Unfinished business for Valencia
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Article summary
Valencia CF might have held FC Internazionale Milano in Italy but they have to finish the job against their bogey team when the tie concludes at the Mestalla.
Article body
According to Valencia CF coach Quique Sánchez Flores, his side need only hold their nerve and continue doing what they do best in order to overcome FC Internazionale Milano and reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Inter jinx
Despite their valiant double fightback for a 2-2 draw in Milan two weeks ago, Valencia must face the fact that Inter have become their bogey team in Europe. The Nerazzurri won 1-0 at the Mestalla in the last eight of the 2001/02 UEFA Cup for a 2-1 aggregate victory, before eliminating Valencia from the same stage of the following season's UEFA Champions League on away goals, and then thrashing their hosts 5-1 in Spain in the 2004/05 group stage.
Onus on Valencia
Since FC Porto achieved the feat in the 2003/04 semi-finals, ten sides have tried and failed to progress after drawing the home first leg of a UEFA Champions League knockout tie, yet the Valencia coach is wary of his opponents and wants no complacency. "I've told my players there will be no change in tactics just because we drew and scored two away goals in Italy," explained Sánchez Flores. "My challenge to them is to impose the same values, formation and attitude which have brought us this far in the Champions League and to third place in our domestic championship.
No comfort zone
"The basic fact is that Inter are a dangerous team who have the capacity to score against any side. If anyone is looking for a comfortable game, this isn't it. We have to set the tempo. The match there was very intense and demanding, so I want us to be more in control as we are at home." Rubén Baraja, Asier del Horno and Vicente Rodríguez returned to first-team action in Saturday's 1-0 Primera División victory over RC Celta de Vigo, yet may not all be ready for 90 minutes against Inter. Scorer Fernando Morientes bruised a thigh but is unlikely to join the suspended David Albelda in the stands. "I know the fans want revenge for that 5-1 defeat and I'd certainly welcome a big atmosphere to help us beat Inter. I can already feel it," added Sánchez Flores.
Victory target
Inter coach Roberto Mancini, already missing Patrick Vieira and Esteban Cambiasso, has added Adriano to his casualty list with the Brazilian troubled by a hamstring problem. "I don't think a top-class match like this will be settled by who is, or who is not, injured," argued Mancini, whose Serie A champions-elect won 2-1 at AS Livorno Calcio at the weekend. "I was very happy with the way we took control of the first leg and I'd have been delighted with the performance had Valencia not scored. I don't necessarily think Valencia merited a draw but now we are here with an opportunity to put that right. People keep reminding us that Valencia haven't lost at home in Europe this season and that they have a fantastic domestic record – but there is a first time for everything. Perhaps we will inflict their first and only Champions League defeat this season."
Probable teams
Valencia: Santiago Cañizares; Luis Miguel, Roberto Ayala, Raúl Albiol, Emiliano Moretti; Miguel Ángel Angulo, Rubén Baraja, Carlos Marchena, David Silva; Fernando Morientes, David Villa.
Internazionale: Júlio César; Nicolás Burdisso, Iván Córdoba, Marco Materazzi, Maicon; Luís Figo, Javier Zanetti, Olivier Dacourt, Dejan Stanković; Hernán Crespo, Zlatan Ibrahimović.
