Sidnei control the ball in front of Parejo.

MATCH REPORT | All square at Mestalla (0-0)

A goalless intense game

Real Betis Balompié and Valencia CF tied today after a quite even game. Betis began better than their rival and kept the possession for most of the game, but the home team improved as minutes went by and at the end everything was quite even. Lo Celso made his debut coming on in the second half and left some very good moments.

The game began with Betis displaying a quite offensive set up, trying to take the ball as usual. On the other end, the high pressure from Valencia worked at certain moments, and the first chance was for the home side. Cheryshev got the ball on the left after a counterattack and delivered a low cross. Gameiro shot but Pau made a good save. A couple of minutes later, Kondogbia fell injured and had to leave the game. The Green and Whites tried to shook the pressure off moving the ball with elegance.

In this way, after a long play, Betis had the first clear chance. Canales got the ball just outside the box and produced a curved ball looking for the far the post, missing the target by inches. A couple of minutes later, Betis had the best of the whole game. Boudebouz gave a marvellous pass to Inui. The Japanese dribbled the keeper and shot, but Piccini cleared the ball over the goal line. The final minutes of the first half were of total Green and White control. Mandi could score just before half time, but his heard was blocked by Doménech.

The game resumed for the start of the second half and none of the teams made changes. From the beginning, and as it happened in the first half, Betis tried to get the ball, but Valencia had begun with and extra gear than before. In this way, soon they had their best in the game, when Parejo hit crossbar with a left-footed effort. Betis replied with a great collective play that Junior finished with a slightly high shot.

Both managers began to move their benches and made some changes. Joaquín replaced Inui and the skipper took little time to have his first. A free-kick in which Doménech denied the goal. 13 minutes before the end, Lo Celso made his debut coming on for Boudebouz. With all the changes made, both teams went for the victory.

Sergio León had a great one after a counterattack but Doménech saved his team with a great hand. Both sides tried to attack until the end but, at the same time, focused on defence to not concede changes.

 

Valencia CF: Doménech, Piccini, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gayà, Parejo, Kondogbia (Wass 14?), Ferrán (Guedes 62?), Cheryshev (Batshuayi 77?), Rodrigo, Gameiro.
Booked: Ferrán (16?), Parejo (30?), Piccini (62?), Paulista (73?), Diakhaby (76?), Batshuayi (92?).

Real Betis Balompié: Pau López, Francis, Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei, Junior, Guardado, Canales, Boudebouz (Lo Celso 77?), Inui (Joaquín 62?), Sanabria (Sergio León 67?).
Booked: Sanabria (36?), Guardado (76?), Pau López (80?).