El VAR indulta a Mamardashvili

The game was having a sleepy effect until Mamardashvili, Valencia’s Georgian goalkeeper, made a blunder like those that fill the news when trying to clear. The ball went from the front, yes, but towards Borja Mayoral. The first impression is that the ball hit the Getafe footballer, who immediately picked up the rebound and scored an empty goal. This was also understood by the referee, who conceded the goal. However, the television images made it clear that the ball had fallen into the hands of Borja Mayoral by avoiding receiving a ball to the face. VAR through, the referee rectified and was right to annul the goal.

It was a night of reunions. Bordalás returning to the Coliseum, Quique Flores facing Valencia…. The sentimentality lasted as long as it took for the ball to roll, as a header from Cuenca in minute 1 reminded us that they were there to play from the beginning. The thing was serious. Within five minutes, six fouls had already been made. The ball was more time stopped than in play.

Valencia was diminished by casualties, six. With Gayá and Lato injured, it had to be Jesús Vázquez, the reserve team’s left back, who played as a starter. Like a shark that smells blood, Getafe wanted to tickle the youth squad by attacking from his side, but what was his surprise when he found that the kid turned out to be more solid than cement.

The domain was blue and so were the approaches to goal. Sandro tried it (8′) from outside the area, Maksimovic (14′) from the edge of the box and Únal was about to achieve his goal (43′) when he finished off Sandro’s center with a heel that Mamardashvili took over the line.

The most eye-catching thing about Valencia was Bryan Gil’s snails, and the best chance for Bordalás’ team was a shot at Cuenca’s own goal when trying to clear a cross from Bryan Gil. It was the only thing that worried Soria in the first part.

A solitary run by Foulquier to the baseline announced that Valencia had new intentions in the second half. However, the excitement never came. Arreones but no chances. Until that minute action happened. That goal annulled by the VAR. Getafe would have the opportunity to make up for it with a clear chance from Óscar Rodríguez (83′), but his shot went high.