Valencia 4 Malaga 3: Aduriz settles thriller

Posted Saturday, January 22, 2011 by PA

Valencia 4 Malaga 3: Aduriz settles thriller Aritz Aduriz's late strike gave Champions League-chasing Valencia an amazing 4-3 Primera Division victory against a spirited nine-man Malaga side.

Salomon Rondon opened the scoring for the visitors after 10 minutes and netted again 10 minutes before the break after Juan Mata had equalised from a penalty - an incident which had seen Malaga defender Martin Demichelis sent off.

Half-time substitutes Roberto Soldado and Ever Banega had the desired effect with goals either side of Malaga's second red card - this time for Demichelis' central-defensive partner Helder Rosario.

Malaga refused to give up, though, and got back on level terms through Julio Baptista - only for Aduriz to have the last word.

The relegation-threatened visitors made a lively start, Baptista's deflected effort stinging the hands of Vicente Guaita within the first minute.

There was no flag, much to the hosts' dismay, when Apono escaped down the right and the midfielder produced the perfect low cross for Rondon to slot home.

However, the game looked to have swung dramatically in Valencia's favour just six minutes later.

Demichelis was shown a straight red card after his trailing leg caught Mata, who blasted the spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Defender Manolo was then immediately introduced in place of Enzo Maresca as Malaga reshuffled to cope with their numerical disadvantage.

Despite being a man down, Baptista - signed from Roma earlier this month - continued to link up well with Rondon, who burst through after 21 minutes but Guaita got his angles right and got down well.

Rondon was in again on the half-hour but Guaita - between the posts with both Cesar Sanchez and Miguel Angel Moya injured - stayed tall to again deny him.

However, Guaita was beaten for a second time in the 35th minute. The home defence failed to deal with Sergio Duda's floated free-kick from the left and it fell kindly for Rondon, who lashed high into the net from six yards.

Valencia coach Unai Emery made an attacking double change at the interval, bringing on Soldado and Banega for Jordi Alba and Angel Dealbert.

Both new boys were involved as Los Che drew level, Soldado providing the finishing touch to the move from Pablo Hernandez's cross in the 53rd minute.

Malaga's numbers were further depleted 12 minutes later when Rosario was sent off, seemingly for foul and abusive language after a decision went against him.

The Mestalla erupted two minutes later when Banega fired into the bottom-left of Sergio Asenjo's net following a corner.

Not to be outdone, Baptista stunned the hosts by curling a fine equaliser into the bottom-right corner with 11 minutes remaining.

However, Valencia pressed forward looking for the winner and it duly arrived in the final minute. Luis Miguel found Soldado, whose pull-back was perfect for an unmarked Aduriz and he slotted home.