Champions League Match Report: Valencia vs Chelsea – Part 1
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863, in what was being hailed as one of the biggest games of the Champions League group stages.
What made the game a whole lot interesting, was the fact that Juan Mata was returning to his former club for the first time, following his move to Chelsea. The Blues other forward, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 also marked his return to Spain in the game.
Andre Villas-Boas had opted to start with Torres up front, as he left http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044 on the bench for the game.
However, it seemed like the manager was looking for his sides experience to help them win the game, as he handed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Frank-Lampard-c14097 a start in the game.
The match kicked off with Chelsea attacking the home side early on and in the 3rd minute, they came awfully close to scoring the opening goal of the game.
Banega allowed Torres to steal the ball and run straight towards his goal, but Frenchman Rami made a crucial block to deny the Spaniard from scoring.
In the 25th minute of the game, Valencia charged forward as they looked to try and test Cech. Canales, who is on loan at the club from Real Madrid swerved to the left flank and cut in a cross towards the area, Hernandez was the quickest to get
to the ball, but saw his effort hit the side netting of the goal.
Following that attempt on goal, Valencia grew in confidence and charged towards the Blues goal time and time again.
Chelsea spent a majority of their time defending this onslaught from the Spaniards, which prevented them from creating any real chances of their own.
In the 44th minute, Terry managed to make a very crucial tackle on Soldado and prevented the striker from getting clean on goal and scoring a goal.
In the last minute of stoppage time, Hernandez executed a brilliant chip, which he received himself. He then volleyed the ball goal wards, but his effort fell straight into the palms of Cech.
Soon after, the referee blew the whistle to single for the half time break and sent both team back in to discuss their half time tactics.
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