The Mestalla outfit recorded their first win after sacking manager Mauricio Pellegrino as they managed to beat Lille 1-0.
The departure of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mauricio-c24899 Pellegrino had caused a lot of controversy surrounding the Spanish club, as the club’s supporters did not completely back the chairman’s decision.
Ernesto Valverde had been appointed as the club’s new manager and it was his first game in charge.
The manager was being represented by Salvador Gonzalez, as he chose to replace suspended star striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-Soldado-c31367, with Nelson Valdez.
The defensive duo of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ricardo-Costa-c30980 both had a special occasion to rise up to as they both used to play for the French club they were playing against.
Veteran http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Albelda-c10417 was also given a surprise start, following his criticising of fellow players in midweek.
The Spanish side were depending on Bate to do them a favour in the other fixture of the group as they took on Bavarian outfit, Bayern Munich.
Any result for the Belarusians against the Bavarian giants would see Valencia top their group, provided that they won their match.
Valencia played their share of the bargain when Marko Basa brought down http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonas-c18967 inside the box, and the Valencia man did not make any mistake form the spot by stroking the penalty in the bottom corner of the Lille goal.
The goal saw Valencia gain a 1-0 lead at Grand Stade Lille Metropole.
Lille managed to turn the game around with substitutions in the second half as the home side started to gain some momentum.
Ronny Rodelin came close to scoring for the home side as Valdez was brought in to action and he cleared the host’s effort from the goal line, keeping Valencia’s lead intact at enemy’s territory.
Lille kept on piling the pressure on the guests in search for the equaliser, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-Guaita-c36003 was brought in to action time and again and the goal keeper produced two terrific saves to keep his side still in the lead.
Another substitution, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitri-Payet-c11276, rattled the cross bar with his effort as it wasn’t to be the home side’s night.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 were relieved to hear the final whistle and hence qualified for the next round of the UEFA Champions League, although they could not top the group.
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