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Valencia extend winless run to four games with goalless draw against impressive Alaves

Valencia CF's Luis Rioja (R) in action against Deportivo Alaves' Youssef Enriquez
Valencia CF's Luis Rioja (R) in action against Deportivo Alaves' Youssef EnriquezADRIAN RUIZ HIERRO / EPA / Profimedia

Alaves missed the chance to win back-to-back home LaLiga matches for the first time in over a year as they were held to a goalless draw by Valencia, who saw their winless run extend to four matches.

A 3-1 win in their previous outing marked the first time since the opening day that Alaves had scored more than once in the league this season, but tonight they showed no early sign of that free-scoring style continuing, as an Arnaut Danjuma strike for the visitors kept out by Antonio Sivera was the only shot on target for either side in the opening 30 minutes.

Lucas Boye had the home side’s best chance in that time, turning well inside the area but sending his effort fizzing over the bar.

Eduardo Coudet’s men grew in confidence as the half wore on – Boye found space and powered a strike straight at Julen Agirrezabala before sending the rebound into the side netting.

Then, Pablo Ibanez took aim from just outside the area, but the visiting goalkeeper got down well to deal with the curling effort.

Five minutes before the break, the industrious Boye weaved his way into the box and flashed a shot wide, as Alaves failed to turn their pressure into goals and the sides went into half-time level.

Match stats
Match statsOpta by StatsPerform

The break did nothing to curtail Los Albiazules’ dominance, as within eight minutes of the restart Toni Martinez had a shot which went just wide of the near post and met a free-kick with his head, which Agirrezabala managed to tip over the bar.

A brief spell when Los Ches were on top produced little more than a Danjuma strike flying over the top, before Boye did the same with a header from a corner with 15 minutes to play.

In the final four minutes, a free-kick swung in from the left by Denis Suarez evaded everyone in the area and struck the post, before Boye blazed the rebound over.

Not finding the breakthrough will be disappointing for Alaves, but moving back into the top half of the table is a reminder of how well they have begun the season.

It’s now seven visits to the Mendizorrotza without a win for Valencia, who have failed to score on their last five trips to the Basque Country – though this was the first not to end in defeat.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Boye (Alaves)

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