Match Report:  Signings debut in first preseason friendly loss (0-1)

Valencia CF took on AS Monaco at the Christ Roi in Switzerland in their first pre-season friendly as part of the Festival de Football des Alpes at 5pm kick-off time. AS Monaco were in possession in the first minutes of the match.

AS Monaco had the first chance of the match in the 9th minute, Alexandr Golovin rattling the crossbar with a powerful strike which went over. Moments later, Golovin forced Jaume into action inside the box, but he stuck his leg out to deny the Russian.  

Kevin Gameiro had the first clear-cut chance of the game over the 15-minute mark following a great through ball from Manu Vallejo but Benjamin Lecomte denied his fellow countryman from making it 1-0.

Cristian Rivero replaced Jaume in the 32nd minute of the match and moments later he was called into action to make a smart save but could not stop Lyle Foster from making it 0-1 to AS Monaco.

The first half finished 0-1 to AS Monaco.

Marcelino introduced a second-half starting eleven as the same script followed in the second half, with AS Monaco in possession and Valencia CF playing on the counter. Rubén Sobrino had the first chance for Valencia CF in the 50th minute but dragged his shot wide.

Chances kept on coming for Marcelino’s side. Jason delivered an inviting ball into Rodrigo Moreno who couldn’t get a foot in to make 1-1. Valencia CF’s new signing Jasper Cilllessen replaced Cristian Rivero on the hour mark.

Rodrigo Moreno came close to scoring again following a brilliant move from Gayà who dribbled past defenders to roll it into Rodrigo whose shot went straight at the keeper. Jose Luis Gayà kept on bringing danger down the left. 

Valencia CF’s latest signing Maxi Gómez replaced Rodrigo Moreno with little over 20 minutes of normal time left to go.  Maxi Gómez provided his maiden assist as a Valencia CF player but Sobrino could not provide the end product.

The match finished 0-1 to AS Monaco at the Christ Roi in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Marcelino will take on FC Sion on Tuesday at 6.45 pm kick-off time at the Tourbillon stadium in Sion.

Match Details:

AS Monaco: Lecomte, Sidibe, Jemerson, Glik, Golovin, Tuncará, Aholou, Boschiglia, Rony Lopes, Gil Dias, Lyle Foster. They also played Naldo, Gelson Martins, Panzo, Ballo-Touré, Chadli, Cesc Fabregas, Traoré, Sylla, Masengo, and Silva.

Valencia CF: Jaume, Pascu, Garay, Diakhaby, Salva Ruiz, Coquelin, Koba, Kang In, Guedes, Gameiro and Manu Vallejo. They also played Cristian, Cillessen, Piccini, Javi Jiménez, Gabriel, Gayà, Parejo, Wass, Kondogbia, Jason, Fran Villalba, Rodrigo, Ruben Sobrino and Maxi Lopez.

Goals: 1-0, Lyle Foster (m.37)

Referee: Vladimir Ovcharov. Booked Gilk for AS Monaco

Observations: First preseason friendly for VCF played at the Christ Roi Stadium in Lens (Switzerland)  as part of the Football Festival des Alps 2019, with 1150 spectators in attendance.