Anderlecht 1 - Valencia 2

Anderlecht: Zitka; Deschacht, Zewlakow, Kompany, De Boeck (Mpenza 72'); Wilhelmsson, Zetterberg, Vanderhaeghe, Baseggio; Iatchouk, Aruna Dindane. 4-4-2.
Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, Caneira, David Navarro, Moretti; Baraja, Sissoko; Rufete (Fiore 70'), Di Vaio (Mista 86'), Xisco (Carboni 80'); Corradi. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 19. Corradi. Back-heel flick past keeper from Curro Torres low cross.
1-1. 24. Wilhelmsson. Following up after Cañizares saved Zetterberg penalty.
1-2. 48. Di Vaio. Chested down long pass from Corradi and volleye shot past Zitka.

Valencia fight to live another day after beating Anderlecht 1-2 in Brussels, and a 1-0 or better victory in two weeks time against Werder Bremen will see the Spaniards through to the last sixteen. Ranieri's initial plans were upset when Aimar pulled up with an injury in the pre-match warm up, Di Vaio taking his place in the starting line up. But they got off to the best possible start when Corradi put them ahead with a clever back-heel flick from a low Curro Torres cross in the twentieth minute.

The Belgians equalised though only five minutes later following a questionable penalty after Aruna fell theatrically twice in the box, the first being waved on by the referee but the second only instants later under a challenge by Caneira being given. Cañizares dived to his right to save Zetterberg's kick, but Wilhelmsson pounced on the rebound to score. That gave the locals confidence ,and Wilhelmsson had another pot at goal a couple of minutes later which Cañizares collected comfortably.

But three minutes in to the second half Valencia restored the lead when Corradi set up Di Vaio for him to volley over keeper Zitka. After that it was a case of holding on as best they know how, although they were lucky to get off two more penalty appeals, another on Aruna and a possible hand ball by Carboni late on. Inter Milan gave them a helping hand in the other group match, holding Werder Bremen to a draw which keeps the Chés within three points of the Germans. Any result which betters the 2-1 first leg scoreline will take the Spaniards through, otherwise it will mean third place and therefore back to defend their UEFA cup title.