mATCH REPORT: rEGIONAL DERBY ENDS 1-1 | OneFootball

Valencia CF drew 1-1 away to Villarreal CF on LALIGA EA Sports Matchday 24 at the Estadio de La Cerámica. Pape Gueye's goal in the first half put Villarreal ahead, with Valencia CF levelling in the 83rd minute through Umar Sadiq to share the points.

The first chance of the match fell to Luis Rioja, off a quality ball from Pepelu, but he could not find the net. Valencia CF began to worry the opposition in the first half, and Javi Guerra would later try an effort from the edge of the area that also went off target.Valencia CF had been competitive from the opening whistle, combining solid defending with attempts at the opposition goal. Villarreal CF tried to contain the Guerra-Pepelu pairing in the centre of the midfield, and Luis Rioja was the most active man in attack.

Rioja tried to surprise the opposition and almost made it 0-1, but immediately after, it was Villarreal CF who scored. Just past the first half hour, Pape Gueye opened the scoring with practically their first chance of note: A shot from the edge of the area.

After the break, Valencia CF had a header from Hugo Duro crash against the crossbar.

In the 55th minute, coach Carlos Corberán brought on Iván Jaime and Sadiq to shake up the attack.

Villarreal CF had a second goal disallowed due to offside, then were put under pressure by Valencia CF. The efforts would be rewarded in the 83rd minute: Rafa Mir took advantage of a great ball into space to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper and when his shot was saved by goalkeeper Diego Conde, the rebound would be finished off by Sadiq with a header into the back of the net.The forward's first LALIGA EA Sports goal for the club earned a share of the points in the regional derby, as the game ended 1-1.

Next up for Valencia CF is a home game at Mestalla on February 22nd, against Atletico Madrid.

MATCH STATS

1. VILLARREAL CF: Conde, Navarro, Foyth, Costa, Cardona, Pape Gueye (Comesaña, 66’), Parejo, Yeremy Pino (Buchanan, 66’), Baena, Pépé (Barry, 75’) and Ayoze Pérez (Denis Suárez, 82’).

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, César Tárrega, C. Mosquera, Luis Rioja (Rafa Mir, 77’), Gayà, Pepelu, Diego López (Fran Pérez, 67’), André Almeida (Iván Jaime, 55’), Javi Guerra and Hugo Duro (Sadiq, 55’).