MATCH REPORT | Valencia CF rescue valuable point away at RCDE (2-2)

Valencia CF visited Real Club Deportivo Espanyol looking to chase their maiden away win of the season.

Valencia CF had a quiet start to the game with the host putting pressure on Gattuso's side and enjoying possession in the opening minutes.

Valencia CF came mighty close to scoring with two breaks forward in quick succession, the first one an inviting Gayà cross from the left-hand side which rolled beyond Cavani and then Lino who drove the ball upfield at pace but couldn't quite lift the ball over the keeper.

Giorgi Mamardashvil pulled off a sensational save to deny Braithwaite and keep the scoreline at 0-0 over the quarter-hour mark.

Samuel Lino tried his luck from a tight angle following a fine Aimeida through ball, but his cross-strike fizzed wide of the mark halfway through the first half.

Valencia CF kept on having chances in the way of danger though Lino Gayà and Cavani as the main attacking outlets.

The first half finished locked together at 0-0 with all to play for in the second half.

Valencia CF had a strong start to the second half taking the game to the opposition right from the off.Valencia CF opened the scoring through Gabriel Paulista who nodded it home with a pinpoint header inside the right-hand post and past Álvaro. Alas, the advantage was short-lived as Joselu made it 1-1 only a few minutes later.

Giorgi Mardashvili produced heroics over the hour mark following a Valencia CF let-off.The game opened up with both sides pushing for the goal.

Gennaro Gattuso made a triple change with Nico González, Marcos André and Eray Cömert replacing Gabriel Paulista, Almeida and Cavani.

Valencia CF tested the keeper with a double chance. Alas, Sergi Darder made 2-1 to RCD Espanyol minutes later.

Things took a turn for the worst when Marcos André was sent off for a straight red following an off-the-ball incident. Minutes later, the same script followed with Martin Braithwaite was who was also sent off for a straight red deep into stoppage time. 

Valencia CF kept on pushing for an equaliser through Nico who came mighty close to equalising, but it was clawed away.However, moments later, Eray Cömert salvaged a point with a long-range effort which looped over the keeper inside the far post.

The game finished in a 2-2 draw following an eventful affair at the RCDE Stadium. Valencia CF will make a trip to Pamplona to visit Osasuna on Friday Night Football on the 7th of October at the Reino de Navarra on Matchday 8 of LaLiga.

RCD ESPANYOL: Álvaro Fernández, Fernando Calero (Melamed, 74'), Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Oliván, Sergi Darder (Simo, 87'), Vinícius Souza (Pol Lozano, 87'), Javi Puado (Aleix Vidal, 46'), Braithwaite, Edu Expósito (Keidi Baré, 62') and Joselu.

VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry R., Gabriel Paulista (Cömert, 74'), Diakhaby, Gayà, Hugo Guillamón, Ilaix Moriba (Hugo Duro, 84'), André Almeida (Nico, 73'), Samu Castillejo (Justin Kluivert 46'), Samuel Lino and Edinson Cavani (Marcos André, 73').

GOALS: 0-1 Gabriel Paulista, 53'; 1-1 Joselu, 55'; 2-1 Sergi Darder, 82'; 2-2 Cömert, 94'.

REFEREE: Pizarro Gómez (C. Madrileño). Yellow cards for Sergi Darder, Brian Oliván and Diakhaby. Marcos André and Braithwaite were sent off.

VAR: Iglesias Villanueva (C. Gallego).

OBSERVATIONS: LaLiga matchday 7 played at the RCDE Stadium. A minute's silence was observed at the start of the match in memory of the victims of the tragedy that occurred at a football stadium in Indonesia.