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Cadiz started well, and they caused most problems down the
flanks, with Enrique and Sesma as usual the main outlets. With Cadiz attacking
with the wind behind in the first half, most of the play was angled wide towards
the wingers, with Pavoni often dropping deep to get the ball. The first real
chance was in the 17th minute, Jonathan Sesma did well to win the
ball on the left, and after some fine passing Varela fired a low cross towards
the far post and the ever eager Oli, but Moretti managed to clear for a corner.
After spending much of the first half defending, Valencia´s class nearly saw
them score the first goal, Baraja taking a quick free-kick which was inch
perfect for David Villa, but Armando was out quickly and deflected the ball wide
for a corner. A momentary lapse, but a definite warning that the defence would
have to concentrate fully for 90 minutes. In the 31st minute, Cadiz
nearly scored after a gift from the visitors defence. A long kick from Armando
caught the wind and sailed over the Valencia back four and into Oli´s path, but
although Cañizares saved well from his volley, the fans favourite probably had
time to get the ball under control before shooting. In the next attack Cadiz did
have the ball in the back of the net. Good work from Pavoni on the right allowed
him to work the space for a cross, and as it narrowly missed Oli’s dive, Sesma used
his hand as he bundled the ball into the net. It earned him a booking, in a half
which also saw both Marchena and Ayala cautioned at the heart of the Valencia
defence. Paz was also shown the yellow card after the referee dropped it in the
wind to the delight of the crowd, but after he saw the linesman had already
flagged for offside he told Paz he had not in fact been booked, and the home
fans let Señor Delgado know what they thought of his officiating. The only
other chance of the first half came when Enrique’s inswinging free-kick eluded
everybody, but Cañizares did well to gather at the second attempt as a crowd of
players rushed in. The second half started with Cadiz on top, although their possession didn’t lead to any clear cut chances. That changed in the 66th minute. Enrique broke down the right, and when he nut-megged Marchena and theatrically went down, the ref waved play on. The linesman flagged however, and after some consultation the referee showed Marchena his second yellow card and the visitors were down to ten men. Cadiz then laid siege to the Valencia goal. First a deep cross found Enrique free at the far post, but his fine volley beat Cañizares only for Moretti to clear the ball to Fleurquin, who’s volley was then blocked. Then the best chance of the match. Oli stole the ball from Navarrese, and found himself one-on-one with Cañizares. As the keeper narrowed the angle, Oli unselfishly passed the ball into Pavoni’s path. With a defender racing back to the line, Pavoni opted for power, and from only six yards out his effort smashed against the underside of the bar. The ground fell silent as everyone tried to understand how the impressive Argentinian had missed. The match then swung back in the balance, as Oli’s knee high challenge in front of the dugouts was deemed to be a straight red card offence. Still Cadiz tried to play football, and Esparrago brought Benjamin on for Suarez to try and inject some more pace into midfield, but it was Valencia who then took the lead. Vicente swung in a dangerous cross from a free-kick in midfield, and as it missed everybody, the ball squirmed under the usually dependable Armando, who will feel he should have done better. Despite substitute Mirosavlejvic’s late blocked shot, the home fans went away disappointed with the result. If the team can keep up this level of performance though, they will surely win many more games this season, and they should have no fears when they travel to a struggling Betis team next weekend for the second derby of the season. |
For
the second consecutive home game Cadiz failed to take advantage of a numerical
advantage on the pitch and ended up losing all three points. With a strong
Levante wind howling around the ground, Esparrago sent out his usual starting
eleven to face a Valencia team including Cañizares, Ayala, Marchena, Albelda,
Baraja, Rufete, Vicente, Mista and the impressive David Villa, whilst also
having Angulo, Aimar and Di Vaio amongst the substitutes.