Ayala urges Valencia onward

Roberto Ayala is not resting on his laurels after helping Valencia CF secure a place in the knockout stage with a crucial goal in the 2-2 draw at FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Top spot
A point in Ukraine last night ensured the Spanish side would finish at least second in Group D, but the Argentinian defender is determined his side will not take their foot off the accelerator as Greek hopefuls Olympiacos CFP head to the Mestalla on Matchday 5. "Yes, we have qualified for the next round but we want to finish top of the group and we want to beat Olympiacos," he said.

Cause for concern
While his late equaliser was a course for celebration in Donetsk, Ayala was unhappy with his side's performance as they twice went behind in the first half at the Olimpiyskiy stadium. "The fact that we didn't play together and that we didn't get the message meant we suffered during the first half," he said. "We were lost until we readjusted in the second half and we hope the draw serves to show we have to improve."

Stooping finish
Ayala settled his side's nerves with a goal in the 68th minute, stooping to head in from a corner. "At my age I can't jump that much," said the 33-year-old with a smile as he explained his decision to head rather than volley the ball. "We had practiced the set-piece and it worked out and I'm sure that if I'd kicked the ball it would have gone over."