Javi Gracia used tactical resources against Cartagena because of what little he had at his disposal and perhaps also because of what is coming. Peter Lim has not yet given him a gift in the form of reinforcement and the Navarrese has to make do (for now) with what he has. So Gracia, with all his sides absent, the starters and also the substitutes, took advantage of the friendly against Cartagena to change drawing and check how Gabriel, Mangala and Diakhaby develop in a three-back system. The afternoon also served to Kang-in is disappointed with two goals. The Korean is facing his confirmation year and Gracia is giving him freedom of movement, whatever system he plays. The playmaker in his place and there he gets his best version.
At the collective level, the system was the most striking; at the individual level, a proper name beyond the scorer and the result: Geoffrey Kondogbia. Not because of his performance, simply because of his presence. In an orphan team of Parejo and Coquelin, the performance of the Central African, along with other players with a Champions League poster that still remain at Mestalla, it will determine to a large extent what place Valencia occupies in the course that begins. Kondogbia, like Diakhaby and Cheryshev, two others who had not yet debuted with Gracia, picked up pace and that was the most relevant part of the duel against Cartagena, a team aware of its inferiority but that bit for every ball.
All goals after the break
The intensity served Borja Jiménez's men to keep the ché away from Marc Martínez until the break. Even so Vallejo messed up a heads up and Maxi Gomez, a penalty. The Murcians went ahead after a center by Nacho Gil who finished off Jaume's door inadvertently Gabriel Paulista. There Valencia took off bullfighting shame. Nephew warned with a shot to the post and then Esteve got so messed up that he gave away the tie to Kang-in. Finally, the win tied him short Jason, who is taking advantage of the situation to make a place for himself, and Kang-in finished it off with a goal after a remarkable personal action by Alex Blanco, another one of the lads who are crying out for an opportunity in the elite.
Valencia: Jaume; Gabriel Paulista, Mangala, Diakhaby (Molina, 61 '); Jason (Yunus, 80 '), Kondogbia (Racic, 61'), Esquerdo (Fran Pérez, 85 '), Cheryshev (Centelles, 46'); Kang-in (Hugo González, 85 '); Manu Vallejo (Blanco, 78 ') and Maxi (Nephew, 46')
Cartagena: Marc (Esteve, 46 '); Uri (Delmán, 46 '), Carlos David (Fornies, 46'), Martín (Carrasquilla, 46 '), Markel (Lozano, 46'); Cordero (Claveria, 46 '), Kleando (Cayarga, 46'), Verza, Jose Ángel; Gil (William, 71 ') and Vinicius (Simón, 46').
Goals. 0-1 (64 '): Paulista, p.p .; 1-1 69 '): Kang-in; 2-1 (73 '): Jason; 3-1 (80 '): Kang-in
Referee. Alberto Carbonell, Valencian Committee. He admonished Gabriel Paulista (64 ') and Sobrino (74')
Stadium. Antonio Puchades. No audience.