A derby defeat to Valencian rivals Villarreal resulted in a mid-table start to the new year for the hosts, and it wasn’t going to get better anytime soon, as Cádiz zoomed to take the lead in under 10 minutes. An excellent solo dribble on the right wing saw former Valencia forward Rubén Sobrino tee up Rubén Alcaraz at the edge of the box, enabling him to take a first-time shot that lodged perfectly in the left corner. As well as giving his side a priceless lead, his strike ensured that there would not be a third straight goalless H2H.
Despite picking themselves up from an early slumber, Gennaro Gattuso’s men struggled to pierce a stubborn Piratas outfit, who were clearly eager to avoid more relegation drama going into the second half of the season. And the only way the visitors could deal with Valencia’s domination was to hit back on the counter – which they did, coming close via Choco Lozano’s individual effort that Giorgi Mamardashvili saved comfortably.
With Valencia being winless in the previous 12 home league games to see them concede first, all signs were against the Bats for a second-half comeback. Eager to overturn that disturbing trend, the hosts charged at Sergio Soriano’s troops with all their might, as Cádiz faced a barrage of attacks during the final half-hour. Following a corner delivery, one-club man José Luis Gayà thought he had leveled proceedings with an outrageous volley in the 69th minute, only to see keeper Jeremias Ledesma pull off an equally brilliant Hollywood-style save to keep his side in the driving seat.
Having played a game more than their bottom-half counterparts, Valencia risk falling below 10th place going into the next round of matches, as Gattuso adds to his list of defeats at Mestalla. While the loss is their first in 16 home games at the start of a calendar year since going down to Tenerife in 1998, Cádiz will bask in a truly defiant performance, and a result that provisionally lifts them two points clear of danger.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Rubén Alcaraz (Cádiz CF)
