Villarreal overcome Valencia with authority and win again at Mestalla after seven seasons
Villarreal won the derby at Mestalla (0-2), with goals from Gerard and Comesaña. The Yellows were superior to Valencia CF, who were outplayed by the visitors’ football. With composure and quality, the Submarine returned to winning ways at the Valencian stronghold, earning three points in the capital of the Turia for the first time in seven seasons.
Before the match, Valencia CF organised a series of activations in tribute to the victims and those affected by the flooding that devastated towns and villages in the south of Valencia exactly one year ago. Committed to the cause, Villarreal CF wanted to contribute to this touching gesture by agreeing to play in their second kit so that the home side could wear their kit which has the colours of the flag of the Region of Valencia, the Senyera.
After the anthem of the Region of VAlencia and a minute’s silence, the show began at the Camp de Mestalla. The Submarine, who had not won there in any of their previous seven visits, came out with conviction and hunger to take the derby. They started by keeping more of the ball and frequently venturing into opposition territory.
To go for the win at Mestalla, Marcelino named a familiar starting XI with Luiz Júnior in goal; Mouriño, Foyth, Renato Veiga and Cardona at the back; Nicolas Pépé, Santi Comesaña, Pape Gueye and Moleiro in midfield; and a highly talented attacking duo formed by Gerard Moreno and Mikautadze.
From the quarter-hour mark, Valencia grew into the game and had their moment. In one local attack, Danjuma forced two yellow cards for Mouriño and Pape Gueye in the same move, a questionable decision by referee Javier Alberola that conditioned Villarreal’s defensive duels too early in the game.
Just after the half-hour, Valencia had the first clear chance of the match. Luiz Júnior produced a fine save to deny Luis Rioja, who had latched onto a cross from the opposite flank and forced the Villarreal goalkeeper into a full-stretch stop to prevent the opening goal at Mestalla.
Before the break, Copete brought down Gerard Moreno in the box. Despite being right next to the action, Alberola chose not to give a penalty. The VAR, however, called him over to review the incident, and upon a second look, he pointed to the spot. From twelve yards, Gerard Moreno, making his 300th appearance for Villarreal CF, took responsibility and calmly sent Agirrezabala the wrong way to make it 0-1 at Mestalla.
After the interval, the Submarine aimed to control possession and inject pace into their transitions. Trailing on the scoreboard, Valencia began leaving more space in behind their defensive line when in possession.
In one of those counter-attacks, Villarreal struck again. In the 56th minute, the Yellows, this time wearing white and burgundy, made it 0-2 with a fast break. Comesaña finished off a sharp low cross from Mikautadze from the left flank.
At 0-2, Villarreal had several chances to add a third. The clearest fell to Mikautadze, whose angled effort inside the box was well saved by Agirrezabala.
As expected, Valencia also had their opportunities. Danjuma came close with a dangerous strike, but Luiz Júnior again came to the rescue, parrying the shot before the Yellow defence cleared the danger.
Even with the two-goal cushion, the match remained very much alive. Valencia threw everything forward in search of a goal to reduce the deficit, while the Submarine lacked precision in the final pass, a shortcoming that prevented them from setting up their forwards one on one with the home goalkeeper on several occasions.
Despite that, Villarreal imposed their dominance, controlled possession superbly in the closing stages, and made Valencia chase shadows, resigned to watching the three derby points head back to Vila-real.
