MX23RW : Thursday, November 28 11:08:32| >> :120:10115:10115:
[monks data]
Celtic logo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 14, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Valencia logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Cheryshev (42'), Sobrino (49')

Ruben Sobrino and Denis Cheryshev help Valencia pick off Celtic

The Hoops have it all to do in Spain.

Celtic will need to produce some magic in the Mestalla Stadium next week following their 2-0 Europa League defeat by Valencia at Parkhead.

Russia international Denis Cheryshev scored for the well-drilled visitors three minutes before the interval in the first leg of the last-32 encounter.

It was the first goal the Scottish champions had conceded at home since the 2-1 win over Salzburg two months ago and the second came in the 49th minute when debutant striker Ruben Sobrino knocked in a cross from Cheryshev.

The Spanish side controlled most of the match after that to hand Brendan Rodgers' side their first defeat of 2019, ending a run of seven straight wins, and leave the Scottish champions all to do and more in Spain next Thursday.

The night began with a minute's silence in tribute to Emiliano Sala, the 28-year-old striker who recently died in a plane crash when he was flying to join his new side Cardiff.

Celtic, who had fit-again left-back Emilio Izaguirre back in the side, started with purpose.

Attacker Ryan Christie's early drive from just outside the box failed to really test Neto but moments later Valencia's Brazilian goalkeeper did well to parry a more powerful drive from Callum McGregor with defender Lato completing the clearance.

Ruben Sobrino netted Valencia's second goal
Ruben Sobrino netted Valencia's second goal (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Lato had earlier elicited penalty claims from Celtic after tangling with winger James Forrest inside the box but Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan was unimpressed.

Sobrino, the January signing from Alaves, partnered Cheryshev in a 4-4-2 formation and the duo watched the Valencia defence repel a stream of attacks before later really making their mark.

However, in the 18th minute, following a cross from the right from midfielder Carlos Soler, Sobrino flicked on and Daniel Wass' header had goalkeeper Scott Bain stretching to claw the ball past the post, with the home side defending consecutive corners.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (right) greeted Valencia boss Marcelino ahead of kick-off
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (right) greeted Valencia boss Marcelino ahead of kick-off (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Skipper Scott Brown's short pass back to Bain seconds later almost had his side in trouble again and the Spaniards grew further in confidence as the first half unfolded.

Nonetheless, Parkhead was stunned in the 42nd minute when Valencia scored on the counter-attack.

When McGregor lost possession in the middle of the park, skipper Daniel Parejo sent Sobrino racing clear and he simply laid it off to Cheryshev to tap into an empty net from close range.

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin replaced Parejo for the second half and four minutes later the Hoops were two behind.

Cheryshev raced down the left and crossed for Sobrino to volley past Bain from six yards, adding to the despair of the home fans who had claimed the Russian was offside.

Just before the hour mark Rodgers went for broke, bringing on strikers Timothy Weah and Odsonne Edouard for Scott Sinclair and Christie respectively.

The Hoops fans tried to drive their team on but Valencia held firm under occasional periods of pressure and their hard work and organisation allowed the match to fizzle out, with Celtic requiring quite a turnaround in the return match if they are to reach the last-16 this season.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ronnie Esplin, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'f42456b0-bd6b-4cf1-93a7-6af3ed31b775');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Ruben Sobrino and Denis Cheryshev help Valencia pick off Celtic'});

ID:350383: cacheID:350383:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9956:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Oliver Burke in training for Celtic on February 13, 2019
Read Next:
Oliver Burke 'excited' ahead of European debut
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!