Yunus Musah was back in Valencia’s starting lineup for their draw at Real Sociedad, as the only American in action in Spain’s top two divisions over the weekend.
Real Sociedad 1 – 1 Valencia CF
Valencia scored a pair of goals on Sunday night, however unfortunately one being in their own goal, giving the team a useful road draw at ten-man Real Sociedad.
USMNT starter Yunus Musah began the game on the left side of head coach Gennaro Gattuso’s three-man midfield, and played 75 minutes before being subbed out in favor of Dimitri Foulquier.
During his time on the field, he had a total of 38 touches, completed 76% of his 29 passes, took one shot, won three of five duels, and drew one foul. For the visitors, Jonathan Gomez was not in uniform as he played over the weekend with Sociedad’s reserve squad
Valencia central midfielder Hugo Guillamon opened the scoring, albeit in his own net, after ten minutes when he tried to deflect a through-ball from Asier Illarramendi, but could only do enough to redirect it past the keeper to give the hosts the lead.
However, four minutes later, the visitors were given a huge chance when an initial yellow card to Artiz Elustondo was harshly changed to red following a VAR review, forcing Sociedad to battle the final 75-plus minutes with a man-disadvantage.
Valencia needed just 11 further minutes to capitalize, with a quick display of one-touch play around the outside of hosts’ area eventually leaving Samuel Dias Lino with a clear angle for a low shot to even the score.
Moments before the half-hour, the visitors suffered a minor blow, losing center back Gabriel Paulista to injury, with Cenk Özkacar taking his place in the defense.
The second half saw both teams fail to break through, with the game eventually ending as a 1-1 draw.
Valencia are in 11th place after the result, and face fourth-place Real Betis on Thursday for their final game until a New Year’s Eve visit to Villarreal.
Highlights of the game can be seen here.
Notes
Luca de la Torre is recovering form a leg injury and did not participate in Celta Vigo’s 2-1 home loss to Osasuna on Saturday.
Luca Koleosho was not in uniform Sunday evening for Espanyol for their 1-1 road draw at Atletico Madrid.
Armando Shashoua was on UD Ibiza’s bench on Sunday for their 1-1 home draw against Mirandes.
Samuel Shashoua is injured for a few more weeks and didn’t suit up for Tenerife in their 1-0 road win over Burgos on Saturday.
