Sporting de Gijon 1 - 2 Valencia: New Valencia boss Cesare Prandelli off to a winning start

Posted Monday, October 17, 2016 by PA

Cesare Prandelli made a winning start to life as Valencia coach as they leapfrogged opponents Sporting Gijon and climbed out of LaLiga's bottom three with a 2-1 win at El Molinon.

Mario Suarez's second and third goals for Los Che proved decisive as the former Italy coach enjoyed a positive beginning to his time in Spain.

Carlos Castro's header cancelled out Suarez's first goal but he rifled in a close-range second with 25 minutes to go. Valencia defended fairly desperately at times but managed to hold on for three valuable points. For Sporting, it was a fifth consecutive LaLiga defeat.

There is no doubt Prandelli has plenty of talent on his hands at Valencia, who sacked coach Pako Ayestaran after a dreadful start to the season, and that was underlined with a quality goal in the seventh minute.

Brazilian forward Rodrigo squared the ball from the right and Dani Parejo's clever dummy created the space for fellow midfielder Suarez to sweep a low shot past Sporting goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar.

The hosts lacked the skill of their opponents but had plenty of heart and drew level with five minutes of the half remaining. Isma Lopez arrowed in a dangerous cross from the left and Castro got ahead of Aderlan Santos to nod home bravely.

But Suarez put the visitors back in front as Parejo's floated free-kick was nodded down by Sporting midfielder Sergio Alvarez inadvertently into the path of the former Atletico Madrid and Watford man, who controlled before firing high into the roof of Cuellar's net.

Rodrigo could have added a third in the 74th minute but fired high and wide after a clever ball over the top of the Sporting defence from Parejo appeared to have set him free.

Sporting applied the pressure in the last 15 minutes, with Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves pushing over a Fernando Amorebieta header and defender Ezequiel Garay had to make a vital last-ditch challenge as the hosts appeared set to finish off an intricate move.