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Valencia down Roma 2-1
Miguel Angel Angulo and David Villa scored first-half goals, and Valencia beat AS Roma 2-1 on Wednesday to maintain its perfect start in Champions League.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 10:37 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Valencia:
Miguel Angel Angulo and David Villa scored first-half goals, and Valencia beat AS Roma 2-1 on Wednesday to maintain its perfect start in Champions League Group D. Francesco Totti, celebrating his 30th birthday, replied for the Italian team from a 19th-minute penalty at the Mestalla stadium. Valencia, losing Champions League finalist in 2000 and 2001, has six points from two games, while Roma stayed with three. Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympiakos each have one point following a 2-2 draw in Wednesday's other group match. "It was a very important win. We've not achieved anything yet, but six points in a difficult group like this one could be definitive,'' said Valencia striker Fernando Morientes. Good start Roma - without Philippe Mexes, Amantino Mancini, Rodrigo Taddei and Mirko Vucinic - made a bright start with Simone Perrotta twice coming close with headers and Marco Cassetti shooting just wide. Valencia took the lead in the 12th minute when Angulo profited from Villa's miscued pass to angle a volley past goalkeeper Doni from inside the penalty area. Valencia's Italian defender, Emiliano Moretti, then grappled Cassetti to the ground. Although referee Herbert Fangel initially rejected Roma's claims for a penalty, he awarded it after consulting with his assistant referee. Totti calmly converted the spot kick. Moretti made amends with a driving run in the 29th minute before passing to Villa. The Spain striker controlled the ball before scoring with a low shot from just outside the area. The game then lost its sheen, although Villa produced an impressive turn and shot which almost increased Valencia's lead just before the interval. Penalty cards Villa, Valencia's most dangerous player, threatened again on the hour with an angled shot that was deflected by defender Max Tonetto. Villa left the field to a rousing reception when he was replaced by David Silva in the 72nd, six minutes before Doni prevented Morientes from adding to Valencia's lead. Valencia defender Roberto Ayala, who received a yellow card at the time of Roma's penalty, was handed a second in the 80th minute. However, the Argentine remained on the field, suggesting that his first caution had been withdrawn by the referee at halftime, as it should have been given to Moretti. Valencia hosts Shakhtar and Roma visits Olimpiakos on October 17.(AP)Topics mentioned in this article
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