REPORT: Derby County 1-2 Valencia

Derby County continued their pre-season preparations with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Valencia at St George’s Park on Tuesday.

Owen Eames was on target late on for the Rams, but it proved to be a consolation in a 2-1 defeat to the La Liga side, who struck twice through Arnaut Danjuma in the first 15 minutes of the second-half.

Head Coach John Eustace gave a start to new signing Filip Bilbija, who completed 45 minutes in his first outing in black and white.

Derby’s World Cup stars also returned to action, with Sweden shot-stopper Jacob Widell Zetterström featuring in the opening 45 minutes, while Norwegian defender Sondre Langås was introduced for the final half an hour.

It was a competitive fixture from the off, with Derby enjoying plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges. Max Johnston came closest to breaking the deadlock with a sixth-minute shot that was palmed to safety following a mazy run down the right flank.

Zetterström was called into action midway through the half, blocking with his legs, while Craig Forsyth was denied at the other end as the opening 45 minutes ended goalless.

Eustace brought on Vickers at the break and he made a string of saves as Valencia grew into the game after introducing a strong contingent of their own.

Left-winger Danjuma converted twice, the second time following in after a fine stop from Vickers, before the Rams made wholesale changes on the hour.

The addition of fresh legs gave Eustace’s men renewed impetus and they remained well in the game until the final stages.

Eames – one of the Rams’ most lively threats - got himself onto the scoresheet in the penultimate minute, his deflected shot looping over the Valencia ‘keeper to reduce the arrears.

Dajuane Brown came close to a last-gasp leveller but the 20-year-old dragged his shot inches wide of the far post from the edge of the box.

Team

Derby County: Zetterström (Vickers 46’) Johnston (Nyambe 61’), Sanderson (Langås 61’), Clarke (Canoville 61’), Forsyth, (T Gill 61’), Travis (C) (Thompson 61’), Fraulo (Goudmijn 61’), Ward, (Brown 61’), Bilbija (Eames 46’), Clark (Allen 61’), Morris (Salvesen 61’).