Valencia and Celta de Vigo played out a 0-0 draw at the Mestalla stadium on Saturday, in a grey match that ended with the home crowd whistling their team.
Valencia manager Corberán described his squad as incomplete following a game in which both sides struggled to convert the few chances they created. The fixture marked the start of the LaLiga season for both clubs, despite taking place on the second matchday of the Spanish top flight's calendar.
The Mestalla, Valencia's historic home ground which is beginning the countdown to its closure, hosted 43,684 spectators for the occasion. The match was preceded by a minute of silence in memory of former Valencia board member Vicente Silla Alandi and fans of the club who died during the previous season.
Experimental lineups
Corberán opted for an unconventional starting lineup for the 2026-27 campaign, fielding a five man defence that included Jesús Vázquez playing on his weaker foot at right back, Tárrega, and Pepelu deployed as a third central defender. They were joined at the back by De Haas and Gayà. In midfield, Ugrinic and Guido Rodríguez started alongside debutant Ryunosuke Sato, while Javi Guerra supported Danjuma, who featured in a surprise role as a centre forward.
Celta manager Giráldez also introduced tactical changes, starting new signings Febas and Javi Galán in midfield alongside Miguel Román and Carreira. The visitors' defence featured Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago, and Marcos Alonso ahead of goalkeeper Radu. The attack was spearheaded by El-Abdellaoui, Hugo Álvarez, and Jutglà.
Valencia attempted to dictate the play early on, focusing their attacks down the right flank through Sato, who was the most heavily involved forward in the opening stages. Pepelu looked to supply the attack with long passes from the back.
The home side's first major opportunity arrived from one of Pepelu's long balls. Sato controlled the pass and set up Danjuma, who missed a clear chance while completely unmarked, though the play was subsequently ruled out for offside.
Celta apply pressure
Celta responded from a set piece when Román delivered a free kick that Alonso headed wide. As the first half progressed, the team from Vigo began to control the game.
Febas tested Valencia goalkeeper Dimitrievski with a long range shot, which he managed to hold. El-Abdellaoui then came close to opening the scoring after beating the advancing Dimitrievski, but Tárrega cleared the ball with the net empty.
Substitutions and whistles
The final minutes of the first half saw Celta lay siege to the Valencia goal. Dimitrievski produced a superb one handed save to deny Javi Rodríguez. Valencia attempted to respond on the counter attack, but Ugrinic's effort was saved by Radu.
Valencia made a change at half time, bringing on Diakhaby for De Haas. The debutant had struggled defensively and left the pitch limping with a badly swollen right ankle.
In the 59th minute, Corberán replaced Sato with Sadiq, a substitution that was met with disapproval from the Mestalla crowd. Later in the half, Maffeo made his debut by replacing Gayà in the 69th minute, and Hugo Duro came on for Danjuma in the 82nd.
With the match reaching a stalemate, Giráldez overhauled his side. He introduced Williot for Álvarez in the 57th minute, followed by a triple substitution in the 64th that saw Iago Aspas, Javi Rueda, and Durán replace Galán, El-Abdellaoui, and Jutglà. Ilaix Moriba later replaced Febas in the 77th minute.
Durán quickly tested Dimitrievski with a central strike in the 66th minute, which the goalkeeper gathered. Valencia's late attacking efforts were limited to counter attacks. Danjuma fired over the crossbar while under pressure from Alonso, who himself came within centimetres of scoring for Celta in the closing stages.
The match concluded with a shot from Guido Rodríguez that Radu saved at the second attempt. Frustrated by the lack of attacking threat, the home supporters chanted demanding a shot on target before whistling the team off the pitch.
Referee Jesús Gil booked Valencia's De Haas and Dimitrievski, as well as Celta's Carreira, Rueda, and Radu.
