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| Borja Mayoral of Getafe CF celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Getafe CF and Valencia CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on February 20, 2023 in Getafe, Spain. |
New coach, same disappointing result for Valencia.
In the debut of coach Ruben Baraja, struggling Valencia have lost at Getafe 1-0 on Monday for their fifth straight loss in Spain’s La Liga, and sixth in a row in all competitions.
Striker Borja Mayoral scored his first goal since January in the 82nd minute to end Getafe’s seven-match winless streak in all competitions and move the team out of the relegation zone, albeit only on goal difference.
The result dropped Valencia to second last, two points from safety, and is expected to add fuel to the protests from fans against Singaporean owner Peter Lim.
Captain Gabriel Paulista went to talk to the Valencia supporters at Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium in Madrid after the match where some fans held “Lim Go Home” signs.
“They have to stick with us until the end,” Gabriel Paulista said.
“We will keep fighting until the last minute. It’s complicated to be in this situation, but we can’t be afraid of what can happen. We have to keep trying to win matches.”
Valencia have only one league win in their last 14 games in a poor run that started under coach Gennaro Gattuso. He was replaced by Baraja, who previously coached in the second division.
“We paid for not capitalising on our chances,” Baraja said.
“They scored off a set piece and it cost us three points that were very important. But I’ll stay with the positive, which was the effort and the attitude of our players. We know it’s not going to be easy, but we will keep competing.”
Valencia next host third-placed Real Sociedad and then visit league leaders Barcelona, while Getafe are at ninth-placed Villarreal in the next round.
