Toe to toe

 The game started brightly with good work from Manquillo on the right, he beat his man with confidence but the cross was headed clear allowing Valencia to  strke on the counter attack, whipping in a cross from the right which beat everyone, it was a signal of the intention of both side inside the first 3 minutes.

It was just 2 minutes later when the visitors took a surprise lead. The Brazilian Jonas converted a cross from the right on the second attempt, but that lead lasted less than a minute before Atleti struck back. It was Falcao who equalises after great skill from Arda Turan who cut in from the left and delivered an inviting cross to the far post where the Tigre beat the offside trap to volley home with his right foot,all within the first six minutes. All square and an electrifying start to the game.

The game was being played at a great pace and intensity as both sides went in search of the next goal, it was Atleti who were playing in the Valencia half, but the rojiblancos couldn’t create the killer chance, and the visitor looked dangerous on the break with Valdez and Banega alert and looking to cause damage.

The next chance came in the shape of a free kick for Valencia in a dangerous position which saw the first big save of the game, the Belgian keeper pulled off a magnificent finger tip save from the Parejo free kick. The keepers touch marginally diverted the ball over the crossbar but the match officials failed to see it and awarded a goal kick to the home side.

Shortly after, there was bad news for the provider of the Atleti equaliser when the Turkish midfielder picked up what looked like an ankle injury. His night was cut short and he was replaced by Raul Garcia. The change unsettled Atletico who failed to find much rhythm in the remains of the first half. Courtois was the busier of the two goal keepers and was called upon in the 34th minute to pull off a double save to keep the score all square.

In the last five minutes of the half Atletico began to cause problems for Valencia and with 42 minutes on the clock Parejo picked up the first booking of the match for a foul on Gabi and just moments later, the Atleti captain had a chance from a free kick on the edge of the area. Valdez handled in a dangerous position and was lucky to escape without a booking. The free kick was on target as Gabi struck the ball to the side of the wall, his right foot effort had Diego Alves diving to his right to push the ball to safety. The home side finished the half the better of the two side.

Second half started and the rain hadn’t held up, but the big change was Simeone’s men came out looking like a new team and putting Valencia on to the back foot forcing corner after corner and rarely letting the visitor out of their own half. On one occasion left back Filipe Luis made an underlapping run and found himself in the Valencia penalty area, he unleashed a left footed strike which was deflected just wide and behind for another corner kick.

Atletico came close again as Falcao received the ball approaching the Valencia goal and spotted an intelligent run from the Brazilian Costa. El Tigre lifted the ball over the head of the last defender for Diego to run on to, as the striker closed down on Alves, the Valencia keeper got there just ahead of him and got an important touch to deny the goalscoring opportunity.

As the second half went on, it was the rojiblancos who went searching for the winner and with the game entered the final 10 minutes they looked the more likely to score but were unable to get the winner. The match ended all square, points shared and the focus now switches to the trip to Getafe next weekend.