Match report: Valencia CF lose away to Girona FC | OneFootball

Valencia CF lost 2-1 to Girona FC on Matchday 8 of the LALIGA EA SPORTS season, in a game held at the Estadi de Montilivi. Diego López scored the Valencia CF goal.

Just minutes into the match, Copete had to be brought on after Diakhaby suffered a muscle injury, when trying to stop Portu on the attack.

Girona FC had control of the game early on, and Valencia CF, lined up in a 4-4-2 defensive formation, hoped to take advantage of a quick link-up play or a counterattack..

Both teams brought great intensity to the contest. However, the first goal of the match went to the home side. Vanat took advantage of a second ball on the edge of the box and shot just inside Julen Agirrezabala's right post.

Valencia CF increased their pressure in the following minutes. They came close to equalising with a move between Thierry Correia and Pepelu on the right flank, which saw the ball reach Jesús Vázquez. He took a shot, but Gazzaniga made a great save down low.

Shortly after, Diego López tried to take advantage of a mistake by Daley Blind, but was unsuccessful.

The next chance for Carlos Corberán's team fell to Arnaut Danjuma. César Tárrega stole the ball and saw the Dutch striker unmarked, allowing him to run into the box off the pass and shoot at goal, although his shot failed to beat the Girona goalkeeper.

After the halftime break, Javi Guerra came on for Santamaría. He initiated a dangerous move thereafter, making a drive from midfield, connecting with Diego López on the edge of the Girona FC box, and the Asturian struck with his left foot, smashing his shot against the crossbar.

Moments later, Valencia CF pulled level. Danjuma and Lucas Beltrán passed the ball back and forth on the left flank. The winger advanced into the box and passed to Diego López, who was able to run and tap the ball into net, making it 1-1.

Valencia CF pressed hard and came very close to scoring their second, as they accumulated four consecutive chances through Javi Guerra, Tárrega, Correia and Copete.

However, from a free kick, the Catalan team scored again. Asprilla shot, Vanat struck a follow-up, Agirrezabala saved, but Arnau Martinez tapped in the rebound to take the score to 1-2.

With Ramazani and Hugo Duro coming on, Valencia CF went for another equaliser attempted to equalize. The Belgian shot from inside the box, but Gazzaniga saved.

Copete then headed from a corner and, on the rebound, came close once more.

In the next move, Iván Martín was sent off for Girona for a second bookable offence, having fouled Diego López.

Five minutes from time, Ramazani grazed the post with a shot from outside the box, and in stoppage time Javi Guerra spotted Rioja unmarked on the right wing. The attacker passed to Hugo Duro, who was unable to convert the chance, and the game ended 2-1.

Valencia CF's next game comes after the international break, as they play away to Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorroza on Monday, October 20th.

2. GIRONA FC: Gazzaniga, Arnau ©, Portu (Bryan, 83’), Asprilla (Lass, 83’), Vitor Reis, Francés (H. Rincón, 23’), Blind, Vanat (Stuani, 68’), Witsel, Iván Martín y Álex Moreno.

1. VALENCIA CF: Agirrezabala, Thierry R. (Ramazani, 72), Tárrega ©, Diakhaby (Copete, 6’), J. Vázquez, Santamaría (Javi Guerra, 46’), Pepelu, L. Rioja, Diego López (Raba, 83’), Beltrán (Hugo Duro, 72’) and Danjuma.