Slavia Prague 2-2 Valencia: The Sesivani's Late Comeback Stuns Los Che

Joaquin, Valencia (MARCA)

Valencia surrendered a two-goal lead to stumble to a 2-2 draw with Slavia Prague in Europa League Group B action this evening. It is a result that leaves the Spanish outfit with a real battle to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Former Real Betis winger Joaquin opened the scoring from the spot, before a wonder strike from Hedwiges Maduro put the Spanish side in a seemingly unassailable position.

However, despite being down to ten men for most of the second half, Slavia hit back with two late goals through Petr Janda and Peter Grajciar to rob Valencia of the win and leave Group B wide open.

Despite remaining unbeaten in the section Valencia had amassed only five points, and with both Genoa and Lille competing for the top two spots, Los Che needed a win to consolidate their position as one of the superior sides in the tournament.

Coach Unai Emery has favoured a rotation policy in Europe but this evening opted for a strong starting eleven, with the exception of David Villa, who was suspended following his dismissal in the home match versus Slavia.

Indeed that 1-1 draw in the Mestalla represented the home side's solitary point in the competition so far and knew that a win would be required if they were to have any chance of progressing.

From the outset the Spanish side stamped their authority all over the tie, and it was no surprise when they secured the lead after 22 minutes.

Hubachek brought down Juan Mata inside the area, and Joaquin stepped up to calmly slot home the spot kick and hand Los Che a deserved advantage.

The result did not appear to be in doubt, particularly when proceedings descended miserably for the hapless hosts.

Moments after going behind, first-choice goalkeeper Denis Romanovs was involved in a clash with Nikola Zigic, and Martin Vaniak arrived to replace him.

And as the second half begun, the evening got considerably worse in the space of five frantic minutes.

Two minutes after the re-start, the visitors had doubled their lead and effectively sealed the points. Joaquin's corner to the edge of the area was controlled deftly by Hedwiges Maduro, and he then unleashed an unstoppable shot past Vaniak and into the net. It was a wonder strike from the Dutchman, and he celebrated in some style.

Moments later Zdenek Senkirik received his second booking for a poorly-timed challenge on Carlos Marchena, and it looked to be an evening to forget for The Sesivani.

However, Pablo Hernandez missed a guilt-edged opportunity to make it three with 15 minutes to go, and how the home side made him rue that miss in what was an incredible end to the match.

Ten minutes from time, Petr Janda leapt higher than the entire Valencia back line to head home and set up a grandstand finish for the ten men from the Czech Republic.

The momentum was well and truly with Slavia and their supporters, who sensed a comeback, and just three minutes later they snatched a dramatic equalising goal.

A counterattack saw the ball break to Peter Grajciar inside the area, and he sweetly volleyed the ball home to leave Unai Emery in shock. Valencia had somehow thrown this match away from a position of dominance, and Slavia were in charge despite being a man light.

Despite a late push to regain the victory Valencia could not produce a winning goal, and to compound their misery, Ruben Baraja was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence in injury time.

Delight for the hosts, but a third successive draw leaves Valencia with work to do to secure their passage to the next round.

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com