“A heated argument between Antonio Blanco and Javi Guerra results in yellow cards for both players, setting a tense tone for the rest of the match.”
“Substitute Luis Rioja finds the net from the center of the box to double Valencia's advantage on the night, effectively ending Alavés's hopes of a comeback.”
Pivotal
Deportivo Alavés
Valencia
Outstanding performance
Valencia•DefenderValencia soaked up sustained Alavés pressure - conceding 60 dangerous attacks to just 29 - but made their limited chances count, riding a disallowed or otherwise nullified early goal before Luis Rioja's second-half winner sealed it. Alavés dominated territory and shots (15 to 10) and even missed two big chances, but their profligacy in front of goal proved costly against a Valencia side content to sit deep and counter through Javi Guerra and Arnaut Danjuma. The match was littered with cards - five yellows, several stemming from a heated 21st-minute argument between Antonio Blanco and Javi Guerra - reflecting the physical, niggly nature of the contest. For Valencia this is a statement road win that should boost confidence in the title conversation, while Alavés will be frustrated at squandering territorial dominance and big chances against a team they controlled for large spells.
How entertaining was this match?
Attempt saved. Lucas Boyé's header from the center of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Stole Dimitrievski. The chance was assisted by Nicolás Valentini with a cross.
Mariano Díaz from Alaves wins a free kick on the left wing.
Arnau Martínez of Valencia commits a foul.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 5 minutes of added time.
Attempt missed. Youssef Enriquez from Alaves takes a left-footed shot from outside the box.
Foul committed by Arnaut Danjuma of Valencia.
Pablo Ibáñez from Alaves wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Arnaut Danjuma from Valencia has his right-footed shot from the right side of the box saved in the center of the goal by Antonio Sivera from Alaves.
Pablo Ibáñez from Alaves has his right-footed shot from the right side of the box blocked.
Substitution for Alaves: Carles Aleñá comes on for Ángel Pérez.
Substitution for Alaves: Ander Guevara comes on for Antonio Blanco.
Substitution for Alaves: Miguel Rodríguez comes on for Abde Rebbach.
Miguel Rodríguez from Alaves is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
José Gayà from Valencia commits a foul.
Attempt missed. David Otorbi from Valencia has a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that goes to the left. He was assisted by Javi Guerra after a fast break.
Substitution for Valencia: Iker Córdoba comes on for Justin de Haas.
Substitution for Valencia: Arnau Martínez comes on for Pablo Maffeo.
Substitution for Valencia: Jesús Vázquez comes on for Luis Rioja due to an injury.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Luis Rioja from Valencia.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
assist: Javi Guerra
Goal! Valencia takes the lead 1-0 with a right-footed shot from Luis Rioja in the center of the box.
Attempt blocked. Javi Guerra's right-footed shot from outside the box for Valencia is blocked. Arnaut Danjuma provided the assist.
Ville Koski from Alaves wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Javi Guerra from Valencia commits a foul.
Attempt blocked. Abde Rebbach from Alaves has his right-footed shot from the left side of the box blocked.
Corner awarded to Alaves after a concession by Pablo Maffeo.
Substitution for Valencia: David Otorbi comes on for Guido Rodríguez.
Substitution for Alaves: Youssef Enriquez comes on for Denis Suárez.
Foul committed by Pablo Ibáñez of Alaves.
Guido Rodríguez from Valencia wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution for Alaves: Mariano Díaz comes on for Toni Martínez.
Substitution for Valencia: Luis Rioja comes on for Hugo Duro.
Guido RodríguezYellow CardGuido Rodríguez from Valencia receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Nahuel Tenaglia from Alaves wins a free kick on the right wing.
Guido Rodríguez from Valencia commits a foul.
Attempt blocked. Lucas Boyé from Alaves has his right-footed shot from the right side of the box blocked.
Abde Rebbach from Alaves wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Pablo Maffeo commits a foul for Valencia.
Attempt missed by Toni Martínez from Alaves, who took a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Foul committed by Justin de Haas of Valencia.
Toni Martínez from Alaves wins a free kick on the right wing.
Arnaut Danjuma from Valencia has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked.
Pablo Ibáñez from Alaves wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Aaron Mayol of Valencia.
Aaron Mayol of Valencia receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Valencia wins a corner after Ville Koski concedes.
Toni Martínez of Alaves is caught offside.
The second half begins with the score at Alaves 0, Valencia 0.
Attempt saved. Ángel Pérez from Alaves has his right-footed shot from outside the box saved in the bottom left corner by Stole Dimitrievski of Valencia.
Attempt saved. Stole Dimitrievski from Valencia saves a header from Ville Koski of Alaves, taken from the center of the box, in the center of the goal.
The first half ends with Alaves and Valencia tied at 0-0.
PepeluYellow CardPepelu from Valencia receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Pepelu from Valencia commits a foul.
Toni Martínez from Alaves is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
Attempt missed. Toni Martínez from Alaves takes a right-footed shot from over 35 yards.
Foul committed by Aaron Mayol of Valencia.
Antonio Blanco from Alaves wins a free kick on the right wing.
Pablo Ibáñez from Alaves misses a header from the center of the box, sending it to the right. Ángel Pérez provided the assist with a cross.
Attempt saved. Toni Martínez from Alaves has a left-footed shot from the left side of the box that is saved.
Toni Martínez from Alaves wins a free kick on the right wing.
Guido Rodríguez from Valencia commits a foul.
Offside called against Valencia. Filip Ugrinic is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Ángel Pérez from Alaves has a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that is blocked.
Attempt missed. Pablo Ibáñez from Alaves takes a left-footed shot from the right side of the box.
Foul committed by Lucas Boyé of Alaves.
Guido Rodríguez from Valencia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Lucas Boyé from Alaves has a left-footed shot from the left side of the box that goes wide to the right. He was assisted by Denis Suárez with a through ball.
Valencia is called offside as Javi Guerra is caught in an offside position.
Hugo Duro's header from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Arnaut Danjuma's cross.
Valencia wins a corner after Nicolás Valentini concedes.
Valencia wins a corner after Antonio Sivera concedes.
Hugo Duro's left-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Arnaut Danjuma.
Valencia wins a corner after Nicolás Valentini concedes.
Attempt saved. Pablo Maffeo from Valencia has his right-footed shot from outside the box saved in the center of the goal by Antonio Sivera from Alaves.
Javi GuerraYellow CardJavi Guerra from Valencia receives a yellow card.
Antonio BlancoYellow CardAntonio Blanco from Alaves receives a yellow card.
Valencia wins a corner after Nicolás Valentini concedes.
Foul committed by Ville Koski of Alaves.
Hugo Duro from Valencia wins a free kick in the attacking half.
VAR is checking the goal by Arnaut Danjuma for Valencia.
Offside called against Valencia. Arnaut Danjuma is caught offside.
Goal! Valencia takes the lead 1-0 with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box by Arnaut Danjuma.
Foul committed by Ville Koski of Alaves.
Hugo Duro from Valencia wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed by Guido Rodríguez from Valencia, who took a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Denis Suárez from Alaves wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Filip Ugrinic from Valencia commits a foul.
Guido Rodríguez from Valencia is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Abde Rebbach of Alaves.
Nicolás Valentini from Alaves wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Aaron Mayol of Valencia.
Alaves win a corner after José Gayà concedes.
Attempt blocked. Javi Guerra from Valencia has a right-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked. He was assisted by Stole Dimitrievski.
Ángel Pérez from Alaves is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by José Gayà of Valencia.
Toni Martínez of Alaves is caught offside.
Foul committed by Lucas Boyé of Alaves.
Arnaut Danjuma from Valencia wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Alaves are called offside as Lucas Boyé is caught in an offside position.
First half begins.
Deportivo Alavés welcome a Valencia side in freefall to Mendizorroza, with Los Che arriving without a permanent head coach after axing Carlos Corberán just days before kickoff. Alavés sit fourth and unbeaten at home, while Valencia languish in the relegation zone winless in eight, making this one of the most lopsided fixtures on paper this season.
