Atletico of Madrid suffered a defeat against Valencia at the duel for the fourth place of the table (3-1). Javier Aguirre’s players dominated at Mestalla during most part of the game, but the great effectiveness of their rival at fast break provoked them to be always behind at the scoreboard: one goal by Ayala and two by Morientes were more than enough against a goal by Mista.

The red and white team culminated a great first half in which they were owners of the ball. Fernando Torres was the first to warn at a foul play. At 9’, the forward hit a corner kicked by Jurado, but Albeda achieved to save the ball above the goal line when Cañizares was already beaten. The team was working and the night predicted a new triumph for Atletico, but reality changed when Ayala beat Leo Franco with a header from behind.

The match seemed as those Atletico of Madrid matches played at Vicente Calderon, with control of the game and disadvantage at the scoreboard. Valencia executed their plan, giving the initiative to their rival and looking for spaces to go in fast breaks or with foul kicks actions. Mista approached several times to Cañizares’ area looking for the tie without success, the clearest one was when he almost pushed at the end of the net a center by Jurado.

The second half was almost the same; Mista and Fernando Torres harassing Cañizares area. Number ‘9’ worried the Che stands with a header from a pass by Jurado that left close to the left post: the captain leaded the reaction of an Atletico that kept with the control of the match in his hands. It was then when the story of the first half was repeated and Morientes wide distances in an accurate fast break.

The red and white team responded hardly three minutes after with a goal that Mista scored thanks to a low right footed. The red and white team achieved to get in the match again with the aim to get, at least, a point and not let Valencia to be ahead at the fight for the fourth place of the classification. Javier Aguirre replaced ‘Kun’ Agüero for Galletti, but Valencia deal a definitive blow scoring Morientes the third one of the night.

The scoreboard was getting heavier for Atletico and the incorporations of Costinha and Gabi at midfield weren’t enough to return at the match against a Valencia that only shielded the Bunker of Buteller (Substitute of Cañizares that left injured) and kept the advantage in the scoreboard. Fulfilled the time the match got to the end with a convincing Che’s victory that won at the first battle for a place at Champions.


Photo: www.clubatleticodemadrid.com