MATCH REPORT: Preseason defeat against CD Castellón

Valencia CF played their second friendly match of the 2026-27 preseason against CD Castellón, at the Estadi Antonio Puchades. The fixture ended with a 1-2 scoreline, with Dieng scoring the goal for Valencia CF.

Both teams began the match employing a high press when the opposition played out through their goalkeeper, switching to a mid-block press when played emanated from the defensive line. The first chances -albeit unsuccessful- fell to Valencia CF, courtesy of Ryunosuke and Javi Guerra.

Valencia CF took control and quickly regained possession in the attacking third, working hard in their pressing immediately after losing the ball. As the minutes ticked by, the balance of possession evened out. Just past the 20 minute mark, Luis Rioja dispossessed the Belgian goalkeeper, Matthys, and nearly connected with Guerra and Hugo Duro to set them up in the box, but the Castellón defence managed to collect the delivery.

Later, Valencia CF threatened the Castellón goal again, in a move sparked by a surging run from Javi Guerra. He found an unmarked Rioja on the left flank, and the winger drove into the box and struck a shot that was saved by Matthys.

Four minutes before the end of the first half, CD Castellón issued a warning with a shot from outside the box by Álvaro, though it failed to hit the target.

SECOND HALF

Just seconds after the restart, Umar Sadiq almost opened the scoring; after latching onto a ball in the space behind the visiting defence and striding into the area, his shot went slightly wide of the post.

Against the run of play, CD Castellón took the lead through Raúl Sánchez, who fired a shot from inside the box inside the far post.

Trailing 0-1, Valencia CF responded immediately with a good strike from Dieng that nearly levelled the scoreline, but Saipi made the save.

CD Castellón scored a second goal when Jakobsen beat Vicent Abril with a chipped finish, when in a one-on-one situation.

Valencia CF threatened with three consecutive moves: the first, a combination between André Almeida and Dieng; the second, a header by Íker Córdoba; and the third, a shot from outside the box by Almeida.

The team had another opportunity on a counter-attack in which Sadiq received the ball in space, but he failed to feed Raba and Otorbi with his delivery inside.

With five minutes remaining, Sadiq was shown a straight red card.

Shortly after, Dieng scored for Valencia CF with a great shot from outside the box, taking the score to 1-2, and before the final whistle, Raba was also sent off.

Valencia CF will hold a second preseason training camp in England next week, where the team are set to face Stoke City on August 1st at 7:30pm.

MATCH STATS

1. VALENCIA CF:

FIRST HALF

V. Abril, Wanjala, Tárrega ©, De Haas, J. Vázquez, Guido, Javi Guerra, Ugrinic, L. Rioja, Ryunosuke and Hugo Duro.

SECOND HALF

V. Abril, Gamón, Diakhaby, I. Córdoba, Gayà, Dieng, Pepelu, Raba, Almeida, Otorbi and Sadiq.

2. CD CASTELLÓN:

FIRST HALF

Matthys, Sienra, M. Doué, Suero, Lucas A. (Tincho, 34’), Pablo S., H. Bellari, Mellot ©, Álvaro, I. Córdoba and Vlak.

SEGUNDA PARTE

Saipi, Juanjo Nieto, Alberto, José Albert, Tincho (Rego, 62'), Barri, Álvaro M., Douglas, Jakobsen, Raúl Sánchez and Camara.

GOALS: Raúl Sánchez, 49’ (0-1); Jakobsen, 60' (0-2); Dieng, 88' (1-2).

REFEREE: Andrés Fuentes Molina (C. Valenciano). Straight red cards for Sadiq and Raba