European Champions League

Valencia 3 – Monaco 1

Valencia: Mat Ryan, Barragán, Mustafi, Rubén Vezo, Gayà; Enzo Pérez (Negredo 75’), Dani Parejo; Feghouli, De Paul (Piatti 55’), Rodrigo; Paco Alcácer (Javi Fuego 65’). 4-2-3-1.
Monaco: Subasic; Raggi, Carvalho, Wallace, Elderson; Fabinho, Toulalan; Bernardo Silva (El Shaarawy 77‘), Pasalic (Bahlouli 75‘), Cavaleiro (Dirar 62‘); Martial. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 03. Rodrigo. Slid ball into net after Feghouli headed back De Paul cross.
1-1. 46. Pasalic. Fired shot past Ryan after Vezo partly cleared Martial centre.
2-1. 48. Parejo. Turned shot in off defender after Piatti laid back Barragán cross.
3-1. 85. Feghouli. Drilled shot wide of Subasic after corner came back out to him.

Valencia survived unscathed, a 3-1 victory over Monaco in the first league of their Champions League qualifier giving them the advantage for next Tuesday’s return match. The Ches got off to the best possible start, Rodrigo opening the scoring in the fourth minute after Feghouli headed back De Paul’s cross. However debutant Mat Ryan had to be at his best to push a shot from Bernardo Silva onto the upright later in the first half, and just four minutes after the restart Pasalic levelled the scores after Rubén Vega failed to clear a cross from an impressive Martial. Soon afterwards though Dani Parejo restored the lead after Piatti played back a long cross from Barragán, and with five minutes to go Feghouli drilled home the third after a corner came back out to him.