UD Las Palmas' line up threw up few surprises. Chichizola played in goal, David Simón on the right hand side, Lemos as centre back, while Halilovic was chosen ahead of Fabio, who was ruled out with a stomach bug. The rest of the team was as expected.
Las Palmas came into the new season not having lost a single pre-season game. Against them was a Valencia team with renewed ambition and led by trainer Marcelino. The first few minutes belonged to the yellows. They were controlling possession with one touch football, somewhat slow, which unsettled Valencia.
In a few attacking moves, the away team's over passing meant Valencia were able to break quickly, a team playing in a very ordered fashion, with Parejo as the main troubleshooter to upset the away team. Lemos and Jonathan Viera were involved in most of their team's moves. Vitolo, Tana and Calleri were always waiting to get on the end of them.
Valencia began to grow in confidence and got their just reward when a left foot shot by Zaza was placed neatly past Chichizola (min. 21). The night had started badly and a comeback was needed. Just one minute later Halilovic nearly brought his team level but his effort lacked power.
Matters became worse for Las Palmas with the sending off of Halilovic (min. 32), for putting his foot into Gayá in a late challenge. Las Palmas were unable to think clearly now they were a player down. They began to play with a touch of desperation, while Valencia, without actually doing too much, played out every move to conserve their 1-0 lead, until the half time whistle.
In the second half, Valencia began to take control of the game by just upping their intensity on the pitch. Las Palmas, with a player down, were unable to react, and their flowing and penetrative football did not appear. Chichizola (min. 57) blocked a certain second home goal with his outstretched leg. Las Palmas were leaving gaps at the back every time they tried to break forward. With one less player on the pitch it was a risk they had to take.
The game seemed to go on forever for Las Palmas, as they were unable to cross the half way line with any conviction. Márquez made a double change: Araujo and Javi Castellano replacing Tana and Lemos. It was a solution that didn't have enough time to take effect. Valencia only needed to play the game out to pick up their first three points of the season. Las Palmas carried on where they left off last season, with a defeat.
