Match Report: Ten-man VCF earn a valuable point at the Wanda Metropolitano (1-1)

Valencia CF were back in domestic action on the road against Atletico Madrid following the international break at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday 19 of September at 4 pm kick-off time on Matchday 9 of LaLiga Santander.

Valencia CF had a quiet start to the game as they had some defending to do in the opening minutes of the first half with the hosts in possession. Francis Coquelin tried his luck over the ten-minute mark but his shot went over the bar.

Denis Cheryshev fired off a shot on goal over the half-hour mark which was spilled by the keeper after a long passage of possession.  Atletico Madrid were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a handball the referee pointed to the spot and Diego Costa made it 1-0 to Atletico Madrid with ten minutes of normal time left to play.

Valencia CF were trailing by 1-0 at half-time with all to play for in the second half.  

Albert Celades’ side had a better start to the second half looking to get back on level terms. Denis Cheryshev came mighty close to levelling things up rattling the underside of the woodwork following a brilliant diagonal run and return ball by Maxi Gómez.

Valencia CF enjoyed much more of the ball knocking the ball about as Celades brought on former Atletico Madrid man Kevin Gameiro who replaced Geoffrey Kondogbia over the hour mark.  

Dani Parejo restored parity with an absolute rocket of a curling free-kick beyond Jan Oblak with little under ten minutes to go and minutes later forced Oblak into a tough piece of goalkeeping following the equaliser.

Valencia CF were reduced to ten men in stoppage time as Kang-In was sent off for a bad foul on Arias. The match finished one apiece and Valencia CF came away with a valuable point from the Metropolitano.

Albert Celades’side be back in action against Lille OSC on Matchday 3 of the Champions League Group Stage  at the Pierre-Mauroy at 9 pm kick-off time (local time) on Wednesday night were they will try to get back to winning ways.

 Match Details:

1. Atletico  Madrid: Oblak, Arias, Felipe, Giménez, Hermoso (Renan Lodi, 54’), Koke, Thomas (Lemar, 54’), Joao Félix, Saúl, Diego Costa, Morata (Marcos Llorente, 68’).

1. Valencia CF: Cillessen, Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Garay, Jaume Costa, Coquelin, Kondogbia (Gameiro, 65’), Parejo, Ferran Torres (Carlos Soler, 71’), Cheryshev (Kang In, 77’) y Maxi Gómez.

Goals: 1-0 Diego Costa (p.), 36’; 1-1 Parejo (82’).

Referee: Cordero Vega, booked Thomas, Cheryshev, Joao Félix and sent off Kang In.

Observations: Matchday 9 of LaLiga, played at the Wanda Metropolitano