Valencia CF finally records a win after 7 matches in which the team only managed a measly 3 points! The win comes at the expense of Villarreal CF who were in a similar position to Valencia CF and both teams needed a win to set the course right!
I got to be honest I didn't think Valencia CF deserved to win, I think we were just a bit more lucky today, I think the fairest result would have been a draw, but hey I'll take a win wherever I can.
Uros Racis started the match in place for Carlos Soler as the coach obviously didn't want to risk him, Foulquier also started instead of Correia, though both players were eventually subbed in and got to play. We had a similar lineup to previous ones, with the standard back 4, Hugo serving as a defensive midfielder, while Wass and Uros Racic playing a bit more forward, with Helder Costa and Guedes on the flanks and Marcos Andre as the sole forward.
The match was fairly equal from the start with both teams fighting for control of the midfield, but Villarreal CF exerted more dominance in the early stages and dominated possession for long periods of time, with Valencia CF relegated to defending. Villarreal would have the first more serious opportunity in the 28th minute with Arnaut Danjuma having a shot at goal that went just wide.
Then in the 41st minute Serge Aurier volleys the ball towards goal, but Cillessen is able to just reach it and deflects the shot, saving an almost certain goal there.
Valencia CF looked destined to lose once again, with the team barely having 28% ball possession and most of the attacks were coming from Villerral CF who looed more likely to score, but in what was a individual bit of skill Hugo Guillamon received the ball in a good position and lobbed the goalkeeper to put Valencia CF ahead.
Second half was pretty much a carbon copy of the first, Villarreal were trying to find the equalizer, but just weren't too dangerous in attack, while Valencia CF was contempt to sit back and occasionally attack through counter attacks. Then in the 77th minute Foulquier rushed into the penalty area to intercept a ball, but an opposition player hit him instead of the ball, prompting the referee to award Valencia CF a penalty!
Carlos Soler stepped to the penalty spot, he sent a rather weak shot right in the center, but the goalkeeper essentially jumped before seeing the shot, and went too far on the side.
The last 15 minutes of the match were basically injuries after injuries, mostly for Valencia's players, but there doesn't seem to be anything serious, except for Paulista who might have renewed the injury he had before the match and might be out for the next match, but we'll have to wait and see.
So there you have it, a 2-0 win over a direct rival and finally a win under our belt, but it felt a bit lucky, it felt a little bit undeserved. We were completely outplayed in every department, but with a little bit of individual skill and luck we managed to get a win. I think the play needs to seriously improve if we are to stand a chance against any team.