9th versus 10th, same points, four away from Europe, same situation, but two very different contexts: on the home side the dream of team that could complete a perfect season on their return to the elite by qualifying for the Europa League against a club shaken by dreadful decisions from the owner since the beginning of the year that is holding the team back from their initial goals and now they are facing today their last bullet to save a crooked season that could only end bad.
Granada repeated the same five-man on defense system with which the y beat Alavéson their last match, while Valencia´s coach Voro made multiple changes on his line-up regarding to their loss against Athletic de Bilbao. This way, Mangala accompanied Paulista as the central defenders, captain Parejo was the only one to stay in the midfield, and Gameiro and Manu Vallejo formed the attack, as their main forward Rodrigo Moreno will be out for the rest of the season due to an injury on his ligaments.
The match was a chess game from the beginning, with Granada slightly dominating the ball possession and looking to attack through Machís on the left side, but unable to put keeper Cillesen in trouble. On the other hand, Valencia were patiently waiting on their half to find a gap on Granada´s tight lines in order to create danger., which did not happen at al in the first half. They both studied each other and saw themselves reflected on the mirror, as their approaches were pretty similar.
Granada offered a little more and had the clearest chance through a n excellent cross by left back Carlos Neva that the other Carlos (Fernández) headed to the top left of Cillesen´s goal, but the Dutch keeper did a great save and sent the ball to the corner. 0-0 at haltime with everything to be decided on the second half.
The game followed the same script and Granada had another opportunity with a header by defender Domingos Duarte on a corner kick that hit the post. Valencia survived again, but Granada were playing considerably better and their goal did not take to much time: Carlos Fernández made an excellent pass to Carlos Neva´s run, and he passed it back to Fernández inside the box. Midfielder Coquelin knocked him down and the referee called a penalty that Fernández scored. 1-0.
The unexpected thing happened on the next play, as Valencia got the equalizer right away thanks to a great assist by Cherysev after a defensive mistake by Granada that Manu Vallejo took advantage o to score the 1-1. Football is the most unpredictable sport, and just like that Valencia came back with their second thanks to a powerful shot outside the box by Guedes. Two shots on target and two goals for Valencia turned into maximum effectiveness.
Granada kept missing opportunities mostly because of keeper Cillesen outstanding saves, and Soldado had another big one through a volley. Valencia seemed to hold the win, but Granada ended up earning the final equalizer deservedly thanks to a free kick by Fede Vico that went in due to Valencia´s poor wall, which opened up allowing the shot to break through. Granada and Valencia share points on a very attractive second half and grab an insufficient point on their goals to reach Europe.
