On the road, in a tough place to play, Valencia got their first victory of the season, defeating Sporting Gijon 0-1 with Paco Alcacer coming off the bench in the second half and finding the net a minute into stoppage time. 

Not only is this an important win for their league positioning, but it comes right before they kick off their Champions League campaign, giving them confidence before they take on Zenit on Wednesday. 

The third choice goal keeper was called into action in the fifth minute, stopping a shot from Jony, keeping the score level at zero early this evening. Ten minutes later, he was called into action again, this time stopping a shot easily from Antonio Sanabria. 

Piatti provides a spark

It took the visitors about 20 minutes to get their offense going and Argentine Pablo Piatti was the main reason why, providing his club with a couple of chances before the end of the first half. 

Valencia's first chance of the match came in the 22nd minute. Pablo Piatti was found by Sofiane Feghouli and his shot rose a bit too much as it lifted over the top of the cross bar.

With nine minutes to go in the first half, he provided perhaps the best chance to score after Feghouli again set him up for a shot that missed to the left. Off of a free kick from the left side of the box, Piatti lined the ball up and missed the frame of the goal from a very difficult angle. 

HT: Sporting Gijon 0-0 Valencia

Shortly after the restart, Valencia came away with the best opportunity to break the deadlock after Feghouli's pass set up a Dani Parejo shot that slammed off the post. Bernardo nearly scored off of a header from close ranger, but again Juame was there to deny the hosts.

Pablo Pérez had the last good chance for Sporting, five minutes after the hour mark, hitting his shot from the middle of the eighteen yard box straight into the hands of the Valencia shot stopper. 

Andre Gomes made an immediate impact coming off the bench unleashing a shot from outside the area that was pushed aside by the Sporting goal keeper, Ivan Pichu. 

Should Mat Ryan be out for a considerable amount of time, Juame Domenech will be a fine replacement, coming up with three huge saves in a row as Gijon looked to take a lead with less than 15 minutes remaining in the match. 

Valencia pressure pays off

Young Dutch sensation, Zakaria Bakkali was introduced with eight minutes remaining in the match and provided some decent chances, especially in the 88th minute, after Paco Alcacer nearly scored as his shot went soaring above the cross bar, his effort from the left side of the penalty area was blocked before it reached the goal. 

With little time remaining in the match, however, Alcacer scored the game winning goal with a close range header after young Zakari Bakkali provided the clinical cross that gave Valencia all three points for the first time this season. 

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