Match Report: Valencia CF down Sporting Gijon 0-2 in Copa del Rey clash | OneFootball

Valencia CF made their way through to the Last 16 of the Copa del Rey with a 0-2 win over Sporting Gijon, dominating at El Molinon and taking the advantage through goals from Lucas Beltrán and Dani Raba.

The main novelty in Carlos Corberán’s starting lineup for the game was the inclusion of Mouctar Diakhaby, returning after two months out through injury.

Four minutes into the game, Valencia CF took the lead through Beltrán, as he was the quickest to react from a rebound after  the goalkeeper saved from Jesús Vázquez.

Moments later, another attack ended with Largie Ramazani forcing a save from the goalkeeper, whilst Sporting Gijon struggled to match Valencia CF’s intensity. The home side did have several approaches into the box, but came up against a solid defensive line.

Beltrán was close to getting a second goal when Pepelu sent a ball over Pablo García and Diego López for a break into the area, with the latter cutting back for Beltrán to shoot. His effort was saved by C.J. Sánchez.

Next up, on the counterattack, Javi Guerra played through Ramazani, who missed a one-on-one.

Julen Agirrezabala made one save of note, stopping a shot from inside the area by Gaspar.

SECOND HALF

After the break, Corberán brought on Copete to replace Diakhaby, and three minutes later, Raba scored to make it 0-2: Pepelu played a perfect through ball behind the opposing centre backs, and the Cantabrian controlled and finished expertly past the goalkeeper.

Rioja and Ugrinic entered the game on the hour, just before Diego López broke into the area and had his shot stifled.

The next move was very similar to the previous one; Ramazani shot, but the goalkeeper parried away again.

Hugo Duro and Otorbi were brought on as Valencia CF's fourth and fifth substitutions, respectively, but there was no change in the scoreline -even after the latter had a positive chance before the end.

Valencia CF will next play RCD Mallorca at Mestalla on Friday, to start Matchday 17 of the LaLiga season.

MATCH STATS

0. REAL SPORTING: C.J. Sánchez, Kevin V. ©, Pablo V. (Iker Martínez, 66’), Perrin, P. García (A. Diego, 66’), O. Cortés, Manu R., Justin, Queipo (Coundoul, 66’), Gaspar (Kembo, 66’) and J.J. Caicedo.

2. VALENCIA CF: Agirrezabala, Foulquier, Tárrega ©, Diakhaby (Copete, 46’), J. Vázquez, Pepelu (Ugrinic, 59’), Javi Guerra, Diego López (Hugo Duro, 72’), Ramazani, Raba (Otorbi, 80’) and Beltrán (L. Rioja, 59’).