Valencia does not find light in the thickness that Sevilla proposes

The Valencia vs. Sevilla match was a grueling and intense duel that seemed like it could go on for hours. Both teams struggled to break through the opposing defense and create scoring opportunities. Valencia showed signs of vulnerability in their attack, with players who were eager but lacked balance against a rival team that focused on obstructing their progress. This strategy was successful for both Rafa Benítez’s Celta and Quique Sánchez Flores’ Sevilla, as they were able to stifle Valencia’s game plan. While the draw was not enough for the home team, it was a valuable point for Sevilla, who moved further away from the relegation zone, albeit with their first shot on goal in added time. [Narrative and statistics]

Valencia relied on their audacity and the passion of Mestalla Stadium, using it as an additional weapon in their arsenal. This stadium has become a symbol of resistance against an owner who has been causing turmoil within the club, while the young team shows resilience despite their limitations. Valencia made a strong start, with unexpected moves like Fran Pérez’s early attempt at goal that left Baraja frustrated for being left alone up front without troubling Nyland. These moments demonstrate the contrasting aspects of Valencia’s performance. They were capable of overpowering Sevilla in the opening minutes without being able to convert their dominance into goals. Pepelu and Guillamón made their presence felt against Soumaré and Óliver, while Canós tried to find a way to unsettle an increasingly disciplined Sevilla defense.

This disciplined approach is the hallmark of Quique’s Sevilla team, which confidently played with three centre-backs. However, in Mestalla, they struggled to maintain their usual rhythm and were unable to create scoring opportunities for En-Nesyri and Isaac Romero. Their desperation and lackluster performance meant they couldn’t capitalize on Valencia’s mistakes, even though there were chances to do so. With limited possession, they failed to register a shot on goal, as Navas and Kike Salas failed to make an impact in their attacking races, and Sow and Acuña focused more on ball-watching than on fighting for possession.

Sevilla found themselves increasingly confined to their own half, while Valencia showcased their two key weapons to disrupt Sevilla’s defensive order. One of these weapons is Gayà, who showcased his ability to maraud down the wing and deliver a cross that Yaremchuk failed to convert past Nyland. The other weapon was Foulquier, who surprised Sevilla with unexpected bursts of pace and fueled Fran Pérez’s energetic play. This led to moments of chaos in Mestalla, including a penalty appeal for a push on Fran Pérez by Isaac, which was not given by the referee, Soto Grado.

The second half followed a similar script, with Sevilla content to defend and avoid making mistakes, knowing that a draw would be a satisfactory result. This cautious approach was a consequence of living on the edge and trying to avoid defeat. Despite making substitutions like Pedrosa and Suso to gain control, Sevilla struggled to break free from Valencia’s pressure. On the other hand, Valencia repeatedly fell into Sevilla’s defensive trap, as dominant as they were ineffective in their attacking efforts. The only successful attempt from Yaremchuk against Sergio Ramos was ruled offside, while Javi Guerra and Peter Federico failed to make a significant impact. Valencia began to realize that holding onto their hard-earned point was better than risking a loss, especially when Ramos had a header that missed the target and Veliz’s shot was the only one that troubled Sevillismo throughout the match.