Valencia: Diego Alves; Bruno, Rami, Dealbert,
Mathieu (Jordi Alba 53'); Mehmet Topal, Banega; Feghouli (Paco Alcácer
70'), Dani Parejo (Jonas 64'), Pablo Hernández; Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Real: Claudio Bravo; Estrada, Demidov, Mikel
González, Cadamuro; Elustondo, Aranburu (Mariga 79'); Xabi Prieto,
Zurutuza, Griezmann (Carlos Martínez 92'); Agirretxe (Carlos Vela 68').
4-2-3-1.
Goals: 0-1. 55. Griezmann. Lobbed Alves at second attempt after Rami blocked first shot.
Yellow cards: Jordi Alba 54'.
Valencia surprisingly lost 0-1 to Real Sociedad in the last match on Saturday, although the gap they have over fourth placed Levante means they are still sure of staying in third place. With midweek cup matches and a long season ahead of them, Emery decided to rest some of his key players. Aduríz got a rare start up front in place of the suspended Soldado, and he went close a couple of times early on. Pablo Hernández tested Bravo with a long shot, and Aduríz headed against the bar from a corner as the locals dominated the first half. Ten minutes after the restart though Griezmann picked up a loose ball outside of the area, and although Rami blocked the young French forward's first shot, he controlled the rebound and lobbed a shot over Diego Alves for what was to prove the only goal of the match. Emery brought on some of his big guns, but Real held on for a win which takes some of the pressure off coach Montanier, heavily criticised after the midweek cup defeat at Mallorca.