28 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Impressive Valencia take charge of Group D

Valencia 2-1 Roma

Valencia took control of Group D with a victory over Italian side Roma in an entertaining match at the Mestalla. Goals from Miguel Angulo and David Villa made it two wins from two for the Spanish outfit.

Portuguese international right-back Miguel played the full 90 minutes for Los Ches, and his side followed up their weekend draw against Barcelona with another impressive team performance.

The home side took the lead having been under a spell of pressure from Roma, when David Villa was picked out at the back post and pulled the ball back to Miguel Angulo, who finished well.

Roma’s equaliser came from the penalty spot, and Valencia could have no complaints about the award. Italian defender Moretti struggled to deal with a ball into the box, and ultimately dragged his countryman Marco Cassetti to the ground. Francesco Totti sent Canizares the wrong way to draw Roma level with less than twenty minutes on the clock.

Moretti made amends for his mistake by playing a major role in the goal that put Valencia back in front. The left-back embarked on a run into the Roma half before finding Villa on the edge of the box, and Valencia’s star striker beat Roma goalkeeper Doni with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Both sides had chances to score further goals in an end-to-end game, with Pizarro’s shot deflecting over for Roma, while a great solo run from Villa was let down by a poor finish. Valencia appealed for a second-half penalty after the ball struck Matteo Ferrari’s hand, but it would have been harsh on the defender.

In his post match press conference, Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores was determined not to get carried away by the result: “I am happy that we won the game but as I have said to the players, this is only the beginning and we must continue to work hard in order to reach our goals.”

“The first thing we must achieve is a place in the next stage and we are a little closer to that after tonight. We struggled during the opening minutes but once we closed Roma down and left them without any spaces to operate, we began to grow as a team. A third goal would have been nice but at least we are enjoying ourselves and that is good news for everyone.”

Valencia move clear at the top of the group, with six points from their opening two games. With their domestic form equally impressive, Los Ches are showing signs of being a threat on all fronts this season.

Valencia:
Canizares, Miguel, Moretti, Albiol, Ayala, Albelda, Edu, Vicente (Gavilan, 92), Angulo, Villa (Silva, 72), Morientes (Regueiro, 87)
Yellow Cards: Ayala (18), Albelda (35)

Roma:
Doni, Panucci, Chivu, Ferrari, Cassetti (Okaka Chuka, 64), Tonetto, De Rossi, Aquilani (Montella, 45), Pizarro, Perrotta, Totti
Yellow Cards: Ferrari (74), De Rossi (80), Perrotta (92)

Goals:
[1-0] Angulo, 12
[1-1] Totti, 19 (pen)
[2-1] Villa, 28