Valencia vs. Monaco: Winners and Losers from Champions League Playoff
Valencia are within sight of the UEFA Champions League group stage after defeating Monaco 3-1 on Wednesday at the Mestalla in the first leg of their playoff tie.
The hosts started brightly and took the lead in just the fourth minute through Rodrigo, but Monaco equalized early in the second half when Mario Pasalic slammed in from close range. Dani Parejo restored Valencia's lead just before the hour mark, following an assist by Pablo Piatti, and Sofiane Feghouli added the third goal in the closing minutes to give his side a cushion heading into the second leg.
With Wednesday's win, Valencia know that anything better than a 2-0 loss next week in the principality will secure passage to the group stage for the first time since 2012-13.
Monaco won't go away easily, though. The Ligue 1 side advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals last season and are especially strong at home.
Here, Bleacher Report selects winners and losers from Wednesday's match.
Winners: Nuno Espirito Santo and Valencia
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Based on the way the various leagues of Europe have set up their schedules this season, one might have thought Monaco carried a minor advantage into this game, as the Ligue 1 side have already played twice domestically. La Liga, though, is set to start this weekend, so Valencia had not played a competitive match yet this term.
Instead, it was Valencia flying out of the gates with a blistering start and a goal in the first four minutes. The Spanish side then finished strongly as well, giving themselves a two-goal cushion for the second leg thanks to Sofiane Feghouli's late strike.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo deserves credit for preparing his side well. It is also worth noting that his decision to introduce Pablo Piatti for Rodrigo De Paul in the second half—a substitution that drew whistles from the home fans—worked out quite well. Piatti promptly set up what turned out to be the winner, making his manager look very good.
"We have to go for the goals," Nuno told reporters before the match, via Goal.com. "We have an opponent of a high quality. The team will play for everything because they want to be in the Champions League."
Valencia did exactly what Nuno wanted, and now, heading into the second leg, Los Che are exactly where they want to be.
Loser: Monaco's Defending
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Monaco advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals last season in part because of a stingy defense. But on Wednesday, the Ligue 1 side's back line did not play well. While it's true that Monaco were missing key players due to injury, some of the defending on display was poor, especially for a side that was so difficult to break down last season.
There were problems throughout the game, but the opening goal, which arrived in just the fourth minute, proved illustrative. Rodrigo De Paul started the sequence with a cross from the left flank to the back post, where Sofiane Feghouli escaped the attentions of Elderson and headed the ball back across the face of goal.
That's where both Paco Alcacer and Rodrigo stood completely unmarked. Either could have scored with a minimum of fuss, but Alcacer allowed his teammate to do the honors from close range.
On Twitter, ESPN's Dermot Corrigan called the defending a "shambles." French Football Weekly wrote that "Monaco's back four look lost at sea." BeIN Sports host Andres Cordero quipped, "Elderson has a marking allergy (and) Feghouli's faster in shallow water than (Monaco defender Ricardo) Carvalho is on grass."
All is not lost. Monaco still have a chance to qualify, but doing so will take a strong defensive performance in the second leg.
Valencia, however, will be optimistic about their chances to create problems for their opponents again next week.
Winner: Sofiane Feghouli
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Sofiane Feghouli set up Valencia's opener and scored the crucial third in the 86th minute. But those were just the high points of a strong all-around display. As Graham Hunter noted in UEFA.com's recap, "Feghouli's vital strike, the most clinical of the night, only capped a performance of both grit and silken skills from the winger."
The opener showcased the grit. With Rodrigo De Paul's cross floating toward the back post, Feghouli slipped free from Elderson and nodded the ball down to create an unmissable scoring chance.
His goal, Valencia's third and last of the night, showcased his silken skills. After Monaco were unable to clear a corner, the ball bounced high in front of Feghouli, who used excellent technique to power his shot into the net on a half-volley.
All in all, it was a night to remember for the Algerian international winger.
Losers: Any Defenders Trying to Chase Anthony Martial
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His side lost by two goals, but Monaco's Anthony Martial might have been the game's most exciting performer.
English fans will remember Martial for the 19-year-old's role in Monaco's victory over Arsenal at the Emirates in last season's round of 16. If anything, though, he only looks more dangerous this season.
A France U21 international, Martial frequently caused chaos in and around Valencia's back line with mazy dribbling, deft touches and blazing bursts of speed. In the first half, he set up Bernardo Silva for a shot that was deflected onto the post, and shortly before halftime, he had a goal ruled out for a tight offside call.
His dazzling dribbling led to Monaco's equalizer early in the second half, and he probably should have won a penalty when the score was still just 2-1 in Valencia's favor.
Real Madrid TV presenter Phil Kitromilides called Martial a "serious prospect" on Twitter, but even though the player is still just 19, he already has the skills to trouble many senior defenders across the continent. With continued improvement, he could become a breathtaking attacking force.
Winner: Maty Ryan
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The final score suggests a comfortable win for Valencia, but that wasn't quite the case. For one thing, Feghouli's late goal gave the hosts an extra cushion heading into the second leg. For another, goalkeeper Mathew Ryan played very well in his competitive debut for the club.
In the 33rd minute, Ryan made a crucial intervention to preserve his side's 1-0 lead, tipping Bernardo Silva's fierce shot onto the far post. Midway through the second half, with Valencia leading 2-1, the Australian goalkeeper produced another top save. Mario Pasalic seemed destined to score with a header, but Ryan, who was already moving in the opposite direction, quickly shifted his momentum to his left and pushed the ball away.
It was a fine start to life in Spain for the 23-year-old Ryan, who will be targeting a strong campaign after his move from Club Brugge in the summer.
Winners: The Kits
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Finally, take a moment to appreciate the classy couture on display Wednesday night at the Mestalla.
Valencia, as ever, looked sharp in their understated white-and-black home kit, a traditional style that comes off even better without a sponsor across the chest. Monaco, though, were far from outdone in an attractive shade of deep navy blue paired with white shorts.
Together, the two kits made for an enjoyable spectacle for any football aesthete. Such considerations have no effect on the outcome of the game, but good kits always mean fine watching for neutrals.
