Valencia 2 - Villarreal 1

Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, David Navarro, Marchena, Carboni; Albelda, Baraja; Rufete (Sissoko 73'), Mista, Vicente (Xisco 80'); Di Vaio (Aimar 67'). 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Reina; Javi Venta, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Quique Alvarez, Armando Sá; Santi Cazorla (Héctor Font 62'), Josico (Battaglia 76'), Marcos Senna, Riquelme; Diego Forlán, Sonny Anderson (Xisco Nadal 84'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 26. Marchena. Glancing header on near post from Vicente's free kick.
2-0. 38. Baraja. Got ahead of defence to head Vicente kick down past Reina.
2-1. 79. Diego Forlán. Collected Javi Venta centre and forced ball into net.

Valencia started their defence of the league title with a 2-1 win over neighbours Villarreal on Monday night, the match having been put back due to the home side's participation in the European Super Cup. Ranieri's side went into a two goal lead in the first half thanks to two Vicente free kicks, Marchena heading the first past Reina and Baraja catching the defence napping to score from the second. Villarreal put up a good fight later on though, with Riquelme hitting the crossbar twice from free kicks near the end of each half. New signing Diego Forlán got a goal back for them ten minutes from the end somewhat fortunately, his half hit shot catching Cañizares wrong-footed.