23 November 2006, by Sean Gillen

Valencia back to winning ways

Valencia 2-0 Olympiakos

Valencia got back on track after their recent run of poor form with a win over Olympiakos to secure top spot in Group D. The victory was Los Ches’ first in six games in all competitions, and sent the Greeks out of the tournament.

Portuguese right-back Miguel, who recently stressed the importance of a win in this fixture, started in the Valencia defence, while Hugo Viana was a late substitute for the hosts.

However, Valencia were forced to rely on goalkeeper Santiago Canizares to keep them in the game early on, with the veteran making two early stops. Rivaldo’s 20-metre drive drew a good save from Canizares down to his right, and Maric’s free-kick produced an agile stop high to his left hand side. Olympiakos keeper Antonis Nikopolidis was also on form, saving well from a David Silva header.

Valencia took the lead on the stroke of half time, through Miguel Angulo. The winger cut in from the left hand side, before dispatching an unstoppable finish into the top corner to give Nikopolidis no chance.

The home side doubled their advantage in the first minute of the second period. Youngster David Silva delivered a superb cross from the left for substitute Fernando Morientes to head in for his fifth goal of this season’s competition.

Joaquin almost added a third for Valencia but his lobbed finish was cleared off the line, and Nikopolidis denied Silva’s header to keep his side in the game. Joaquin and Rivaldo both went close with free-kicks for their respective sides, but Valencia ultimately secured the win they needed ahead of a weekend clash with Real Madrid.

Goalscorer Angulo was delighted with the attitude shown by his team: “It’s at moments like this, with so many injuries, needing to win the group and also thinking ahead to a weekend match against Real Madrid, that the players must group together and perform for each other,” he said.

“What gives me and all the guys extra enjoyment from this result is you could really tell that the fans were enjoying it,” added Angulo. “Despite all the problems we’ve had, we played some good football and did the job which was put in front of us. It’s a good feeling to win the group.”

Valencia boss Quiqe Sanchez Flores was equally satisfied with the performance: “We have to congratulate ourselves on what we have done. We qualified for the next round after just four games and we’ve ensured we finish top after five. We hope that in two and a half months from now when the next stage of the competition begins we will be in much better health.”

“This win will raise the team’s spirits after two league defeats and improve our self-esteem before Real visit us.”

Valencia:
Canizares, Miguel, Torres, Ayala, Albiol, Pallardo, Silva, Baraja (Viana, 86), Joaquin, Angulo (Tavano, 75), Villa (Morientes, 22)
Yellow Cards: Pallardo (48), Albiol (62), Ayala (92)

Olympiakos:
Nikopolidis, Pantos, Zewlakov, Kostoulas, Julio Cesar, Stoltidis (Babangida, 63), Castillo (Borja, 70), Djordjevic, Rivaldo, Okkas, Konstantinou (Maric, 16)
Yellow Cards: Zewlakov (30), Maric (42), Castillo (51), Pantos (80)

Goals:
[1-0] Angulo, 45
[2-0] Moreintes, 46