Valencia CF played the match corresponding to matchday 32 of LALIGA EA SPORTS 2024-25 against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday morning, April 19. The game, held at Vallecas Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw. Sadiq scored the goal for Valencia.
The Valencia team started with the intention of controlling the game by building up play from the back. This approach led to the first opportunity for Valencia just 2 minutes into the game. Gayà made a run down the left flank and crossed the ball for Hugo Duro to head towards goal. The header narrowly missed the right post defended by Batalla. Three minutes later, Valencia threatened again. Diego López moved towards the center of the Rayo area and connected with Hugo Duro, whose shot just missed the target.
Rayo Vallecano tried to push up their lines to stop Valencia’s chances. The first opportunity for Rayo came from a right-wing cross that was cleared by Tárrega. However, midway through the first half, Valencia threatened again with a header from Enzo Barrenechea after a short corner played between Almeida and Rioja. Moments later, DeFrutos had another shot from a cross, but Mamardashvili made a comfortable save.
The following minutes were marked by parity, although Nteka posed a threat to the Valencia goal with a shot that was ruled out for offside. However, just before the 45th minute, Rayo Vallecano scored the opening goal with a header from Nteka inside the six-yard box following a cross from Pedro Díaz. That concluded the first half.
After the break, Valencia came out looking to turn the game around, but Rayo Vallecano had the first chances on goal. Corberán introduced Rafa Mir and Fran Pérez to inject speed and directness into the team. Rayo continued to press and create opportunities. Shortly after, Gayà had a chance to level the score with a shot in the opponent’s box after a combination between Barrenechea and Diego López, but he missed the target. In the next play, Álvaro García’s shot went straight into Mamardashvili’s hands.
In the 70th minute, Javi Guerra found Fran Pérez on the right flank, and the winger crossed to Rafa Mir, who came close to equalizing. Mir’s shot went over the local crossbar. Barrenechea had to be substituted due to a shoulder injury after a collision with Óscar Valentín. Five minutes later, Valencia’s efforts paid off. Jesús Vázquez crossed from the left wing, and Sadiq scored from the ‘9’ position to level the game for Valencia.
Valencia continued to push for a second goal, with Sadiq involved in another opportunity. The Nigerian striker crossed the ball, but there was no one to finish in the six-yard box. In the 86th minute, Valencia came close again. In a counterattack, Fran Pérez crossed, and Sadiq almost connected with the ball in the opponent’s penalty area. In the 90th minute, Sadiq received a yellow card that will see him miss the next match against RCD Espanyol.
Following this result, Valencia CF sits in 14th place in the standings with 38 points and will aim for victory on Tuesday at 19:00 at the Mestalla Stadium against RCD Espanyol.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
1. RAYO VALLECANO: A. Batalla, Andrei, Pep Chevarría, Pedro Díaz, Pathé Ciss, Nteka (Guardiola, 83’), Gumbau (U. López, 71’), Álvaro, De Frutos (Embarba, 71’),Óscar V. (Isi, 83’) and Lejeune.
1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Mosquera,Tárrega, Gayà (J. Vázquez, 66’), Barrenechea (Pepelu, 74’), Javi Guerra, DiegoLópez, L. Rioja (F. Pérez, 55’), A. Almeida (Sadiq, 66’) and Hugo Duro (Rafa Mir,55’).
GOALS: 1-0 Tárrega (p.p.), 45’; 1-1 Sadiq, 75’.
REFEREE: Alejandro Quintero González (C. Andaluz). Yellow cards for Pathé Ciss, Lejeune, Chevarría, and Sadiq.
VAR: JavierIglesias Villanueva (C. Gallego).
Matchday 32 of LALIGA EA Sports at Vallecas Stadium.
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