Valencia achieved an important victory by winning 1-0 to Mallorca in a match that took place in Mestalla, which helps them to stay away from the zone of descent. With this victory, Valencia adds 35 points and is placed in the 15th position, six points from the descent posts. On the other hand, the Majorca faced an obstacle in his quest to reach the European posts, staying in the 8th position with 40 points, just four points from the Conference League. The party, which was full of intensity but with few clear opportunities, was decided thanks to a goal of Diego López in the second half.
Initial alignments
- Valencia (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Tárrega, Gayà (C); Barrenechea, Javi Guerra; Diego López, André Almeida (Pepelu, min. 80), Luis Rioja (Germán Valera, min. 80); Sadiq (Hugo Duro, min. 67).
- Banking: Dimitrievski (P.s.), Aarons, Yarek, Guillamón, Fran Pérez, Rubo, Vázquez.
- Lows: Ivan Jaime, Thierry Correia, Diakhaby.
- Mallorca (5-4-1): Greif; Maffeo, David López, Raíllo (C), Copete, Lato; Takuma Asano (Dani Rodríguez, min. 67), Manu Morlanes (Antonio Sánchez, min. 80), Samú Costa, Sergi Darder; Abdón Prats (Cyle Larin, min. 67).
- Banking: Cuéllar (P.s.), Nacho Vidal, Valjent, Nastasic, Jaume Costa, Mascarell, Robert Navarro.
- Lows: Robert Navarro.
Valencia
- Tactical provision: Carlos Corberán opted for 4-2-3-1, using Barrenechea and Javi Guerra as the double pivot to provide solidity in the center of the countryside. Diego López and Luis Rioja were in charge of opening the game for the bands, while André Almeida moved as a hook right behind Sadiq. High pressure was fundamental, achieving 52% possession and a heat map that focused on the rival area.
- Offensive phase: Valencia had a total of 12 shots, of which 4 went to the door, accumulating 1.4 expected goals (xG). The only goal of the party came in the 54th minute, thanks to Diego Lopez, who finished a Gayà center in the second stick. Sadiq had several opportunities, but Greif and a little lack of aiming prevented the marker from being more lumpy. Javi Guerra was also close to marking, with a shot that crashed into the stick in the 48th minute.
- Defensive phase: The defense, led by Mosquera and Tárrega, stood firm, winning 55% of the duels. Mamardashvili was fundamental in making a big stop to Asano at minute 3, while Gayà and Foulquier did a good job holding the bands. However, the team had to suffer in the last few minutes with the balones hung from Mallorca.
- Tactical Key: High pressure and intensity in the middle, driven by Barrenechea and Guerra, allowed Valencia to recover balloons in critical areas. The entrance of Hugo Duro brought more presence in the area, while Pepelu and Valera offered better control in the final moments.
Mallorca
- Tactical provision: Jagoba Arrasate opted for 5-4-1, seeking defensive solidarity with three plants (David López, Raíllo, Copete) and long lanes (Maffeo and Lato). Asano and Darder tried to generate danger in transitions, with Abdon Prats as a point reference.
- Offensive phase: Majorca had a total of 9 shots, of which 3 went to the door, with a 0.9 xG. The best opportunity of the team came with a shot of Asano in minute 3, which was arrested by Mamardashvili, and another auction of Dani Rodríguez in the 85th minute that was diverted. The lack of depth and the limited connection between the lines limited their ability to attack.
- Defensive phase: The bermellona defense was quite solid in the first half, but a sloppy in the brand during the goal of Diego López (Maffeo and Copete did not manage to close the second stick) was expensive. Greif played a fundamental role, making several stops, including a Sadiq head that pulled right over the line at minute 62.
- Tactical Key: The changes made by Arrasate, including Dani Rodríguez, Larin and Antonio Sánchez, were aimed at giving the game more verticality, but Mallorca could not tie the match. Their best time came at first, with a shot from Asano, but the lack of creativity in the second half passed them bill.
goals and assistance
- 1-0 (min. 54): Diego López, assistance of José Gayà.
MVP of the Party
Diego López was the MVP of the meeting. The end of Valencia marked the goal of victory with a big head, generated 2 chances of goal and completed 3 regates. Its intensity and overflow by the right band were key to unbalance the Mallorca.
Scores of Players
- Valencia:
- Mamardashvili: 7.5 – Great stop to Asano and safety under sticks.
- Foulquier: 6.5 – Right, although he suffered with Asano.
- Mosquera: 7 – Solid in court.
- Tarregue: 7 – Sure, he won duels to Abdon.
- Gayà: 8 – He attended Diego López and was a stagger on the left.
- Barrenechea: 7 – Yellow, but great work in the middle.
- Javi Guerra: 7.5 – Rozó el gol con un disparo al palo.
- Diego López: 9 – MVP, goal and constant overflow.
- André Almeida: 6.5 – Active, but imprecise.
- Luis Rioja: 6 – He tried to overflow, but without success.
- Sadiq: 6 – He failed several clear occasions.
- Substitutes:
- Hugo Duro: 6.5 – He was present.
- Pepelu: 6 – Dio control.
- Germán Valera: 6 – No impact.
- Mallorca:
- Greif: 7.5 – Key stops, like Sadiq’s head.
- Maffeo: 5.5 – Failed in the score of the goal.
- David López: 6 – Right, but slow in some actions.
- Rail: 6 – Yellow, lost duels.
- Copete: 5.5 – Overboard by Diego López.
- Lato: 6 – He tried to join the attack.
- Takuma Asano: 6.5 – The clearest of Mallorca, replaced.
- Manu Morlanes: 6 – Yellow, little influential.
- Samú Costa: 6 – Yellow, fought in the middle.
- Sergi Darder: 6.5 – Yellow, tried to generate danger.
- Abdón Prats: 5.5 – Isolated, on occasion.
- Substitutes:
- Dani Rodríguez: 6 – Yellow, a deviant shot.
- Cyle Larin: 6 – No impact.
- Antonio Sánchez: 6 – Little time.
Arbitrary and VAR polyester
The party, led by Hernández Maeso with De Burgos Bengoetxea in the VAR, made several controversial decisions:
- Miss not Pitada to Morlanes (min. 25):
- Description: Javi Guerra committed a lack on Morlanes in the middle of the country, but Hernández Maeso let go. The VAR didn’t intervene.
- Impact: Arrasate received a yellow one for protesting, and in the Movistar+ broadcast it was pointed out that “the lack was clear.” Iturralde González, in SER, said: “It is an obvious fault, the VAR should have revised.”
- Entry of Dani Rodríguez to Barrenechea (min. 89):
- Description: Dani Rodríguez made a hard-to-ear grass entrance over Barrenechea, receiving yellow. The bench of Valencia asked for red, but the VAR did not intervene.
- Impact: The decision generated indignation in Valencia. Iturralde González said: “It is an entry to the limit, but the yellow is enough.”
- Lack of Foulquier (min. 90+2):
- Description: Foulquier received yellow for wasting time after asking for medical assistance, but then rose quickly.
- Impact: The fondness of Majorca protested, and Arrasate showed his frustration at a press conference.
Post-Partido statements
- Carlos Corberán (Valencia): “To win, the level of activation and concentration must be the maximum. Majorca is a complete team, and we have made a very serious match. Diego López has been spectacular, and Mestalla has been key again.”
- Jagoba Arrasate (Mallorca): “We are fucked, because I think we could have gotten something out here. We had illusion, but we lacked clarity. Some arbitral decisions did not help us, but it is no excuse.”
- Diego López (Valencia): “I have raised myself here and I have given everything for this shield. I’m very happy for the goal and victory. Mestalla is amazing, it takes us in volandas.”
- José Gayà (Valencia): “It is a very important triumph for us. The team is growing, and these three points give us confidence to continue.”
- Abdón Prats (Mallorca): “We had a lot of illusion, because each point brings us closer to more beautiful goals. We missed precision in the last few meters.”
Covers of World Sports Journals
- Spain:
- Brand brand: “Valencia breathes! Diego López sinks to Mallorca (1-0)”.
- AS: “Diego López gives Valencia oxygen to a Mallorca off (1-0)”.
- World of Sports: “Valencia clings to Mestalla: 1-0 to Mallorca with goal of Diego López”.
- Sport: “Diego López saves Valencia in a grey match (1-0)”.
- International:
- L’Équipe (France): “Valencia s’impose face à Mallorca grâce à Diego López (1-0)”.
- The Guardian (United Kingdom): “Valencia edge Mallorca 1-0 to ease relegation fears”.
- ESPN (Global): “Diego López’s header gives Valencia a crucial 1-0 win over Mallorca”.
- Olé (Argentina): “Valencia se salva! He won 1-0 to Mallorca with a goal of Diego López”.
Extended Analysis
Valencia was more solid in Mestalla, where it has become a real fort under the direction of Carlos Corberán. The high pressure and intensity in the center of the field, led by Barrenechea and Javi Guerra, allowed the team to dominate much of the meeting, although the lack of aiming (Sadiq failed several clear opportunities) maintained the adjusted marker. Diego López, with his goal and his ability to overboard, was the key player, while Gayà and Mamardashvili provided security at crucial times.
On the other hand, the Mallorca presented a more off version of what it usually is. The defensive solidity they showed in the first half faded after the goal of Diego López, and the lack of connection between lines prevented them from creating real danger. Asano and Darder were the most active, but Larin and Dani Rodríguez’s entry failed to change the party’s dynamics. Greif avoided that defeat was more lumped with several prominent stops.
Arbitral decisions, especially the unpunished failure of Morlanes and the entry of Dani Rodríguez, increased the discontent of Mallorca, which felt that arbitration had an impact on the result. However, Valencia took victory justly thanks to its increased intensity and clarity in attack. This result reinforces Valencia in its struggle for permanence, while Mallorca needs to improve its out-of-home performance to continue in the fight for Europe.
