Match Report I Valencia CF beat Deportivo Alavés (3-0)

Valencia CF started very strongly from the opening whistle. Not even three minutes had elapsed before  a measured cross from Denis Cheryshev from the left wing was finished off by Daniel Wass, who had himself kickstarted the move from deep inside his own half. It was the team's first goal from open play this season.

Once they were ahead, Valencia CF continued to attack, as illustrated by a Guedes shot from a narrow angle after a clever pass down the channel by Soler. The effort struck the post as he tried to beat goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco at the near side.

Another chance, this time for Omar Alderete, saw the defender head wide of goal off a corner, whilst Alavés offered little in the way of danger and failed to threaten Mamardashvili in the Valencia CF goal.

Persistence paid off before the break, and Soler began a move that ended with him flicking his heel at the ball from just behind him when square on, glancing it in off the crossbar. The home team held a 2-0 advantage going into the halftime break.

After the restart, the intensity continued, and the players looked for goal number three. It came just before the hour mark, as Maxi Gómez pulled down a long ball over the top, set up Guedes, and the Portuguese got his much-deserved goal.

From there, José Bordalás made several substitutions, including bringing on the debuting Marcos André with 23 minutes remaining.

Valencia CF took a great victory, kept a clean sheet and made it 7 points from the opening three games of 2021/22, taking them into the international break in great form.

Match Details:

 3. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Omar Alderete (Diakhaby, 85’), Gayà, Hugo Guillamón (Racic, 67’), Wass (Yunus Musah, 85’), Carlos Soler, Cheryshev (Jesús Vázquez, 90’), Guedes (Marcos André, 67’) and Maxi Gómez.

0. DEPORTIVO ALAVÉS: Pacheco, X. Navarro, Miazga, Lejeune, Javi López, Pellistri (Méndez, 70’), Loum (Pere Pons, 62’), Tomás Pina (Toni Moya, 83’), Manu García (Luis Rioja, 46’), Guidetti (Sylla, 66’) and Joselu.

Goals: 1-0 Wass, 3’; 2-0 Carlos Soler, 45’; 3-0 Guedes, 59’.

Referee: Ortiz Arias.  Booked Lejeune, Loum, Pacheco and Yunus Musah.

Observations: Matchday 3 of LaLiga Santander held at Mestalla.