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Defending champion "Valencia" started the new Spanish championship season with a 2-1 victory against "Villareal" footballers. These often called derby matches took place at Valencia's "La Mestalla" stadium.
Before the match, it was revealed that one of the team leaders, Roberto Ayala, suffered a serious injury to his right knee, requiring surgery to heal, and the Argentine will have to miss between six to eight weeks.
2 - 1
26' [1 - 0]
38' [2 - 0]
82' [2 - 1]
Both teams started the match cautiously. The first goal against "Villareal" came in the 26th minute. After a great free-kick by Vicente from the right corner of the field, the Spanish national team defender headed the ball into the goal.
Just over ten minutes later, the score became 2-0. Vicente again lifted the ball well, and this time defender Ruben Baraja also headed the ball into the goal. In the 82nd minute, Villareal's newcomer Uruguayan Diego Forlan softened the score.
It is worth mentioning that in this match, things did not go well for "Villareal" defender Riquelme, who is on loan from "Barcelona," as he hit the goalposts several times.
Lineups:
Valencia: Canizares; Carboni, Marchena, Navarro, Curro Torres; Vicente (Xisco 84'), Albelda, Baraja, Rufete (Aimar 67'); Di Vaio (Sissoko 74'), Mista.
Villareal: Reina; Javi Venta, Quique Alvarez, Armando Sa, Gonzalo; Josico (Battaglia 75'), Senna, Riquelme, Cazorla (Hector Font 62'); Forlan, Anderson (Xisco Nadal 86').
