Week 15: 4-7-4 19 points Another very physical match 1-1 home draw against Rayo Vallecano. Lots of yellow cards and one penalty on Duro, dispatched by Soler for the Valencia goal. Goals - Assists Guedes 4 - 4 Soler 5 - 2 Duro 4 - 0 Gaya 2 - 2 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 22 Goals conceded: 21 Clean sheets: 5
First Round, Copa del Rey. CD Utrillas 0-3 Valencia 27' Marcos Andre, assist from Musah 52' Musah, rebound from Racic penalty kick saved by goalkeeper and pushed out to Musah 70' Koindredi shot from distance I love how Spain runs the Copa del Rey. They allow the smaller, lower divsion clubs to host the big clubs as they move up through the rounds. This is fun to watch, to see the local fans turn out and bring the atmosphere to these small grounds. Utrillas is up in the mountains northwest of Valencia and everyone was bundled up against the cold, drinking hot stuff, and chatting with their neighbors. Awesome atmosphere. It was nice to see some of the second squad players get extensive runouts. Soler, Guedes, Guillamon, Duro, Wass, Gaya, Alderete were all on the bench. Musah looked good going forward, and Cheryshev got good minutes after his long injury (or Covid) spell.
Week 16: 5-7-4 22 points Valencia went up to Galicia to take on Celta Vigo and came away with a scrappy 1-2 win. Passing was poor (55% completion rate) and there were defensive lapses, mostly in the first half, but a Hugo Duro goal made it 1-1 and then Gaya sent in a long cross that Maxi Gomez took down in the box and beat the keeper for the match winner. Goals - Assists Guedes 4 - 4 Soler 5 - 2 Duro 5 - 0 Gaya 2 - 3 Gomez 2 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 24 Goals conceded: 22 Clean sheets: 5
Week 17: 6-7-4 25 points Another scrappy 2-1 win, this time at home against Elche. Cillessen sent a long ball downfield to the left side to Guedes, who moved back into the middle of the pitch and beat the goalkeeper on the right side with a shot from the edge of the box. Match winner came from a corner that Diakhaby headed down into the path of Piccini, who put it into the upper roof of the net. Cillessen made a late save to preserve the win, and a couple of earlier saves that show why he's the #1 keeper. Valencia's backline had none of the usual suspects: Foulquier, Diakhaby, Guillamon, and Lato, with Lato picking up an injury and Piccini coming on to replace him. Goals - Assists Guedes 5 - 4 Soler 5 - 2 Duro 5 - 0 Gaya 2 - 3 Gomez 2 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 26 Goals conceded: 23 Clean sheets: 5
Second Round, Copa del Rey. Valencia left it late to beat Arenteiro 1 - 3 up in the Galician region. Within the first minute, Musah scored off a corner kick that ping ponged in the box and with his back towards goal, he backheeled the ball past the keeper. Arenteiro tied it up within a few minutes, getting past the young central defender Tarrega easily for a shot past keeper Domenech. Match went into extra 30 minutes, when Guillamon backheeled the ball past the keeper (ala Musah) from an assist by Diakhaby (might have been a corner). Finally, Manu Vallejo took a pass from Helder Costa and put the match to rest at 113'. Copa del Rey scoring (Goals-Assists) Musah 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 0 Guillamon 1 - 0 Vallejo 1 - 0 Koindredi 1 - 0 Costa 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Goals scored: 6 Goals conceded: 1 Clean sheets: 1
Week 18: 7-7-4 28 points Valencian derby match with Valencia CF visiting Levante. Levante took a quick 2-0 lead, hitting CF on the break as CF were pushing for their opening goal. Given how my other three teams played yesterday (all losses), I had a sinking feeling about this one. Right before halftime, Hugo Duro played a 1-2 with Guedes who rifled the ball past the Levante keeper for the 2-1 going in to the break. In the second half, Soler scored a PK to make it 2-2, and then was set up by Guedes for the 2-3. With Levante pressing for the draw, Marcos Andre sent Guedes in on goal on a break, for the 2-4. Levante pulled one back on 90+1", but Valencia held off a late corner to take all three points. Whew! Living dangerously with a defensive pairing of Diakhaby and Guillamon. Goals - Assists Guedes 7 - 5 Soler 7 - 2 Duro 5 - 1 Gaya 2 - 3 Gomez 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 30 Goals conceded: 26 Clean sheets: 5
Week 19: 7-7-5 28 points Heart breaking 1-2 home loss to Espanyol. Valencia were clearly the better side early on, and Duro hit a post with a header. In the second half, a Costa cross was headed in by Alderete for the opener. Unfortunately, Espanyol came down on a break and Duro fouled in the box for a PK, thus 1-1, in minute 83. Duro sent off with a red card, and Espanyol came back down and scored on a headed cross at 88'. Valencia challenged late, but another shot hit the cross bar and a couple of other excellent chances were wasted. Just when you think they have turned the corner .... Goals - Assists Guedes 7 - 5 Soler 7 - 2 Duro 5 - 1 Gaya 2 - 3 Gomez 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Alderete 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 31 Goals conceded: 28 Clean sheets: 5
Round 3 of Copa del Ray (Round of 32) Valencia was hosted by FC Cartagena and came away with a 1-2 win. Goals came from Soler on a free kick from the edge of the box, and Cheryshev off a botched save which Cartagena goalkeeper pushed out into his path. Copa del Rey scoring (Goals-Assists) Musah 2 - 1 Soler 1 - 0 Cheryshev 1 - 0 Andre 1 - 0 Guillamon 1 - 0 Vallejo 1 - 0 Koindredi 1 - 0 Costa 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Goals scored: 8 Goals conceded: 2 Clean sheets: 1
Week 20: 7-7-6 28 points Went to Madrid and lost to Real 4-1. Ref bias in favor of the Big Two is so evident. Real given a PK when a Valencia player didn't get out of the way of a Real player who flopped into the box from outside. It wasn't a foul, and it certainly wasn't inside the box. Whatever. Only Valencia goal was a PK by Guedes. Valencia player pulled down when he had a clear scoring opportunity. Commentator stated that it was a clear red card offense, but of course ref only gave a yellow. Goals - Assists Guedes 8 - 5 Soler 7 - 2 Duro 5 - 1 Gaya 2 - 3 Gomez 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Alderete 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 32 Goals conceded: 32 Clean sheets: 5
Copa del Rey, Round 4 (Group of 16) Valencia went to Palma, Mallorca, and defeated CD Atletico Baleares 0-1 on a first minute goal by Marcos Andre, set up by Racic. Jaume Domenech in goal got the clean sheet. Copa del Rey scoring (Goals-Assists) Musah 2 - 1 Andre 2 - 0 Soler 1 - 0 Cheryshev 1 - 0 Guillamon 1 - 0 Vallejo 1 - 0 Koindredi 1 - 0 Costa 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Racic 0 - 1 Goals scored: 9 Goals conceded: 2 Clean sheets: 2
Copa del Rey, Round 5 (Group of 8) Valencia beat Cadiz 2-1 in Mestalla from a Guedes goal (Duro assist) and then a Duro header from a Soler corner. Bryan Gil and Comert got starts for first time this season. Copa del Rey scoring (Goals-Assists) Musah 2 - 1 Andre 2 - 0 Duro 1 - 1 Soler 1 - 1 Guedes 1 - 0 Cheryshev 1 - 0 Guillamon 1 - 0 Vallejo 1 - 0 Koindredi 1 - 0 Costa 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Racic 0 - 1 Goals scored: 11 Goals conceded: 3 Clean sheets: 2
Week 23: 7-9-7 30 points Home 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad keeps Valencia firmly mid-table. Bordalas benched some starters who played in the mid-week Cup match and the few offensive chances were a reflection of that. Mamardashvili with a rare start and he made a couple of key saves to keep this a draw. Goals - Assists Guedes 9 - 6 Soler 7 - 2 Duro 6 - 1 Gaya 2 - 4 Gomez 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Alderete 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Musah 1 - 0 Lato 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 35 Goals conceded: 36 Clean sheets: 6
Copa del Rey, Round 6 (Group of 4) Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Valencia in San Mames Bilbao owned the first half with a headed goal by Garcia off a laser free kick from Muniain. Valencia played the better in the second half, and got a goal when a Gil side footer was palmed by goalkeeper into the path of Duro who put it away. This Bryan Gil is an eye opener; he has added much to the offense, bringing great energy and putting in a lot of crosses. Hugo Duro is also having a breakout season with 8 goals so far in all competitions. I like our chances at the Mestalla for advancing into the final. Copa del Rey scoring (Goals-Assists) Musah 2 - 1 Duro 2 - 1 Andre 2 - 0 Soler 1 - 1 Guedes 1 - 0 Cheryshev 1 - 0 Guillamon 1 - 0 Vallejo 1 - 0 Koindredi 1 - 0 Costa 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Racic 0 - 1 Goals scored: 12 Goals conceded: 4 Clean sheets: 2
Week 25: 7-9-9 30 points Hosted Barcelona at Mestalla and got a 1-4 beating. Only goal was Soler heading in a Gil cross. Goals - Assists Guedes 10 - 6 Soler 8 - 2 Duro 6 - 1 Gaya 2 - 4 Gomez 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Alderete 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Musah 1 - 0 Gil 0 - 1 Lato 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 37 Goals conceded: 42 Clean sheets: 6
Week 27: 9-9-9 36 points Finally, a league match to be proud of, 3-1 home defeat of Granada. Soler free kick headed in by Guedes; Soler corner kick headed in by Maxi Gomez; and Soler PK after a foul in the box on Gomez. Week 26 was a 0-1 away win at Mallorca, with Paulista scrambling in a goal from a goal mouth ruck. Goals - Assists Guedes 11 - 6 Soler 9 - 4 Duro 6 - 1 Gaya 2 - 4 Gomez 3 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Alderete 2 - 0 Paulista 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Musah 1 - 0 Gil 0 - 1 Lato 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 41 Goals conceded: 43 Clean sheets: 7
Week 28: 9-10-9 37 points A 0-0 away draw to Getafe keeps Valencia in 9th place in the table. Goals - Assists Guedes 11 - 6 Soler 9 - 4 Duro 6 - 1 Gaya 2 - 4 Gomez 3 - 1 Paulista 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Alderete 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Musah 1 - 0 Gil 0 - 1 Lato 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 41 Goals conceded: 43 Clean sheets: 8
Week 34: Valencia 1-1 Levante Duro goal (Gaya assist) Week 35: Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Valencia Week 36: Valencia 0-3 Real Betis Week 37: Espanyol 1-1 Valencia Gomez (Correia) The mid-table mediocrity continues. Goals - Assists Guedes 12 - 7 Soler 11 - 5 Duro 7 - 1 Gaya 2 - 5 Gomez 3 - 1 Paulista 2 - 1 Andre 1 - 2 Alderete 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Gomez 1 - 0 Guillamon 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Musah 1 - 0 Correia 0 - 1 Gil 0 - 1 Lato 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 46 Goals conceded: 53 Clean sheets: 11
Week 38: 11-15-12 48 points, 9th place Valencia 2-0 Celta Vigo Valencia finally won a match, at home, to finish 4 places higher than last season. Maxi Gomez got a rare goal from a Marcos Andre assist, and then a Celta player put in an own goal. Goals - Assists Guedes 12 - 7 Soler 11 - 5 Duro 7 - 1 Gaya 2 - 5 Gomez 4 - 1 Andre 1 - 3 Paulista 2 - 1 Alderete 2 - 0 Wass 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Gomez 1 - 0 Guillamon 1 - 0 Piccini 1 - 0 Musah 1 - 0 Correia 0 - 1 Gil 0 - 1 Lato 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Diakhaby 0 - 1 Cillessen 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 2 Goals scored: 48 Goals conceded: 53 Clean sheets: 12