Valencia CF made a short trip to Castellón to take on Villarreal CF on Sunday, 17th of March at 4:15 pm kick-off time (CET) at the Estadio de La Cerámica on Matchday 29 of LaLiga EA Sports.

The game started at a high tempo at both ends in the early goings of the game with Valencia CF struggling to find a foothold. Shortly after, Giorgi Mamardashvili produced heroics between the sticks for Valencia CF with a sensational triple save to keep the scoreline at 0-0.

Hugo Duro came mighty close to opening the scoring in a similar fashion as his goal against Getafe CF following a fine link-up play between Javi Guerra, Sergi Canós and Hugo Duro who got on the end of a Canós’ through ball and tried to dink the Villarreal CF keeper, but his effort blazed over the crossbar.

Sergi Canós almost broke the deadlock after collecting a Gayà return ball, but his drive went straight at the Villarreal CF keeper under the half-hour mark at the Estadio de la Cerámica as they looked livelier going forward.  

Valencia CF were on the wrong side of a soft penalty to Villarreal CF, but Giorgi Mamardashvilli produced heroics from 12 yards out to deny Álex Baena by going down to his right to keep the scoreline at 0-0.

The first half finished goalless with all to play for in the second half at the Estadio de La Cerámica.

Rubén Baraja made a halftime substitution his second following Gayà’s early departure through injury in the first half.

Valencia CF had a slow start to the second half with plenty of defending to do at the beginning of the second stanza as they were penned back by the home side.

 The first Valencia CF chance fell to Javi Guerra who tested the Villarreal CF keeper from distance and then Peter Federico who forced Jörgensen into a stop.

Giorgi Mamardasvili pulled off another double stop to deny Santi Comesaña and Sorloth, alas, Jorge Cuenca broke the deadlock for Villarreal CF in the 54^th minute of the second half at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Diego López came close to bringing Valencia CF back on level terms as he tried to lift the ball over the keeper, but his effort went wide just under the hour mark. Moments later, Cenk Özcakar side-footed the ball, but his effort went straight at Jörgensen.

Valencia CF kept on pushing for the equaliser when Hugo Duro got on the end of a trademark rabona cross, but his overhead attempt went straight at Jörgensen halfway through the second half.

Rubén Baraja shuffled his pack for the remaining twenty minutes of the regional derby plus stoppage time left to play.

Valencia CF continued to ask questions of the Villarreal CF defence looking for a late regional derby draw alas, the scoreline remained unchanged and Valencia CF fell to a narrow regional derby defeat.    

MATCH SHEET:

1. VILLARREAL CF: Jörgensen, Kiko Femenía, Mosquera, Mandi, J. Cuenca (C. Romero), Coquelin (Parejo, 46’), Santi C. V., Álex Baena (Morales, 83’), Traore (Capoue, 76’), Guedes (G. Moreno, 68’) and Sorloth.

0. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier (J. Vázquez, 71’), Cristhian Mosquera, Cenk, Gayà (Thierry R., 40’), Javi Guerra (André Almeida, 82’), Pepelu, Diego López, Sergi Canós (Peter Federico, 46’), Yaremchuk (Fran Pérez, 71’) and Hugo Duro.

GOALS: 1-0 J. Cuenca, 54’.

REFEREE: Figueroa Vázquez (C. Andaluz).  Booked Kiko Femenía, Coquelin, Gayà, Álex Baena, J. Cuenca, Mandi.

VAR: Prieto Iglesias (C. Navarro).

OBSERVATIONS: Match held at the Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal on Matchday 29 of LaLiga EA Sports.