Deportivo Alavés have not lost to Valencia in La Liga for several years. It came as no surprise when the Vitoria-based club ended Valencia’s ten match unbeaten run… with a home victory at the ‘Estadio de Mendizorroza’ recently. The Basque side clawed their way to victory to ease their own relegation worries and doomed Las Palmas to the drop in the process.However, it was done by beating Los Che in somewhat controversial circumstances.
With the game looking likely to be a goalless stalemate Valencia’s outbound goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili attempted to punch away a cross, only to flatten the Alavés striker in the process. The referee Gil Manzano pointed immediately to the spot amidst strong protests from the Valencia players. The obligatory VAR review took place and the video referees requested the man in the middle come and check his initial decision. When this is the case, the outcome is usually reversed. However, the Extremadura-born arbitro decided to stay with his on-field conclusion… much to the dismay of the Valencia team and management staff.
Jordan converted the penalty and then the Alavés goalkeeper and captain Antonio Sivera ensured all three points remained with the hosts, by keeping out a Sergio Canos effort as time was running out for Valencia. With Mamardashvili donning Liverpool colours next season, Los Che could be in the market for a shot-stopper and Javea-born Sivera could be a good option as a replacement.
A personal milestone in the game was achieved by José Luis Gayà who made his 375th appearance for the club, which tied the Pedreguer-born international with the record of Pep Claramunt in ninth place on the all-time appearances list. Top of the pile remains Fernando Gómez, another local-born player who amassed 553 games for Valencia between 1983 and 1998.
The loss effectively puts pay to any European football at the Mestalla next year, but a top ten finish for Carlos Corberán would be a fantastic achievement in itself.
Since the new manager arrived 18 league matches ago, the team have lost only four times (to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Alavés) and they have surged up from the bottom of the table to a top ten position.
With two matches remaining against two of the better teams in the division (Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis) it would have a positive impact for all concerned with the club going into the next campaign if points could be taken from both fixtures.
In the north-east part of the city, Levante UD remain on course for automatic promotion. Their cause was greatly helped by their 3-1 victory over the top of the table Elche at the Estadio Martínez Valero earlier this month.
The ground has hosted numerous internationals in the past, including contests for Spain against the likes of Italy and Croatia in recent years.
A brace from Roger Brugué gave the visitors a two goal cushion at the interval. Moroccan Mourad El Ghezouani halved the deficit midway through the second half. However, a third goal by Alex Fores late on in the game ensured Levante left Elche with maximum points.
With a play-off place all but guaranteed, Los Granotas will be hoping to go that one step further and secure one of the top two spots available to confirm La Liga status without an extended season after the league itself has finished.
With two of their remaining three games at the Ciutat de Valencia, they are the bookies favourites for promotion. That said, the squad can take nothing for granted in their quest to return to the top flight of Spanish football.
The Levante Women’s football team have managed to stave off relegation and will remain in Liga F next season.
The point obtained in their last game at home to Madrid CFF was enough to put them out of catching distance of the teams below. This caps off a strong second half to the season, which mirrors the performances of the Valencia men’s team.
Notable victories away at Barcelona and Athletic club bring renewed hope that they will be fighting for a European place next year once again.
Valencia women were not as fortunate and their relegation was confirmed and will play in the second tier of the women’s league in 2025/26.
However, they do have one last cameo before leaving La Liga F as their last game of the season is at home to Real Madrid. The match will take place at the Antonio Puchades stadium at noon on the 18th of May.
Finally, the sad news of the passing away of Spain’s number one football fan, ‘Manolo El Del Bombo’ very recently. Famous for his iconic drum and hitchhiking over 15,000 kilometres to watch matches in the 1982 World Cup, he was last seen at the Mestalla as recently as the UEFA Nations Cup match pitting Spain against Holland earlier this year.
Valencia gave ‘El Bombo de España’ a fitting tribute prior to the Getafe game with a minute’s silence, and he will be remembered fondly throughout Spain for promoting his countries football team around the world with a passion and zest that only true football fans would understand.
Report by John Howden
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
Valencia CF
Valencia v Athletic Club Bilbao 18 May 19.00h
Real Betis v Valencia w/end 24/25 May tbc
Levante UD
Levante UD v Albacete 16 May 20.30h
Burgos v Levante UD w/end 24/25 May tbc
Levante UD v Eibar w/end 31 may/1 June tbc
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