Valencia 3-1 Lille: Los Che Top Group B After Routine Victory

The home side are on top of the pile after a convincing win...

Dec 2, 2009 10:03:57 PM

More On :  LOSC Lille Métropole, Valencia CF, Valencia CF vs LOSC Lille Métropole
Joaquin, Valencia (MARCA)

Despite missing two of their best players, Valencia disposed of Lille in spectacular fashion at the Mestalla, to put them in pole position in Group B.

Valencia's biggest headache came from the unavailability of David Villa and David Silva, which meant Joaquin and Pablo Hernandez earned starts, while Miguel Moya replaced Cesar in goal. Lille, meanwhile, started with their strongest possible lineup.

The visitors might have felt confident of causing a surprise given Valencia's absences, but Los Che made a signal of intent with their first attack of the match. Ever Banega played a sublime through ball for Juan Mata down the left, and his ball across the box fell to Joaquin, who only had to tap into an empty net.

Banega was ruling the roost in midfield, and minutes later he broke through the defence, only to shoot straight at Mickael Landreau. The home side were rampant, and they were unlucky not to go further ahead when Mata smacked a vicious curling effort against the crossbar.

Lille began to grow in confidence, but were struggling to create chances, while Valencia came close once more, when Alexis' header from a corner was deflected over. Mata continued to threaten as well, as he shot inches wide after being played through by Banega once more.

Despite their domination, Valencia still only had the single goal, and Lille came close to equalising when Pierre-Alain Frau volleyed just wide from outside the box. It was only a matter of time until Los Che scored again though, and it arrived in fairly simple fashion, with Joaquin getting onto the end of Carlos Marchena's through ball, before slotting past the 'keeper.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the hapless visitors, as Mata once again tested Landreau with a fierce shot. Seconds later, Banega found himself through on goal, but could not take it past the goalkeeper for the third.

Lille still managed to create the odd chance, with Franck Beria seeing his header well saved by Moya. Gervinho then had a decent shout for a penalty, but the referee decided that Alexis had got the ball. Thus, Lille failed to break the deadlock before the interval, as Los Che went into the sheds with a comfortable lead.

Rudy Garcia made a change at half-time, replacing Frau with Robert Vittek. The substitute almost made an immediate impact with a shot from range, but Moya did well to save. Valencia were still dominating though, and it was no surprise when they got the third. It was another long ball that did the trick, as Mata got on the end of Bruno's punt before beating off the challenge of two defenders and slotting past Landreau.

Having gone three behind, Lille's frustrations began to boil over, and the game started to suffer from a series of fouls and confrontations between the two sides. Valencia looked happy to hold on to their lead, while the visitors seemed to have given up hope.

As a result, the second half became something of a damp squib, especially after both managers made use of their substitutions. There was very little football and a lot of fouling, meaning that the chances dried up completely.

It looked as though the match would come to a tame end, but suddenly, in stoppage time, the visitors found their game. First, Valencia failed to clear a corner that eventually fell to Aurelien Chedjou, who slotted into an empty net with Moya way out of position.

Then, with just 90 seconds left, Gervinho found himself through on goal, and was only denied by Moya's fingertips, preventing a tense finish for the home faithful. It was all too little too late for Lille, but the 0-0 draw in the other game means that there is still all to play for in the final round.

Slavia Prague 0-0 Genoa - Lineup/Stats

A goalless first period preceded a second half where three substitutes and tactical reshuffling on both sides made no difference to the result in Prague. Now, both Lille and Genoa are tied for second place in group B with 7 points.

Failing to pick up three points against their hosts tonight, Genoa have left themselves with the daunting task of welcoming Valencia to Italy for their last chance at qualification, while Lille are at home to Slavia Prague

Arjun Miglani, Goal.com
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