1-1: PEDROSA RESCUES A POINT AT THE DEATH

It was a cagey opening first half with neither team really creating any clear-cut chances. Sow and Saúl had attempts inside the opening 15 minutes but against a deep-lying Valencia side looking to break on the counterattack it was tough work. Isaac had the clearest chance with a curling shot that Mamardashvili acrobatically tipped away and shortly after he fired into the side netting after being played in by Sow. In the second half Rioja had a chance with a shot that was well covered by Nyland in one of the few Valencia attacks of the opening 45 minutes. On a misty evening, the game remained goalless at the break.

In the second half, García Pimienta sought to change things and changed formation with three central defenders, two wingers and Lukebakio supporting Isaac up top. Little by little, we began to dominate more of the game with a shot from Lukebakio being saved by the away goalkeeper for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Gudelj whipped in the ball and Saúl headed wide at the back post. 

And out of nothing, the away side found themselves a goal up. A long pass from Mamardashvili was flicked on by Hugo Duro for Rioja. He raced clear and with just Nyland to beat made no mistakes - their first shot on target. Nerves began to show and Pimienta brought on Vargas, who came on and had a great chance that crashed against the post. A few minutes prior, Lukebakio scored from a direct free kick from the wing, but Hernández Maeso disallowed the goal. The bench was emptied as Juanlu, Idumbo, Peque and Pedrosa all came on and it would prove decisive. With the clock deep in added time, the fullback tried his luck from distance and his shot deceived Mamardashvili for a dramatic late equaliser to ensure we would take a share of the spoils.