Match Report: VCF open title defence with hard-fought win over UD Logroñés (0-1)

Valencia CF took on UD Logroñés in their midweek the Copa del Rey defence opener at Las Gaunas at 9 pm kick-off time in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey in a knockout tie in a new-look Copa del Rey format.

Valencia CF looked to have made the perfect start to the game when Maxi Gómez had scored the opener in the first minute of the match. However, he had his goal ruled out for a tight offside position following a Dani Parejo free-kick delivery.

The Uruguayan made no mistake at the second time of asking following an intricate exchange with Ferran Torres. The Uruguayan spread the ball out wide down the right wing for Ferran Torres to run onto and return a brilliant ball from the by-line towards the Uruguayan who headed Valencia CF in front with a textbook header just shy of the quarter-hour mark.

Valencia CF were growing into the game and dominating the game as time went by. Kang In saw his effort cleared off the line by Gorka Pérez and then Dani Parejo saw his direct corner kick pushed off the line by the keeper and then Ferran Torres had a forceful follow-up attempt that went off target.

The host pilled pressure on Valencia CF over the half-hour mark with quick breaks down the wing testing the Valencia CF defence in the closing minutes. The first half finished 0-1 for Celades’ side who were the better side for the majority of the first half.

The second half picked up where it left off with the home side pushing for an equaliser with Valencia CF backline having a lot of defensive work to do. Mouctar Diakhaby did brilliantly to repel Roni's shot early in the second half.

Albert Celades made a substitution over the hour mark looking to gain more control in midfield with Kang In making way for Francis Coquelin in a breathless end to end passage of play with momentum in the hosts’favour.   

Valencia CF had three successive clear-cut chances with Ferran being denied by the UD Logroñés keeper twice on a one on one and Maxi Gómez who came close to grabbing a brace but he could not quite get enough on it.

Minutes later, Albert Celades made a like-for-like swap bringing on Kevin Gameiro for Maxi Gómez. The Frenchman hit the post following a cross-strike that came off a defender and kissed the post.     

The scoreline remained unchanged, Valencia CF managed to hold out and progress to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey and Albert Celades’ side ran out 0-1 victors from Las Gaunas.

Valencia CF will welcome FC Barcelona on Saturday the 25th of January at 4 pm kick-off time(CET) at Mestalla in the standout fixture of Matchday 21 of LaLiga Santander.

Match Details:

0. UD Logroñés: Pablo Fid, Miguel Santos ©, Gorka, Zabaco, Paredes, Jaime Sierra (Iñaki, m. 75), Ñoño, Olaetxea, Víctor Socorro (Andy, m. 66), David and Rayco (Ander Vitoria, m .80)

1. Valencia CF: Jaume, Thierry R., Diakhaby, Mangala, Jaume Costa, Parejo, Carlos Soler, Kang In (Coquelin, m. 63), Esquerdo (Rubén Sobrino, m. 86) and Maxi Gómez (Gameiro, m. 77).

Goals: 0-1. M. 15: Maxi Gómez.

Referee: Cordero Vega, He booked Olaetxea for ​​UD Logroñés, and Ferran, Mangala  for  Valencia CF.

Observations: Last 32 of the Copa del Rey, played on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. at Las Gaunas  before 11,152 spectators, with the presence of around  200 travelling Valencia CF fans.