MATCH REPORT | Valencia CF suffer away defeat to Rayo Vallecano (2-1)

Valencia CF fell 2-1 against Rayo Vallecano on LaLiga Matchday 5, as early goals in each half from set pieces proved to be the undoing for Gennaro Gattuso's men. Isi Palazón put the home team ahead, with a Nico González own goal meaning that Mouctar Diakhaby's late strike was not enough to earn a point.

True to Gattuso's warnings in the pre-match press conference, Rayo proved dangerous from dead ball situations. Before five minutes were out, Oscar Trejo played a low free kick to Palazón to finish at the near post, making it 1-0.

The opposition took control in a first half in which they pressed high and interrupted Valencia CF's buildup play. Georgi Mamardashvili was called upon several times to make saves during the opening moments: A quarter of an hour into the game, the goalkeeper made a double save to deny Rayo, responding to two shots from close range inside the area. He then kept out an effort by Camello.

As the minutes went by, Valencia CF began to overcome the suffocating pressure and enjoy more chances, but they went into the break at a deficit.

The team's improvement seemed to carry over into the second half, and on 47 minutes Nico González had the ball pulled across to him by Yunus Musah. His shot went over, providing a let-off for Rayo Vallecano.

However, in Valencia CF's most promising period of play, Rayo doubled their lead. A corner in was flicked on by Trejo, and Gónzalez turned it into his own net.

Despite the setback, Gattuso looked for a way back by bringing in attacking players from the bench, including the debuting Justin Kluivert. The team tried to up the intensity, and got a consolation goal when a free kick taken by André Almeida was finished off by Diakhaby, but it was not enough to take the score beyond 2-1, as Valencia CF suffered an away defeat.

2. RAYO VALLECANO: Dimitrievski, Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, Fran García, Óscar (Pozo, 87’), Santi Comesaña (Ismaila Ciss, 68’), Isi (Randy Nteka, 76’), Álvaro, Camello (Falcao, 68’) and Trejo (Unai López, 76’).

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry R., Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Gayà (Lato, 64’), Hugo Guillamón (André Almeida, 78’), Yunus Musah, Nico (Marcos André, 55’), Samuel Lino, Samu Castillejo and Hugo Duro (Justin Kluivert, 64’).

GOALS: 1-0 Isi, 5’; 2-0 Nico (p. p.), 51’; 2-1 Diakhaby, 93’.

REFEREE: Gil Manzano (C. Extremeño). Booked; Balliu, Isi, Dimitrievski, Santi Comesaña, Yunus Musah, Óscar Trejo and Thierry R.

VAR: Sánchez Martínez (C. Murciano).

Matchday 5 of LaLiga played at Vallecas Stadium. Valencia CF players wore t-shirts in support of Jaume Domènech after his serious injury.