Valencia loses unbeaten record with defeat against Getafe
Valencia lost their unbeaten record and the chance to be two points behind leaders, Barcelona, with a embarrassing defeat against Getafe, who won 1-0 thanks to a spectacular goal from Markel Bergara after playing with one player less since the 25th minute due to the expulsion of Mauro Arambarri.
The match was conditioned by the departure of the Uruguayan midfielder, who in the last stage of the first half saw his second yellow card for a challenge on Martín Montoya that was heavily protested by the Getafe fans.
However, although he touched the ball, the Uruguayan player dragged the Valencia right-back and the referee's decision seemed correct. More doubtful was the linesman's decision, who just before disallowed a goal by Amath for offside.
Getafe, with one player less, even managed to dominate the game until half time. With less width than before Arambarri's departure, but they managed to stay in contention with one player less. They even had a clear opportunity, with a header from Jorge Molina after a pass from the also Uruguayan Damián Suárez that went over the crossbar when the Getafe forward was alone in front of Neto's goal.
The visit to the changing rooms increased Valencia's defects, unrecognizable at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. A rallying call was expected to end Getafe's dominance and go for the three points, but it didn't happen.
Ángel Rodríguez could have opened that path, but he sent the ball wide, grazing the right post of Neto, and a golden chance for Getafe went astray, who had half an hour ahead to achieve something positive.
Then, for a moment, it seemed that sanity took over Valencia, which finally started to perform and take possession of the ball. It took sixty minutes and that joy didn't last long because Markel Bergara appeared to shoot a goal from outside the area that went into Neto's goal out of nowhere. Bergara scored an authentic golazo.
Like in the first half, and in the same way, the only one who had some aim in Valencia was Parejo, who, once again, with a free kick, grazed the goal. In his fourth attempt, it was the post that prevented a good goal from Valencia's best player, who at least gave some honor to a dreadful match for the "ché" team.
Minutes passed, and Marcelino's team harassed Getafe's goal without any sense and couldn't overcome a team that put on a heroic performance to win a match that it was meant to lose. Valencia's bubble deflated on a terrible day and they lost their first game and the opportunity to finish the day two points behind the leader.
Getafe vs Valencia - Lineups
Getafe: Guaita, Molinero, Suárez, Bruno González, Dakonam, Bergara, Portillo, Arambarri, Ángel, Molina, Ndiaye.
Valencia: Neto, Gabriel Paulista, Martín Montoya, José Gayá, Rúben Vezo, Dani Parejo, Kondogbia, Andreas Pereira, Carlos Soler, Zaza, Rodrigo.
Stadium: Alfonso Pérez.
Time: 10:15 a.m. (Peru time).
Transmission channel: DirecTV Sports - beIN Sports.
With information from EFE
Getafe vs Valencia - Preview
Valencia will have a great opportunity to get closer to the top of LaLiga Santander in Spain when they visit Getafe at Alfonso Pérez stadium for the fourteenth round of the championship.
Marcelino's team must take advantage of Barcelona's draw against Celta on Saturday. If they win, they will be just two points behind the Blaugranas.
Valencia has the absences of the injured Ezequiel Garay, Jeison Murillo, Javi Jiménez, and Gonçalo Guedes for this match.
Atlético and Real Madrid, who couldn't beat Athletic Club (0-0 draw), seem to have no chance at the title, so Los Murciélagos are the only contenders for the Catalan team.
The Getafe vs Valencia match will be played this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. (Peru time) and will be televised by DirecTV Sports (Latin America) and beIN Sports (Spain).