Valencia Edge out 1-0 Win in France

Wednesday Valencia CF made the trip to Lille, France to face Group F cellar dwellers Lille OSC in the final group stage match this Champions League season. Lille came into the game already eliminated from the Champions League while Valencia were already through to the next phase, so neither team had any major incentive to really perform on the day. Valencia knew that if they could win, a draw or defeat for Bayern Munich against BATE Borisov would give VCF first place in the group. However, if both Valencia and Bayern were to get the same result, Bayern would finish first due to the head to head rule (Bayern beat Valencia at the Allianz Arena and drew at the Mestalla). Knowing that the odds of BATE snatching a draw against Bayern at the Allianz were slim and a victory even slimmer, Valencia, realistically, were playing only for pride. Lille had no chance of staying in European competition regardless of the outcome of any Group F matches, but they certainly didn’t want to end their already disappointing campaign with another defeat in front of their home fans. However, such intangible benefits for either club didn’t seem to galvanize them into an entertaining contest as both sides treated spectators to a match that was dull at best. 

Valencia went into the contest with an improvised back line, as Antonio Barragan was out with a suspension while Jeremy Mathieu and Joao Pereira were both out with injury. This forced Ricardo Costa, normally a center back, to play on the right side as a wing back, while Aly Cissokho filled in on his habitual left flank. Lille started strong, controlling possession and pressing hard. They created a chance in the first seconds of the game, but the menacing looking cross from the right flank was handled expertly by VCF keeper Vicente Guaita. After about ten minutes Lille started to take their foot off the gas allowing Valencia into the game. From that moment on it didn’t seem like Lille had anything in the tank that could contend with the Spaniards’ superior quality. This didn’t mean that Valencia were playing immaculately by any stretch of the imagination, however, and in the 15^th minute a mistake from Adil Rami almost let Lille in on goal. The powerful Frenchman, who was celebrating a sort of a homecoming having played for Lille before making the jump to Valencia, managed to make up for his mistake by snatching the ball away. However, his desire to dribble up the field got him in trouble again, resulting in a silly foul in midfield when he could have just cleared his lines. The game’s first shot on goal came in the 26^th minute from Valencia. The shot was right down the middle, however, and the Lille keeper, Elana, had no trouble making the save. Another mistake by Valencia, this time by Tino Costa, allowed Lille their first shot on goal, easily saved by Guaita. Lille were seemingly able to find their shooting boots from distance unleashing long shots on the 30^th and 34^th minute, but Guaita was equal to both keeping the scoreline 0-0. The deadlock was finally broken on 36 minutes as Jonas was brought down by Lille defender Basa in the box after a beautiful touch set up by an excellent cross from Cissokho. The first yellow card of the game was given to Lille defender Mavuba for protesting the decision. Jonas looked nervous as he stepped up for the penalty, but managed to slot it home, despite Elana guessing correctly the direction of the shot. The game would carry on in its normal fashion, devoid of much drama, but in the 40^th minute spectators were treated to a bit of comedy as three consecutive bicycle kicks were attempted, none with any real effect. The first was Feghouli, whose bicycle kick found its way to Nelson Valdez, who in turn tried his own bike kick. His appeared to be going wide, but Lille defender Basa made an acrobatic clearance by attempting a bike kick of his own; effective and entertaining, if not particularly exciting. The first half would end 1-0 in favor of Valencia.

The second half would start with Adil Rami receiving a warm greeting from the Lille supporters. It was good to see fans remembering all that a former player had done for them, regardless of what team he currently plays for. Lille would receive yellow cards in the 52^nd and 55^th minute for Beria and Balmont respectively and make their first change of the day bring on Marvin Martin for Mavuba. Martin’s introduction to the game had an immediate effect as two minutes after stepping on to the pitch he created Lille’s best chance of the game. His lobbed pass dropped in right at forward Rodelin’s feet, allowing him to unleash a close range shot that got past Guaita. Fortunately there was a wall of defender’s behind him and the shot was deflected. The ball found its way back to Rodelin, however, giving him another go. This time Guaita was ready and made an incredible save, smothering the ball before any more danger could complicate the situation further. A minute later, in the 59^th min, Bruno would try his luck from distance, and even though Guaita was beaten, the shot went wide and out for a goal kick. Caretaker manager Voro might have noticed the game start to slip away from him and made Valencia’s first substitution of the day, bringing on Pablo Piatti for Sofiane Feghouli in the 61^st minute. Lille would make their second change of the night bringing on Demitri Payet for Balmont in the 70^th minute. Lille’s purple patch of form would continue, however, as in the 71^st minute Lille forward Bruno would head just wide of Guaita’s goal. A minute later Jonas would have a shot go just high of Elana’s goal. In the 73^rd minute Valencia would make their second change of the night, bringing on Gago for Albelda. With 15 minutes left in regulation Lille began pressing harder, looking to win the ball all over the pitch. Lille’s attack down the wings in the 76^th minute created serious problems for Valencia as a difficult cross was flung into Guaita’s box. The Valencia keeper came out well for it, but his dive to save the cross resulted in a mid-air collision with a Lille forward and a Valencia defender. The ball would roll out of bounds for a goal kick, but Guaita lay on the ground in serious pain. Replays would show that the collision resulted in the VCF defender kicking Guaita in the face as he came charging in. After a few moments of recovery Guaita was able to carry on. In the 77^th minute Lille made their final change of the night bringing on Roux for Bruno.  Tino Costa would get a yellow card on the 80^th minute after accumulation of fouls and in the 82^nd minute Guaita would get a yellow for time wasting. Valencia would make their final change soon after and in the 83^rd minute Jonathan Viera would come on for Victor Ruiz. In the 84^th minute Martin would strike again, this time his lovely pass would find Solomon Kalou one on one with Guaita. Guaita would then make the best save of the night, getting an outstretched hand to Kalou’s shot, tipping the ball wide for another corner. The following set of plays would be three corner kicks, culminating with a strong punch from Guaita, clearing Valencia’s lines. In the 86^th Payet came the closest to leveling the score for Lille as his shot in the 86^th minute crashed against the crossbar before heading out of bounds. Lille would end the game in with a flurry, with the final play ending after another bicycle kick, this time from Roux. His acrobatic shot went wide however, bring the game to its conclusion.

Valencia took away the three points, which in the end were worthless as Bayern smashed BATE 4-1 at the Allianz. What they did take away from this game was prize money, one million Euros to be exact, which will serve the club well in operating and debt reduction costs. Now VCF can look forward to the next round of the Champions League where they will certainly face one of Europe’s elite clubs. Let’s hope that the club can continue to perform strongly in the Champions League and snatch a few more wins. Amunt!

Player Ratings

8.5-Vicente Guaita: Kept Valencia in the game and never let his guard down. While the other players may have gotten complacent, Guaita was at the top of his game until the very end, making some key saves.

7.5-Ricardo Costa: Did a great job considering he isn’t typically played at right back. He wasn’t too sharp going forward, but was excellent in defense.

7.5-Adil Rami: The towering center back did well on his homecoming, defending strongly.

7.0-Victor Ruiz: Solid performance; got forward a bit too.

6.6-Aly Cissokho: I’m really expecting so much more from this defender. He is often out of position and ineffective on the offensive. He hustled, though, and sent in the cross that led to the penalty, so his performance wasn’t all bad, but he is capable of so much more and he needs to start showing it.

7.3-David Albelda: A really refreshing performance from the veteran skipper. He showed off his positional ability, his mental toughness, and his strength in the tackle, even if he doesn’t have the legs for this competition anymore. His excellent mental strength carried him through to an excellent performance.

7.0-Tino Costa: Solid, but invisible performance from the Argentine. Didn’t do anything wrong, but wasn’t outstanding either.

6.8-Sofiane Feghouli- After a stretch of games in which he was showing how he may just be one of the next global superstars, he had a very quiet game today. The truth is though he’s been excessively overworked these last months, and even the youngest and fittest players will get fatigued. I think that’s what happed today, he just didn’t seem to have the energy to take players on the way he normally does. A back up right winger is desperately needed at this club…

6.6-Andres Guardado: Another player that needs to be consistent with their quality. Guardado also has so much talent and isn’t showing it off. Today he seemed lethargic, and while he didn’t do anything wrong, he didn’t bring anything to the table either. 

7.8-Jonas: Good game from the Brazilian international. Created and scored the penalty. After that though he seemed to have dropped off. Concentration seems to be a serious problem for lots of these players.

6.5-Nelson Valdez: Didn’t do anything the whole game. Ran a bunch, but nothing came of it. Probably evidence that he shouldn’t start, better used as an impact sub.

Subs

6.7-Pablo Piatti: Brought some energy to the side, created some chances, basically did what Valdez should have done. Still though, nothing productive came from his hard work.

6.8-Fernando Gago: Worked hard and did more to keep possession than Albelda, though not as effective in the tackle. Solid performance, nothing to write home about.

6.5-Jonathan Viera: I don’t think he even touched the ball after he came on.

written by Gail Hidalgo