Watford 1 : 0 Deportivo de La Coruña

Watford were back in action, and for the first time this pre-season they played at Vicarage Road.

Their Galician opponents Deportivo de La Coruña, are based in north-western Spain and finished in the bottom half of La Liga 2 last season.

New Hornets boss Paulo Pezzolano replaced Tom Cleverley after his side lost form, and achieved one win in the Englishman’s final nine games. Pezzolano received a standing ovation from the Hornets supporters who will hope this campaign starts better than the last one ended.

Watford have faced lower division sides in their pre-season run.

Borehamwood were brushed aside 0-2, League One outfit AFC Wimbledon managed a 1-1 draw sharing the Football Manager Cup, and a sold out Leyton Orient away end allowed more minutes in the tank, but both sides scored one apiece.

For the Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruñahad recorded two pre-season matches and two clean sheets. A thumping 5-0 win verses SD Compostela and victory against UD Ourense, with both semi-professional sides being promoted from the Spanish fourth tier.

Deportivo still have one more match on English soil, they will face off at the Riverside Stadium later in the week against Championship side Middlesbrough.

The game started openly, with both sides attacking well in numbers, and Watford taking only twenty minutes to find the back of the net through academy graduate Jack Grieves. The youngster placed his finishwell after beating last man Dani Barcia. Having won the ball on the left hand side, Watford kept the attack alive and ended it well.

One of Watford’s latest recruits is twenty-two-year-old Dane Luca Kjerrumgaard. As he has demonstrated in the clubs last game with Leyton Orient, he is a deadly presser of the ball

From his opening matches prior to the upcoming Championship campaign, Pezzolano has been seen demanding a high press and an aggressive side that opponents will fear to play. Perhaps the Danes is just what is required in a high tempo team.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Paulo Pezzolano of Real Valladolid reacts during the LaLiga match between CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio El Sadar on November 02, 2024 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

What turned out to be a occasion for Watford was overshadowed with one fear from tonight’s match.

Defender Mattie Pollock came off injured after a challenge on his leg. Pollock had been crucial for the Hornets, playing 3,920 minutes last season.

The Englishman was replaced by twenty-one year old Kévin Keben who looked calm across the backline. Due to his potential and his success in France winning Ligue 2 and Coupe de France in back-to-back seasons, the Cameroonian will almost certainly replace Pollock if he will have time on the side-lines.

Watford’s Mattie Pollock during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers FC and Watford FC at Ewood Park on April 26, 2025 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Rich Linley – CameraSport via Getty Images)

As expected in pre-season, both sides made substitutions, with players such as Moussa Sissoko and Mamadou Doumbia coming on.

The second half remained electric through smart substitutions, and Selvik in the Watford goal was forced into some great saves.

Pezzolano will be happy with his side’s end to pre-season. With Charlton Athletic away at The Valley in the opening match, it will be a good test for this side full of new recruits.

For Deportivo a prolonged pre-season means they still have matches verses sides from France, England and Spain.

Seven days after Watford kick-off their Championship season on the 9th of August, Deportivo will face Granada as they return to La Liga 2 action.