Valencia takes Betis out of the 'Champions zone' and Rayo cannot with Celta

MADRID, 10 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Valencia returned to the path of victory this Thursday after taking revenge for the Copa del Rey final against Betis, whom they defeated 2-0 at Mestalla to prevent them from being in the Champions League position before the break, while Rayo Vallecano could not show its strength in Vallecas and drew goalless against Celta, in matches corresponding to the fourteenth day of LaLiga Santander 2022-2023.

In Mestalla, and under a downpour, Valencia broke its losing streak of five games without winning and did so with a great victory against Betis by 2-0, which leaves it close to the European positions and allows Real Sociedad and Athletic Club are the ones in the 'Champions zone' until after the World Cup in Qatar.

Gennaro Gattuso's team surpassed Manuel Pellegrini's in intensity, who was unable to impose his style and was almost always at the mercy of his rival, although he was penalized when he fell short of ten in the second half.

Until then, Valencia won the duel on points, especially for their performance in the first half where the ball was almost always theirs. Musah crashed a ball into the post and Rui Silva got in the way of Samu Castillejo in what were the best local options, while Betis enjoyed a very good one on a counterattack, but Mamardashvili put a good hand on the young Juan Cruz.

After the break, in addition to the barrage of rain, came black and white goals, curiously when their rival had managed to balance the clash and play more of what interested them, taking advantage of a certain drop in intensity by the Valencian team.

Then, Edgar González cut two transitions at fault, resulting in two yellow cards and the consequent expulsion. The second, moreover, involved a free kick executed to perfection by André Almeida to make it 1-0 and pave the way for a victory, sentenced in the final minutes by means of Hugo Guillamón, from a penalty, and Justin Kluivert.

On the other hand, the Vallecas Stadium could not prolong its euphoria after last Monday's brilliant victory against Real Madrid and could not add another victory at home after a goalless draw against a Celta team that continues without improving despite the arrival of Carlos Carvalhal.

The red-and-red team wanted to repeat their intensity to disarm a rival who surprised with the substitution of Iago Aspas and who, although he was almost always dominated, had the first big chance through Carlos Pérez, with a good response from Dimitrievski. Radamel Falcao, starter, had the clearest for Andoni Iraola's men.

After passing through the changing rooms, the team from Vigo improved their performance and that was when Moaña's team entered, although it barely had an impact in a match whose final stretch was Rayo and with prominence for Marchesín, who crossed paths in two good shots by Camello. The Vallecano team is eighth with 22 points and Celta flirting with relegation.