Valencia CF played against Sporting Gijon in the first leg of the last 16 in the Copa del Rey at El Molinón
Valencia CF had a great start to the game Michy Basthuayi had the first chance of the game in the 1st minute when he tried to round the keeper but the defender put the block in as Sporting Gijon were having much of the possession.
Kevin Gameiro and Jose Luis Gayà linked up brilliantly but the Sporting Gijon keeper kept it at 0-0 with a double save first to a Gayàpoint-blank range effort and then, to Carlos Soler’s follow-up shot which was tipped behind for a corner.
Real Sporting Gijon got themselves in front through Javier Noblejas who found an open goal following an André Sousa low cross on 34 minutes and against the run of play. The defender made it 1-0 to the home side.
Parity was restored on the stroke of half time through Kevin Gameiro’s follow up header after Parejo’s shot almost clipped in off the bar but the play was reviewed by the VAR and eventually, the goal stood up.
📝 CRÓNICA El Valencia CF pierde en Gijón y buscará el pase a cuartos de Copa en Mestalla (2-1)https://t.co/bcX9ResjJo pic.twitter.com/MgaQv1gLpe
— Valencia CF 🦇💯 (@valenciacf) January 8, 2019
Valencia CF and Sporting Gijon were locked together at 1-1 at the break. Valencia CF came out in the second half looking to score and retain possession. Rodrigo Moreno replaced Michy Batshuayi at half-time.
Sporting had much of the ball during the second half but the game sparked to life with twenty minutes to go with a great interplay between Dani Parejo, Rodrigo Moreno and Kang in who delivered a great ball into Gameiro who could not quite get on the end of it with the header and put it over on the overhead kick.
Valencia CF kept on pushing for the equaliser through Rodrigo Moreno who headed it wide minutes later.
Sporting Gijon came back from behind through Blackman who nodded it past Jaume meeting a cross into the box from Traver.
Valencia CF kept on looking for a late equaliser but the game finished 1-2 to Sporting Gijon at El Molinón. Valencia CF will be back in action on Saturday at 4.15 pm where they will welcome Valladolid in the final game of the first half of the season.
