Valencia CF made their cup debut for the season in a Thursday night game against Rayo Vallecano, taking a valuable 1-2 win from the first leg. The home side made things difficult for Nuno’s men, who had to recover from going a goal down. Paco Alcácer and Rodrigo de Paul scored for VCF, claiming two valuable goals to carry into the second leg at Mestalla on December 16th.

The game was a competitive affair, with Valencia CF the favourites going into the clash and Rayo renowned for their possession-based play and cavalier attacking style. The opening five minutes saw Rayo hold onto the ball, but VCF began to get into the game and attacked from the wings. The battle for control was intense, with no margin for error and the players showing maximum focus.

The first chance of the game fell to the home team, but goalkeeper Yoel –in for Diego Alves between the sticks- made a good stop from Baena’s dangerous shot just past the half-hour mark. It was a warning followed up by Álex Moreno, who scored in the aftermath of a corner. Rayo were ahead, and it would be down to VCF to fight back. Their initial attempt was a Filipe Augusto cutback which went behind Paco Alcácer.

Nuno decided not to make any changes at half time, but his side did intensify their attacking pressure. Rayo forced a double save from Yoel from close range, as the VCF stopper blocked first Nacho, then Moreno. Valencia’s Javi Fuego fired back with a shot from the edge of the area, saved comfortably by Cobeño. The game entered into its most intense phase and Pozuelo sent a shot just wide when looking for Rayo’s second.

Rodrigo de Paul was one of the players trying to convince his manager to give him more minutes, and he first unleashed an impressive shot inches wide, then beat two markers and sent in a cross –which unfortunately went unmet.

That was the prelude to Valencia CF’s equaliser; Cobeño could not control a ball back to him, and Álcacer pickpocketed the goalkeeper to place the ball into an empty net. The goal spurred on the visitors, and Nicolás Otamendi broke the offside trap son after for a strong header –stopped by Cobeño. Rayo were showing no signs of throwing in the towel, and Nuno was also looking for further goals; the VCF manager brought on André Gomes and local hero Álvaro Negredo –to an appreciative ovation from Vallecas– to look for new attacking alternatives.

The second VCF goal deservedly went to Rodrigo de Paul, who controlled a pass from Filipe Augusto and sent a precise shot past Cobeño. After turning the scoreline around, Valencia held onto the ball and ensured that they would take the 1-2 advantage into the second leg.

Copa del Rey

Estadio Municipal de Vallecas (Attendance: 8,500)

Rayo Vallecano 1 vs. 2 Valencia CF





Rayo Vallecano: Cobeño, Tito, Ze Castro (Antonio Amaya, min. 46), Morcillo, Nacho, Jozabed, Baena, Licá (Embarba min. 67), Pozuelo (Pereira, min. 75), Álex Moreno, Manucho.







Valencia CF: Yoel, Joao Cancelo, Shkodran Mustafi, Nicolás Otamendi, Lucas Orban, Javi Fuego, Filipe Augusto, Carles Gil (André Gomes min. 77), Rodrigo de Paul (Robert Ibáñez min. 86), Paco Alcácer (Álvaro Negedo, min. 80), Pablo Piatti.





Goals: 1-0, Álex Moreno min. 37. 1-1, Paco Alcácer min. 70. 1-2 Rodrigo de Paul min. 85.

Referee: Melero López. Yellow cards for Pozuelo, Licá (Rayo), Filipe Augusto, Yoel and Joao Cancelo (Valencia CF).