From: Valencia CF
March, 01 2015 - Piatti brace beats defensive Real Sociedad
Valencia CF continued their imperious form at Mestalla with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad, thanks to a Pablo Piatti brace in the second half. The result was the team's first victory against the Basque side at home since 2011 and a further boost to their hopes of playing Champions League football next season.
The early kickoff at Mestalla began with an early chance for José Gayà, who took the ball on his less-favoured right foot and sent his shot wide. It was a sign of things to come in the first half, in which Valencia CF pushed and upped the intensity with every passing minute. Sofiane Feghouli had a good opportunity of his own for VCF, but was also off target -having not seen teammate Álvaro Negredo unmarked at the back post.
Whilst Valencia CF played an expansive, attacking game, Real Sociedad limited their strategy to defending and slowing down the pace. VCF were happy to press up on their opponents and look for the counter attack.
On 26 minutes Shkodran Mustafi headed towards goal on a move resulting from a corner, but he was denied by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Rulli's agile stop. Moments before, VCF had an appeal for a penalty waved away when Canales had appeared to stop Gayà's shot with his arm.
Mustafi would later block Xabi Prieto's powerful shot -a rare Real Sociedad chance- before the game went into the halftime break with the score at 0-0. Valencia CF had dominated play, but had received no reward for their efforts.
Manager Nuno Espírito Santo took off Nicolás Otamendi upon the start of the second half, due to an ankle issue for the Argentine, replacing him with fellow countryman Lucas Orban in the defence. Further up the pitch the side remained unchanged, and on 47 minutes they had their first shot of the half: Feghouli's hit made contact with the back of Real Sociedad's Ansotegi when it looked to be on its way in.
The deadlock was finally broken 52 minutes in, courtesy of Pablo Piatti. Dani Parejo made a majestic turn on Rubén Pardo, crossed into the box and found Piatti waiting to shoot. The Argentine's effort hit Ansotegi -only this time the ball went into the net. 1-0 to Valencia CF, and it was no less than they deserved.
However, the best was yet to come, and Piatti would get his second of the afternoon shortly after; Feghouli put the ball inside to him and he beat Rulli with a cool finish. It was Piatti's seventh goal in La Liga this season.
Älvaro Negredo came close to making it 3-0 with a shot into the side netting, followed by Rodrigo sending a terrific chance wide on 76 minutes. Real Sociedad had become even more vulnerable as they advanced their lines in search of goals, but VCF were not able to take full advantage.
Nevertheless, another victory in front of the home fans at Mestalla and an impressive performance keep Nuno's side in a strong position in La Liga -and serves as perfect preparation for the game at the Vicente Calderón against Atletico Madrid next weekend.
Spanish Primera División
Mestalla, Valencia
Valencia CF 2 vs. 0 Real Sociedad
Valencia CF: Diego Alves; Antonio Barragán, Shkodran Mustafi, Nicolás Otamendi (Lucas Orban, m. 46), José Gayà; Dani Parejo, Enzo Pérez, Javi Fuego,Pablo Piatti (Rodrigo de Paul, m. 80), Sofiane Feghouli (Rodrigo, m. 67) andÁlvaro Negredo.
Real Sociedad: Rulli, Aritz, Ansotegi, Iñigo, Yuri (Finnbogason, m. 69), Elustondo (De la Bella, m. 65), R. Pardo, Granero, X. Prieto, Canales (Hervías, m. 46) and Agirretxe.
Goals: 1-0. M. 52: Piatti. 2-0. M. 55: Piatti.
Referee: Estrada Fernández. Yellow cards for Enzo Pérez and Rodrigo de Paul(Valencia CF), Elustondo, Rubén Pardo and Yuri (Real Sociedad).
