‘Valencia look comfortable as Inter brushed aside’
Inter Milan 0 – 2 Valencia – Emirates Cup – 28th July
Spanish heavyweights Valencia beat Inter Milan in the first game of the Emirates Cup without reaching third gear as goals from Jamie Gavilan and David Villa gave them victory.
A sparkling display from several of the big players in the Valencia side was enough for them to claim victory and put them in the right frame of mind to start the La Liga season in a couple of weeks.
An impressive strike from Gavilan in the first half followed by a deflected free kick from David Villa was enough to ensure that Valencia cruised over the finishing line. Four weeks away from the start of the Serie A season Milan looked overwhelmed and even with the likes of Luis Figo, Adriano and Marco Materazzi in their side did not get started in the first half causing them to fall behind.
Starting with Albelda, Silva and Joaquin offering them various attacking options and with a confident shape and balance to their team Valencia started well and created several excellent chances in the first period. Flying out of the blocks Silva flashed a volley just wide on four minutes and within seconds a second effort from Baraja threatened Toldo.
The Italian goalkeeper was formed into a save several minutes later as he saved another Baraja effort. On thirteen minutes however Valencia’s pressure was made to count when they took the lead through Gavilan. The influential Baraja crossed from the Valencia right deep to the back post and was volleyed in by Gavilan past a helpless Toldo. From a tight angle the Italian goalkeeper will be disappointed not to have been able to get down to the shot.
Quine Flores’ impressive side kept their feet firmly on the accelerator and urgently sought to find a second, perhaps decisive goal, however it was Inter who came closest to finding the net. Brazilian International Maxwell struck the post after a flowing attack but Valencia were able to double their lead a few moments later through a superbly excecuted set pieces.
After being brought down by Marco Materazzi, the Spanish International dusted himself off and with the aid of a slightly deflection gave his side an unassailable lead.
Both sides made several changes at the break and the flow of the game was significantly disrupted. Inter sent another player up front in a bid at get themselves back in the game but the well drilled Valencia side gave Adriano, Cruz and Suazo very few opportunities to make a mark.
Valencia passed the ball around comfortably for the first period of the second half and looked possible to be able to step up their quest for a third at any opportunity. Angulo nearly added another but hit the side netting before Cruz spurned a great chance for Milan to get back into the game. Roberto Mancini’s side continued to probe away but still continued to create little.
Fernando Morientes, a second half substitute wasted two good chances for his side towards the end of the game as the match fizzled out into a simple victory for Valencia.
An impressive strike from Gavilan in the first half followed by a deflected free kick from David Villa was enough to ensure that Valencia cruised over the finishing line. Four weeks away from the start of the Serie A season Milan looked overwhelmed and even with the likes of Luis Figo, Adriano and Marco Materazzi in their side did not get started in the first half causing them to fall behind.
Starting with Albelda, Silva and Joaquin offering them various attacking options and with a confident shape and balance to their team Valencia started well and created several excellent chances in the first period. Flying out of the blocks Silva flashed a volley just wide on four minutes and within seconds a second effort from Baraja threatened Toldo.
The Italian goalkeeper was formed into a save several minutes later as he saved another Baraja effort. On thirteen minutes however Valencia’s pressure was made to count when they took the lead through Gavilan. The influential Baraja crossed from the Valencia right deep to the back post and was volleyed in by Gavilan past a helpless Toldo. From a tight angle the Italian goalkeeper will be disappointed not to have been able to get down to the shot.
Quine Flores’ impressive side kept their feet firmly on the accelerator and urgently sought to find a second, perhaps decisive goal, however it was Inter who came closest to finding the net. Brazilian International Maxwell struck the post after a flowing attack but Valencia were able to double their lead a few moments later through a superbly excecuted set pieces.
After being brought down by Marco Materazzi, the Spanish International dusted himself off and with the aid of a slightly deflection gave his side an unassailable lead.
Both sides made several changes at the break and the flow of the game was significantly disrupted. Inter sent another player up front in a bid at get themselves back in the game but the well drilled Valencia side gave Adriano, Cruz and Suazo very few opportunities to make a mark.
Valencia passed the ball around comfortably for the first period of the second half and looked possible to be able to step up their quest for a third at any opportunity. Angulo nearly added another but hit the side netting before Cruz spurned a great chance for Milan to get back into the game. Roberto Mancini’s side continued to probe away but still continued to create little.
Fernando Morientes, a second half substitute wasted two good chances for his side towards the end of the game as the match fizzled out into a simple victory for Valencia.