Valencia smiles again against Betis in a match full of emotion
Cesar Tárrega and Hugo Duro, two Valencia players who could not hold back their tears before the match in memory of Dana’s victims, pleased Valencia with a victory over Betis in a match that after fifteen minutes was already 1:1 in their own goal. The goal was scored by Duro himself, who redeemed himself with a brace, which was completed by Diego Lopez, and Cimi Avila pulled one back.
Twenty-five days after the tragedy that devastated their province, Valencia returned to Mestalla this Saturday with the memory of the cities affected by the flood. The stadium dedicated to the centenary experienced one of the most emotional anticipations: a typhus that painted all the stands with a señera and a giant banner with the motto “Amunt, Valencians” and the names of all the affected cities to which they could dedicate the victory that they had resisted since September.
In football, Valencia went home with a five-back line for the first time, with Betis replacing Giovani Lo Celso with youth player Carlos Guirao. It is unknown how the Valencia team could react to so many feelings, but the players wiped away tears and turned the pain of an entire city into intensity.
Ruben Baraja’s men fought for every move to win the ball away from Betis and the first corner saw a much-coveted commitment. After the rehearsed play was interrupted, Rioja received the ball, crossed low and amid the chaos in the penalty area, where a penalty was called for Barrenechea, Cesar Tárrega managed to score (min. 8).
The natural power plant of Aldaya, one of the cities most affected by the dana, completed its work at will and dedicated it to the entire province, raising a T-shirt to the sky with the words “tots junts eixirem” (“we will all come out together”).
But the joy of the black and white team did not last long, exactly seven minutes. Ruibal took a side-kick and Hugo Duro, trying to clear the ball, saved the ball and scored his goal (min. 15). flag with black crepe.
The blow was strong and Betis took advantage of it. The Andalusians’ best moments came after the draw, but Mosquera managed to stop the persistent Vitor Roque and parry Abde’s crosses.
The match was stopped for a few minutes due to two fans with health problems in the stands and when it resumed Valencia found their way again, but their best chance came just before the break when Diego Lopez headed in a header. in the stick after Guy’s excellent performance. Betis also tried Bartra’s header in stoppage time, which narrowly missed.
Walking through the dressing room, the locals showed some great football. With Javi Guerra at his best in a long time, Hugo Duro broke free. The striker scored two goals in three minutes and canceled out his own goal with a volley and a cross.
Just three minutes later Diego Lopez joined us and scored a superb goal. “Guajin” caught the ball in the penalty area, controlled it with his chest, and also hit it with a volley. Mestalla exploded with emotion, but Cimi Avila canceled out the penalty with a well-placed cross in the 66th minute.
Betis were up against Valencia, who had gotten worse with the changes, but the gap was insurmountable and Manuel Pellegrini’s men could not avoid defeat.