| First Division - Day 11 | |
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Valencia 1 - Racing Santander 2 Valencia:
Cañizares; Ayala, Marchena, Pellegrino (Vicente 61'), Carboni;
Albelda, Baraja; Rufete, Jorge López (Aimar 46'), Canobbio; Oliveira
(Mista 76'). 4-2-3-1. Team changes: Valencia: Marchena, Rufete for David Navarro, Aimar / Racing: Ayoze, Nafti for Neru, Matabuena. Goals: Last week's leaders Valencia lost 1-2 to a Racing side who are having a good season and who ended the weekend up in eighth place. Rafa Benítez decided to leave Aimar, Vicente and Mista on the bench after their UEFA cup tie on Thursday, and replacements Jorge López and Oliveira came close to scoring early on. But the visitors were giving as good as they got, and midway through the half Bodipo ran through to open the scoring after Marchena failed to control a long pass and left the ball at the feet of Guinean striker. Three minutes later though the locals were level when Baraja produced a spectacular back heel from Jorge López's free kick, catching Ricardo by surprise. And he should have scored again on the stroke of half time when he shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Benítez brought on Aimar at the break, but it was the Cantabrians who scored again, Regueiro picking up a loose ball on the right of the area and firing across a low pass which Bodipo turned past Cañizares. Everybody expected Racing to retreat, but to his merit coach Lucas Alcaraz urged his side on, and Bodipo came close to scoring his hat-trick. Too late Valencia brought on more reinforcements, but the visitors held fast to hand Valencia their first home defeat of the season. A great result for them, and on this form it won't be the last surprise they dish out this year |
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