday 28 of LaLiga the table.

The game started at a breakneck speed with Valencia CF enjoying two forays forward inside the first two minutes with both sides looking to press high up the pitch. 

Giorgi Mamardahvili claimed Robertone’s free-kick effort and minutes later, Justin Kluivert Fernando into a stop and then a minute later, Mouctar Diakhaby was on the receiving end of a Babic shirt pull, but the penalty appeals were waved away by the referee.       

 José Luis Gayà forced Fernando into another superb save after another run into the opposition box.

Mouctar Diakhaby produced heroics with a last ditch clearance off the line to deny Chumi on the half hour mark.

Minutes later, Justin Kluivert came mighty close to scoring at the other end as the Dutch forward tried to lift the ball over Fernando as he was bundled over by Fernando.

The referee waved away Valencia CF’s penalty appeal despite the protests. moments later, Valencia CF were forced into an injury substitution with Justin Kluivert making way for Fran Pérez.

The first half finished goalless with nothing to separate the sides at half-time at the Power Horse Stadium.

Valencia CF had a quiet start to the second half and shortly after Nico González had to go off the pitch to receive treatment and in the following move Melero made it 1-0 to UD Almería.

Things went from bad to worse as Valencia CF were forced into their second injury substitution with Nico Gozález making way for Hugo Guillamón. Giorgi Mamardashvili kept the scoreline at 1-0 after pulling off a smart save to Arnau Pugimal.    

Babic made it 2-0 to UD Almeria on the hour mark following a defensive let-off. However, Samu Castillejo got Valencia CF back into the game with powerful drive past Fernando only a minute late to make it 2-1 to Valencia CF.

Valencia CF upped the ante searching for an equaliser though chances from Edinson Cavani and Hugo Duro in the closing stages of the second half. Alas, Valencia CF fell to a 2-1 away loss to UD Almeria.

Valencia CF will welcome Sevilla FC on Sunday, the 16th of April at 9 pm kick-off time at Mestalla on Matchday 29 of LaLiga.

MATCH SHEET:

UD ALMERÍA: Fernando, Chumi, Ely, Babic, Centelles, Robertone (Eguaras, 92'), Samú Costa, Melero (César de la Hoz, 78'), Leo Baptistao (Ramazani, 78'), Arnau Puigmal (Pozo, 66') and Luis Suárez (Kaiky, 92').

VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Cenk, Gayà, Nico, André Almeida, Samu Castillejo (Cavani, 73'), Samuel Lino (Yunus Musah, 73'), Justin Kluivert (Fran Pérez, 42') and Hugo Duro.

GOALS: 1-0 Gonzalo Melero, 49'; 2-0 Babic, 58'; 2-1 Samu Castillejo, 61'.

REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez showed Yellow cards to Foulquier, Chumi, Luis Suárez, Robertone and Fran Pérez.

VAR: Iglesias Villanueva.

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 28 played at the Power Horse Stadium in Almería.