Final score

6 March 2007 20:45

Valencia
Inter
Referee: Wolfgang Stark / Linesmen: Salver, Glindemann / Fourth official: Grafe
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Minute Text commentary
47' It's 0-0 after a pulsating first half of football at the Stadio Mestalla.
47' Cordoba makes a neat backheeled clearance in the area to deny Villa a scoring chance from Morientes' right-wing cross.
45' 2 minutes of added time.
45' Ibra frees Stankovic down the left. Dejan's cross shot from the by-line is plucked out of the air by Canizares.
43' Ibrahimovic is dispossessed by Albiol in the Valencia third as the Nerazzurri hit Valencia on the break.
42' Morientes gets a cross in from the right by-line, but there's no team-mate on hand in the six-yard box, and Julio Cesar makes an easy catch.
39' Angulo whips in a fast cross from the right. Materazzi clears with a flicked header.
38' Baraja, fresh back from a calf injury, is unable to continue. On comes Hugo Viana.
35' Inter close to an opener. Maicon's whipped cross is headed into the middle of the area by Stankovic at the back post. Albiol hooks clear (with the help of his arms, it seems) to deny Crespo.
33' Villa is lucky not to get booked for a late challenge on Marco Materazzi.
32' Albiol sweeps clear after Crespo fails to make clean contact with Ibrahimovic's cross from the left channel.
30' Canizares yellow-carded for protesting.
29' Ibrahimovic is booked for shoving Albiol.
29' Stankovic feeds Ibra in the Spanish box but the Swedish forward is intercepted by Albiol.
28' Miguel cuts out Dacourt's ball for Ibrahimovic as the Nerazzurri come back at Valencia.
27' David Villa unleashes a right-footer from 25 yards. It's well wide of Julio Cesar's right-hand post.
26' Maxwell frees Stankovic down the left. The Serbian's cross is blocked by Miguel. Nothing comes of the resultant corner.
24' Ayala gets back to win the the ball off Crespo who had just Canizares to beat after meeting a Stankovic through pass.
22' Baraja's ambitious shot from 25 yards is high and wide.
21' On the edge of the area Angulo collects a Morientes pass, swivels and shoots. Burdisso blocks.
20' Maicon receives from Zanetti after some great work in midfield by the Inter captain, and whips in a cross from the right. Canizares blocks.
19' Good chance for Valencia. Morientes fires over the bar from 20 yards.
19' Julio Cesar collects a right-wing cross from Angulo that takes a deflection off Maxwell.
18' Moretti's deep cross from the left goes behind for an Inter goal kick.
17' Materazzi's ball over the Spanish defence is a shade too long for Crespo. Canizares gathers.
16' Maxwell tackles Angulo on the right wing. Corner for the Spaniards.
15' Materazzi cuts out a Villa pass for Morientes as Valencia attack back.
14' Ibrahimovic collects a Stankovic forward pass but is immediately surrounded by three opponents and loses possession.
14' Crespo is a millimetre offside as he runs on to Stankovic's through ball.
13' Maicon blocks a Moretti cross from the left after Valencia switch play to the opposite flank following a combination between Villa and Miguel.
12' Julio Cesar parries Baraja's low diagonal shot from 20 yards. Corner for Valencia. Villa's corner is headed clear by Ibrahimovic.
10' Materazzi steals in to head over Stankovic's inswinging cross from the left-wing corner flag.
10' Ibrahimovic's cross from the left takes a deflection. Corner for Inter.
9' Villa fumbles his shot from Silva's through ball. Morientes' follow-up is blocked by Materazzi.
8' It's end to end in these opening minutes at the Mestalla. Ibrahimovic rifles a low shot on target from 25 yards. Canizares makes a comfortable save.
7' Miguel whips in a cross from the right. It's straight into the arms of Julio Cesar.
7' Ibra runs on to a Maicon ball down the right but fails to make clean contact, and Canizares collects.
6' Silva tries to squeeze between Maicon and Burdisso during a run down the left. The Valencia winger is tackled by the Brazilian full-back.
5' Stankovic crosses to the far post. Ibrahimovic plays across the six-yard box, Crespo goes down in the area after contact with Ayala.
4' Maicon does what Zanetti did a minute ago, and wins a free kick after being fouled from behind.
3' Zanetti bursts past three during a run down the left channel but the Inter captain loses possession.
1' Welcome to the Estadio Mestalla for tonight's UEFA Champions League round of 16 return between Inter and Valencia.
1' Ibra makes a headed clearance from Angulo's deep free kick.
1' Valencia kick off. FORZA INTER!!!!
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 15 Dacourt, 16 Burdisso, 5 Stankovic; 8 Ibrahimovic, 18 Crespo.
1' Valencia: 1 Canizares; 2 Miguel, 20 Albiol, 4 Ayala, 24 Moretti; 10 Angulo, 5 Marchena, 8 Baraja, 21 Silva; 7 Villa, 9 Morientes.
1' To qualify for the quarter-finals Inter need to win or draw at least 3-3. A 0-0 or 1-1 draw will suffice to see the Spaniards through. The match will go to extra time if tonight's clash finishes 2-2.
Minute Text commentary
48' Full time. Valencia 0-0 Inter. The Spaniards progress to the quarter-finals on the away goals rule after the 2-2 draw in Milan.
46' Viana fires over after Cordoba's header from Silva's left-wing cross.
45' 3 minutes of added time.
45' Marchena fires narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
44' Another clearance by Burdisso as the Spaniards push for a late goal.
43' Burdisso makes a vital clearance from Villa who was through on goal.
43' Maicon booked for a rash challenge on Hugo Viana.
41' Julio Cesar blocks a fierce shot by Vicente but fails to hold. Materazzi blasts clear.
39' Grosso has another shot blocked after receiving from Ibrahimovic.
37' Ibra chests down an Ibra ball from the right only to see his shot blocked by the Spanish defence.
35' Joaquin gets a shot in from 20 yards. Fortunately for us, it's wide of the left post.
34' Cordoba booked for foul play.
33' Another good chance for Inter. Cruz runs on to Materazzi's long pass but Albiol makes a timely intervention and blocks the Argentine's shot.
32' Valencia replace Angulo with Joaquin.
30' Inter go close at the Mestalla. Figo's outswinging free kick from the right is headed on target by Materazzi. Marchena clears on the line.
30' Fabio Grosso replaces Maxwell.
29' Hugo Viana's free kick is caught by Julio Cesar.
28' Materazzi booked for fouling Villa.
28' Good move down the right by Inter. Maicon steals in to collect an Ibrahimovic pass, then earns a yard of space before delivering a cross. Canizares gathers at the near post.
27' Cordoba pokes clear after Angulo fails to control a Marchena ball in from the right.
24' Excellent defending by Cordoba, who beats Villa to Silva's ball into the area.
24' Angulo booked for time-wasting.
23' Right-wing free kick for Inter. Figo's cross is headed to safety by the Valencia backline.
22' Valencia replace Morientes with Vicente.
21' Inter hit straight back. Ibra's right-wing cross is blocked by Canizares.
21' Julio Cesar smothers the ball as Villa's cross for Morientes is wayward.
19' Inter bring on Luis Figo for Olivier Dacourt.
18' Villa's effort is blocked by the Inter wall.
18' Valencia awarded a free kick 30 yards out for a Dacourt foul on Hugo Viana.
16' Villa's effort from the left side of the Inter area is yards wide of the target.
14' Julio Cesar is quick out to catch Angulo's ball into the box for Villa.
13' Inter replace Hernan Crespo with Julio Cruz.
13' Crespo's volley on the turn from Maicon's looping pass is over the Valencia bar.
12' Dacourt has an effort from distance blocked by Ayala.
12' El Jardinero is set to come on for Inter.
10' The home side remain in attack and Moretti goes close with a header that is well saved by Julio Cesar.
9' Maicon blocks a Silva cross from the left. Nothing comes of the resultant corner as Ibra heads clear.
7' Maicon's cross from the right is poked into the side-netting at the back post by Stankovic.
7' Albiol makes a vital headed clearance to deny Crespo a chance from Stankovic's dangerous cross.
5' Stankovic collects a Zanetti pass but loses control of the ball and the Valencia defence sweep clear.
4' Valencia captain Angulo frees Miguel down the right. The full-back crosses to the far post where Maicon heads behind. Inter survive a scare a Villa has a headed effort from the resulting corner deflected off Dacourt.
2' Ivan Cordoba cuts out a Silva pass for Moretti as the Spaniards look for openings down the left channel.
1' Inter kick off the second half. FORZA RAGAZZI!!!!!
Zanetti
6.02
6.02
Cordoba
6.55
6.55
Materazzi
6.5
6.5
Crespo
4.96
4.96
Cruz
5.22
5.22
Stankovic
5.19
5.19
Burdisso
5.67
5.67
Julio Cesar
5.92
5.92
Figo
6.27
6.27
Grosso
5.38
5.38
Maicon
5.67
5.67
Maxwell
5.22
5.22
Dacourt
5.05
5.05
Ibrahimovic
5.5
5.5
Average rating 5.65
8 shots on target 5
11 shots off target 4
15 fouls committed 18
5 corners 2
1 offsides 5
27:41 ball possession 27:01
Valencia v Inter

The two teams have met on nine occasions and there is a fairly even balance with 3 Inter wins, 2 Valencia victories and 4 draws. There has never been a draw between the two sides in Spain, with 2 wins apiece from 4 encounters.

Valencia v Italian clubs

Valencia have faced Italian clubs in competitive fixtures on 23 occasions, winning 7, drawing 5 and losing 11. Of the 11 games played in Spain, Valencia have won 6, drawn 1 and lost 4.

Inter v Spanish sides

There have been 38 meetings between Inter and Spanish clubs in European cup competitions. The Nerazzurri have won 13 (including the 1963/64 European Cup final against Real Madrird), drawn 10 and lost 15. Inter have collected 4 wins, 1 draw (3-3 against Alaves in UEFA Cup on 15 February 2001) and 13 defeats from 18 trips to Spain.

Inter through after 2-2 draw at home

For the second time in their history, Inter go into European return match after a 2-2 draw from the first leg. In the 1972/73 UEFA Cup second round, the Nerazzurri were held by Swedish side Norkoeping at the San Siro before winning the return 2-0 thanks to goals from Boninsegna and Magistrelli.

The ref: Wolfgang Stark

Born on 20 November 1969, German official Wolfgang Stark has been an international referee since 1999. At the Mestalla he will officiate in an Inter match for the third time after Inter 1-5 Arsenal (2003/04 Champions League) and Ajax 2-2 Inter (2005/06 Champions League). Stark has refereed Italian clubs on 8 occasions. There has been one Italian victory, one draw and 6 defeats. He referees a Valencia fixture for the second time after Roma 0-1 Valencia (Champions League, 18 February 2003).

Valencia unbeaten in 8 European home games

Since losing 2-0 to Werder Bremen in the Champions League on 7 December 2004, the Spaniards have collected 7 European wins (including last four matches played) and a draw at the Mestalla.

Valencia unbeaten in 8 European home games

Since losing 2-0 to Werder Bremen in the Champions League on 7 December 2004, the Spaniards have collected 7 European wins (including last four matches played) and a draw at the Mestalla.

Valencia's 252-minute home invincibility in Europe

Totti's 18th-minute penalty in Valencia 2-1 Roma on 27 September 2006 was the last time the Spanish side conceded a home goal in the Champions League. Including the remaining 72 minutes of that game and the entire matches against, Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympiakos, Valencia have not conceded a European goal for 252 competitive minutes.

Valencia through after 2-2 draws from first legs

For the third time in their history, Valencia go into a European cup competition return leg after a 2-2 away draw in the first match. On both previous occasions the Spaniards have gone on to qualify for the next round. Valencia knocked out Manchester City with a 2-1 victory in the return leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie in 1972/73, and disposed of Danish side B 1903 with an emphatic 4-0 win in the Cup Winners' Cup first round in 1979/80. On that occasion Valencia went on to win the competition, beating Arsenal 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Brussels.

Inter unbeaten in 33 games

Inter are unbeaten in 33 competitive matches, with 27 victories (including 11 wins in a row - 7 wins in Serie A, 2 in Coppa Italia & 2 in Champions League from 25 October 2006 to 2 December 2006 - a club record under the administration of Moratti) and 6 draws since their last defeat, a 2-0 home loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 27 September 2006.

Inter without defeat in 18 away matches

Inter's last away defeat was the 1-0 Champions League loss to Sporting Lisbon on 12 September 2006. The Nerazzurri have won 15 (including last 9 matches played) and drawn 3 since then.

Inter on target in 15 consecutive away games

The Nerazzurri have scored in each of their last 15 away matches, notching a total of 35 goals. The goalless Serie A draw at Udinese on 22 October 2006 was the last time Inter failed to score on the road.

Five-match unbeaten run in Europe

The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in Europe since their 2-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich on 27 September 2006, with 3 victories and 2 draws since that date.

Cruz, Crespo & UCL goals for Inter

Julio Cruz and Hernan Crespo have each scored 10 Champions League goals for Inter. They are fourth in the all-time list of Nerazzurri scorers in the competition, along with Obafemi Martins. The two Argentines are a goal away from the top three of Jair (11 goals), Adriano (16) and Sandro Mazzola (16).

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(1) draws(1) defeats(1)
6 March 2007 0-0 fixture
20 October 2004 1-5 48' Stankovic, 49' Vieri, 74' Aimar, 77' Van der meyde, 81' Adriano, 92' Cruz fixture
22 April 2003 2-1 5' Vieri, 7' Aimar, 51' Barajas fixture
VALENCIA - Inter are out of the Champions League after a goalless draw at the Estadio Mestalla.

Valencia's two away goals from the first leg in Milan proved enough to see the Spanish side through to the quarter-final stage.

Marco Materazzi headed over a Stankovic inswinger early on, with Julio Cesar parrying Baraja's diagonal drive before Morientes fired over from an inviting position just outside the area.

Angulo then had a shot on the turn blocked by Burdisso as Valencia pushed for an opener with Baraja rifling over from 25 yards.

The end-to-end first half continued with Argentina captain Ayala getting back well to dispossess Crespo who had just Canizares to beat after meeting a Stankovic through pass.

The Nerazzurri had a penalty claim turned down ten minutes before the break when Albiol appeared to handle the ball when blocking Crespo's shot from Stankovic's short pass in the six-yard box.

Inter survived a couple of scares just after the restart when Villa's near-range header deflected off Dacourt before Julio Cesar produced a point-blank save from Moretti's bullet header.

Stankovic fired into the side-netting from a Maicon cross, with Crespo volleying over from the Brazilian's looping pass as Mancini's men carved out a string of second-half chances.

Materazzi went closest on 75 minutes, rising at the back post to head on target a Figo outswinger that was miraculously saved on the line by Marchena before Canizares smothered. Julio Cruz had an effort blocked by Albiol minutes later after timing his run perfectly to meet a Materazzi pass.

Valencia hit back on the counter-attack, going close through Joaquin who fired wide from 20 yards, and Vicente, who tested Julio Cesar late on with a fierce low strike, forcing Materazzi into a sweeping clearance after the Inter keeper's block.

Fabio Grosso was twice denied in the Spanish box before Valencia lauched an all-out assault on the Inter goal in a tense finale, with Burdisso making two vital clearances from Villa before Marchena fired narrowly wide from 20 yards.

The match was marred by an ugly incident after the final whistle. Burdisso was punched in the face by Valencia substitute Navarro, sparking a brawl between players from both sides.

VALENCIA 0-0 INTER (AGG: 2-2)

Valencia: 1 Canizares, 2 Miguel, 20 Albiol, 4 Ayala, 24 Moretti; 10 Angulo (15 Joaquin 77), 5 Marchena, 8 Baraja (16 Hugo Viana 38), 21 Silva; 7 Villa, 9 Morientes (14 Vicente 67).
Subs not used: 25 Butelle, 3 Del Horno, 23 Curro Torres, 17 Navarro.
Coach: Quique Sanchez Flores.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 16 Burdisso; 4 Zanetti, 15 Dacourt (7 Figo 64), 5 Stankovic, 6 Maxwell (11 Grosso 75); 8 Ibrahimovic, 18 Crespo (9 Cruz 58).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 25 Samuel, 21 Solari, 91 Mariano Gonzalez.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).

Booked: Ibrahimovic 29, Canizares 30, Angulo 69, Materazzi 73, Cordoba 79, Maicon 88.

starting lineups

Canizares 12 Julio Cesar
Miguel 13 Maicon
Albiol 2 Cordoba
Ayala 23 Materazzi
Moretti 16 Burdisso
Angulo 4 Zanetti
Marchena 15 Dacourt
Baraja 5 Stankovic
Silva 6 Maxwell
Villa 8 Ibrahimovic
Morientes 18 Crespo

substitutes

Butelle 1 Toldo
Del Horno 25 Samuel
Curro Torres 11 Grosso
Navarro 7 Figo
Hugo Viana 21 Solari
Joaquin 91 Gonzalez
Vicente 9 Cruz