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Valencia Pip Inter As Brawl Hogs Limelight
Valencia (2) 0-0 (2) Inter
A tense, nervous game at the Mestalla between Valencia and Inter finished goalless and qualified the Spaniards for the quarter-finals, albeit amidst controvsial circumstances thanks to a post-match brawl.
The runaway Serie A leaders have had their European campaign cut chort by a resolute, organized and clinical Valencia side.
Los Che played the game of cat and mouse to perfection, coming back twice in the first leg to get a 2-2 draw, and Quique Sanchez Flores' organizational skills got the better of Mancini's attacking instincts in the second leg.
There were chances, and half-chances, but that is all they remained for the Nerazzurri, as they were sent packing with very little to show for their efforts over the two legs.
Valencia lined up with a 4-4-2 formation with Villa and Morientes upfront, while Inter had their usual 4-3-1-2 formation with Stankovic behind Crespo and Ibrahimovic.
The first half was a very balanced, nervous affair with very few chances of note. In the 5th minute there was a half-chance for Inter on a free kick which was flicked on by Ibrahimovic, however, no one was on hand to tap it in.
In the 23rd minute, Crespo could have scored as he tried to take advantage of a defensive mistake by Albiol, but Ayala came up with a good tackle to deny him.
In the 35th minute there was controversy as a shot by Stankovic appeared to have been handled on the goalline by Albiol, but the referee waved play on. Hugo Viana came in for the injured Baraja in the 36th minute.
As Hugo Viana is a less defensive player than Baraja, Inter tried to take advantage of this episode as they improved near the end of the first half, but there were no great chances before the half time whistle.
In the second half Valencia started strong as they forced a series of corners, which however did not lead to any major chances.
In the 52nd minute Stankovic attempted an ambitious volley on a cross by Maicon, but the ball hit the side netting.
Inter substituted Cruz for Crespo in the 58th minute, and Figo for Dacourt in the 64th, while Valencia took off Morientes for Vicente in the 67th.
A decent chance came in the 75th minute through Materazzi, whose header was cleared by Marchena on the line.
In the 77th minute Joaquin substituted Angulo for Valencia. Two minutes later Inter came close again as Cruz was found with space to shoot, but the Argentinean was shut off by Albiol.
There were some half-chances for both sides in the final minutes, with Valencia coming closest in the 90th minute when Marchena's shot shaved the post.
However, there were no further goals and the game ended in shameless fashion as there was a big row between various players which was ignited by a fight between Burdisso and Marchena. Frustrations among the Inter players were exposed as many got involved in this bizarre brawl. The result qualified Vale
The problems continued for minutes, and into the tunnel and the dressing room, with most of it being caught on camera.
Inter patron Massimo Moratti has since claimed that Inter defender Burdisso's nose was broken by che defender David Navarro, which is what sparked it all off, but the allegations are set to continue.
Players from both clubs will probably be handed massive bans for what was some very poor display of sportsmanship on the pitch.
While Inter will have to wait for next year to serve their punishment, Valencia will pay for it this season itself!
VALENCIA (0): Canizares; Miguel, Ayala, Albiol, Moretti; Angulo (Joaquin 77), Baraja (Hugo Viana 36), Marchena, Silva; Morientes (Vicente 67), Villa
INTERNAZIONALE (0): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi, Maxwell (Grosso 75); Zanetti, Burdisso, Dacourt (Figo 63); Stankovic; Ibrahimovic, Crespo (Cruz 58)
Referee: Schmuckles Stark (Germany)
goal.com
Using the starting line up I suggested.
