Real Sociedad digested the casualties with which it reached Mestalla better than its two-goal advantage with which it reached the break. The donostiarras are at the mercy of what Betis does against Atlético de Madrid to stay in fifth place, the only one that today gives access to the Europa League. Guevara and Isak, after Carlos Soler missed a penalty, put a Real who had ten casualties ahead, which one more starter. But, after passing through the changing rooms, Gabriel Paulista became the protagonist, first forcing a penalty that Wass transformed and scoring a final 2-2 shot, a draw that endangered Valencia in the final stretch for a irresponsible expulsion of Maxi Gómez.
The afternoon started with hall to champion, a warning for Valencia who was visiting him. La Real also arrived to defend their fifth place in the league, although many of those who made them touch the sky in Seville stayed in San Sebastián. Bailiff had almost an eleven at home and young De Zárate took advantage of it. At the age of 20, he made his debut as a starter at Mestalla, but not in Primera, because his debut was in September against Real Madrid even if he only played one minute. From Zárate he closed the line of five for which Alguacil chose, with Guevara, his only available pivot, carrying the weight of his center and beyond.
Gracia, on the other hand, put her eleven more similar to that of gala. Among them Diakhaby, who was returning after what happened in Cádiz to the grass, from where no one should have to leave because of his race. Thus, the main novelty of Valencia was the return to the ownership of Cheryshev. Guedes has made his own the position of second striker that he demanded so much and Maxi Gómez another afternoon with the mission of breaking a drought face to door that has lasted since January 4 and that due to his absurd expulsion he will do so for at least 15 more days.
Football consists of taking advantage of the opponent's mistakes and that the Real did perfectly. The first part was an anodyne rhythm, in which the Donostiarras were imposed by punch and credibility in their aspirations. Valencia neither put in intensity with which to punish Real, who had just played a final and another derby during the week, nor did they take advantage of the opportunity they had in the form of a penalty. Carlos Soler sent the ball into the stands from 11 meters, thus missing his second penalty of eight that he has taken this season. The penalty came from those hands that are whistled today, although not even Gorosabel, the offender, protested it on this occasion.
La Real had possession, although they lacked depth. But only four minutes after Carlos Soler's ruling, he found her on a long ball that was looking for Isak and, after Oyarzabal dodged three defenders, Guevera sent him to the back of the net from the front with more precision than power. Valencia claimed positional offside, although from the VAR they said to get out of the center.
That goal perhaps did not do justice to the merits of Real, although it did punish the demerits of Valencia. Neither Gayà nor Thierry found spaces to deepen and Guedes and Maxi Gómez were the face of impotence, a want and I cannot. And when the game was heading to rest, an error by Gabriel Paulista and a bad collation from Jaume led Isak to stand in the area and his subsequent bitten shot ended at 0-2. Thirteenth goal by the Swede, who is on the way to surpassing the 16 he made last year between the League and the Cup.
Sheriff left De Zárate out after passing through the changing rooms. The kid dragged a card and the game was not for the Real as to complicate it by an expulsion. The outlook on the lawn changed little from the start. La Real continued to do their thing, with two goals ahead, and Valencia still did not put one more speed to their pressure and insistence. However, the Che got into the game with a scarf penalty. Very clear in Valencia, non-existent in San Sebastián. Carlos Fernández stepped on Gabriel Paulista after clearing the ball and the VAR respected Pizarro Gómez's decision. Carlos Soler stepped aside and it was Wass who transformed him.
Valencia had half an hour to maintain their streak at Mestalla and the entry of Yunus and Gameiro by Cheryshev and Racic was a declaration of intent from Gracia. Guedes fell on the left wing and from there he had the prominence that he had not had as a hitch. Valencia began to assert its physical freshness and the draw came, precisely, from a Portuguese center that Gabriel Paulista finished off perfectly. The Spanish-Brazilian thus became the protagonist of the comeback and made up for the mistake he made at 0-2. He was even the actor of another decision protested by the Real, an action in which he could be expelled.
Valencia had the game where he had not even imagined at rest and yet Maxi Gómez insisted on making it even more complicated. The Uruguayan was carried away by his character in his protest to Pizarro Gómez and in 30 seconds he saw yellow for a foul and another for his complaint. The red of the irresponsible. With one less, Valencia already considered the draw for good and until the end the dominance was once again by Real, who with more will than legs, launched for the third goal, to which they purred Januzaj, although without finding a goal, his shot, and Baptist, who on the way back in the area ran into Jaume.
Valencia
Valencia
Valencia
Valencia