First Division - Day 16

Alavés 0 - Valencia 1

Alavés: Costanzo; Edu Alonso, Sarriegi, Juanito, Poli (Pape Thiaw 88'); Astudillo (Wesley 75'), Carpintero; Jandro, Nené, Lacen; Bodipo (Aloisi 60'). 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Cañizares; Miguel, Raúl Albiol, Marchena, Moretti; Baraja, Albelda; Angulo, Aimar (Mista 65'), Vicente (Fabio Aurelio 91'); David Villa (Rufete 83'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Alavés: Jandro for Gaspar / Valencia: Marchena, Albelda for Ayala, Fabio Aurelio.

Goals:
0-1. 07. Raúl Albiol. First time shot on far post after Moretti headed on corner.

Valencia ended the weekend in sixth place after beating Alavés 0-1 in the Mendizorroza stadium. Dmitri Piterman's side have not won at home all season, and they fell behind to a Raúl Albiol goal in the seventh minute after Moretti headed on Vicente's corner. The Vitoria based side thought they had equalised soon after when Bodipo had a goal disallowed for a questionable offside, and Nené just failed to convert a pass from the striker shortly beforehand. But Costanzo had to be at his best to tip a shot from Angulo over the bar, and Vicente fired another effort just wide of the post near the break.

Vicente was the main protagonist after the restart, hitting the woodwork twice; once early on from a wide angle, and then later in the half with a shot which Juanito turned on to the crossbar. In between Cañizares did well to save from Lacen at point blank range, but otherwise the home attack didn't cause too many problems, and Aimar, Villa and Baraja all had chances to increase the lead in the final minutes. The result means that Quique Flores's side have picked up thirteen points from their last five games. Their hosts though ended the weekend in joint last place, just above Betis on goal difference, and the disillusioned home fans called once more for their president to go.