Málaga: Kameni; Rosales, Sergio Sánchez, Weligton, Boka; Camacho, Sergi Darder; Samuel (Ricardo Horta 86‘), Juanmi, Samu Castillejo (Recio 76‘); Javi Guerra (Amrabat 64‘). 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Diego Alves; Cancelo, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gayà; Javi Fuego (Lucas Orbán 81’); Rodrigo, Dani Parejo (Paco Alcácer 58‘), Enzo Pérez, Andrés Gomes (De Paul 73’); Negredo. 4-1-4-1.
Goals:
1-0. 25. Samu Castillejo. Looped header over Diego Alves from Samuel centre.
Yellow cards: Otamendi 36’, Dani Parejo 48’, Cancelo 59’, 73’, Camacho 66’, Amrabat 67’, Darder 73’, Weligton 77’, Kameni 79’, Enzo Pérez 94’ / red cards: Cancelo 73’.
Valencia end the weekend down in fifth place after they lost 1-0 at seventh placed Málaga in the Monday night game. The Ches were looking to return to the Champions League places after they were bumped out by Sevilla earlier in the weekend, but they found themselves behind midway through the first half when Samu Castillejo looped a header over Diego Alves from a Samuel García centre. Alves had to save from Javi Guerra soon afterwards and Juanmi failed to convert a couple of chances before the break, but either side of half time Dani Parejo headed a corner against the woodwork and Gayà brought a good stop out of Kameni. The visitors were left a man short when Cancelo picked up a second booking, and the Andalusians could have gone further ahead, Alves keeping out Samuel and Darder, and Amrabat firing a long shot against the upright. However Valencia almost snatched an undeserved point in the dying moments, De Paul’s shot hitting Paco Alcácer and bouncing inches past the post with the keeper beaten.