A lone goal from scoring machine Roberto Soldado in the 52nd minute allowed Valencia to scrape out a win against a strong Atlético Madrid side in the Mestalla in Valencia. Soldado rose above the entire Atlético defense to head home a perfect cross from Valencia right back Miguel, and despite newly-acquired Atlético playmaker Diego's best efforts, Valencia managed to hang on to win.
Full Time, Valencia 1-0 Atlético Madrid: Roberto Soldado Goal Wins It For Chés Despite Late Atleti Rally
Valencia came out really strong at half time, pressing Atleti over the entire field, and their efforts would be rewarded early in the period when Miguel robbed a ball in midfield, sprinted down the right wing, and dropped a perfect pass right onto ex-Real Madrid canterano, Roberto Soldado, who's in the middle of an incredible run of form.
But they seemed to calm down after the goal, and Atlético clawed their way back into the match. New acquisitions Diego and Arda Turán made their debuts for the robiblancos, and really turned the game around: they provided solidity and attacking flare in midfield, and finally managed to string together some decent counter attacks.
But, like last week, Atleti were left feeling impotent in front of goal. They just couldn’t put one past Valencia keeper Guaita, who saved los chés on various occasions. All three of Atleti’s new acquisitions had legitimate chances, and all three--Radamel Falcao, Diego, and Arda Turan--either found Guaita or shot wide. I’m still sticking to my conviction that this team has some good days ahead of it, but wow, the really need to learn how to score.
In a karmic sense, this match was very even however: in the first half, the referees disallowed a legal goal for Valencia, and in the second they (main official González González (actual name) and sideline official Rodríguez Rodríguez--not real name) missed a pretty clear penalty on Diego. Sometimes, things work out.
Try telling that to Atleti fans.
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