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UCL,Match=04ONVAValencia CF sealed their place in the Second Group-Match Stage with a valuable 2-1 away win against Olympique Lyonnais in their Champions League Group C encounter at the Stade Gerland in Lyon.
Spanish double
The visitors soaked up Lyon's constant first-half pressure, and broke the deadlock right on half-time, when Juan Sánchez collected John Carew's flick-on and slotted the ball past the helpless Gregory Coupet. A frantic second half saw Lyon's Marc-Vivien Foé sent off for two bookable offences and five other player cautioned. Amid a blanket of tackles and goalmouth scrambles, Valencia sealed the victory with a well taken goal by Ruben Baraja. The midfielder easily rounded the on-rushing Coupet, before slotting home from ten metres. Steve Marlet's late reply for the hosts was merely a consolation and Valencia now progress to the Second Phase.
Good chances
Lyon had looked the most likely to score during the opening exchanges, but couldn't capitalise on several good chances.Foé saw his 25 metre effort skim just wide of Jose Cañizares' goal, before Christophe Delmotte's explosive drive was expertly tipped over by the Valencia 'keeper. As Lyon continued to pepper the visitor's goal, Steed Malbranque and Sonny Anderson both went close.
Sending off
The timing of the opening goal appeared to knock the stuffing out of Lyon. The referee barely had time to restart the game after Sánchez' strike and Valencia were certainly in the ascendancy after the break. Efforts from the lively Gaizka Mendieta, Sánchez and wide-man Kily González all threatened to add to the scoreline as the Spanish side oozed confidence in their attacking play. Bookings for Mendieta, Baraja and substitute Miguel Angel Angulo were awarded either side of Foé's second caution. The Cameroon international had already been booked for a late challenge on Mendieta, when he fouled Sánchez in the centre circle.
Sucker punch
His departure signalled more Valencia pressure and, as the home side went in search of an equaliser, they were caught with a classic sucker punch. Angulo's lofted ball found Baraja in acres of space and he wasted no time in doubling the visitor's lead. Steve Marlet pulled a goal back for Lyon with a well-taken header from a deep right-wing cross, but the damage had already been done. A late chance for Anderson and an stoppage time corner came to nothing.
Undefeated record
Lyon took nothing from a game they deserved something from. Valencia march on into the Second Group-Match Stage with an undefeated record in the competition so far.
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