Both Andoni Iraola and José Bordalás they renewed their starting teams in depth introducing four novelties each, highlighting in Rayo the return of Argentine playmaker Oscar Trejo, suspended last day, and Hugo Duro, replacing Uruguayan Maxi Gómez, in Valencia’s attack.
The first to warn of his intentions was Rayo, with a low shot from the front of Oscar Valentín who left very close to the long post of the goal defended by Mamardashvili, who shortly after was the protagonist in saving Valencia, by clearing a low shot by Isi Palazón on the goal line.
Valencia, very conservative at the beginning, was gaining presence in the game as the minutes went by, although hardly disturbed throughout the first half to Rayo. All his offensive baggage was a long shot by Gustavo Guedes at 25 minutes that Stole Dimitrievski caught without problems.
The one who took the initiative was Rayo, who tried to propose an attack with Trejo’s imagination, always looking for Sergi Guardiolawho was about to surprise Mamardashvili with a center from the right that was poisoning and ended up hitting the crossbar.
In the second part, Valencia took the lead in the 56th minute with a goal from Carlos Soler, who finished off a ball that touched Alejandro Catena after a center from the right by Gustavo Guedes. Rayo did not fall apart and the goal raised their spirits to the point that until the end of the game they became completely masters of the game, dominating the Valencian team, which at times was besieged by their rival.
Isi Palazón, Rayo’s most decisive player, was able to level the match with a low shot that again met Mamardashvili, who once again saved his team. However, shortly after the Georgian goalkeeper couldn’t do anything before a crossed shot from Sergi Guardiolawho lodged at the bottom of the net, after a good pass to the run by Isi Palazón.
In the final minutes, Rayo locked Valencia in their area and were able to score the second goal, especially with the speed provided by Mamadou Sylla and Randy Nteka in attack, which made the visiting defense desperate.
Datasheet
1 – Vallecano Ray: Dimitrievsky; Balliu, Maras, Catena, Kevin Rodrigues (Nteka, m.72); Óscar Valentín, Unai López (Pathé Ciss, m.61); Isi, Trejo (Baby, m.72), Álvaro García and Sergi Guardiola (Sylla, m.90).
1 – Valencia: Mamardashvili; Thierry Correia, Alderete, Gabriel Paulista (Comert, m.84), Gayá; Hugo Guillamón, Ilaix (Foulquier, m.46), Musah (Racic, m.72), Carlos Soler; Hugo Duro (Marcos André, m.46) and Guedes (Vázquez, m.81).
goals: 0-1: M.57 Carlos Soler; 1-1: M.83 Guardiola.
Referee: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea (Basque Committee). He admonished Unai López (m.5), Balliu (93), Catena (96), from Rayo; and to Ilaix (8), Hugo Duro (42), Marcos André (74), Thierry (96), from Valencia.
Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 31 of the Santander League played at the Vallecas stadium in Madrid before 9,302 spectators.
