Atlético Madrid 1 - Valencia 0

Atlético: Abbiati; Perea, Pablo, Eller, Antonio López; Maxi (Luis García 90'), Raúl García, Cléber Santana, Simao; Agüero (Valera 93'), Diego Forlán (Reyes 71'). 4-4-2.
Valencia: Hildebrand; Arizmendi, Raúl Albiol, Iván Helguera, Moretti; Baraja (Vicente 78'), Marchena, Montoro (Banega 46'); Mata (Zigic 46'), Joaquín, David Silva. 4-3-3.

Team changes: Atlético: Antonio López, Cléber Santana for Pernía, Jurado / Valencia: Raúl Albiol, Montoro, Mata for Sunny, David Villa, Vicente.

Goals:
1-0. 28. Agüero. Turned ball into empty net after Hildebrand dropped Perea cross.

Atlético Madrid moved above Espanyol and Villarreal to third in the table after a 1-0 victory over Valencia in the last match on Sunday evening. Visiting keeper Timo Hildebrand went from hero to villain in a few minutes, making top class saves from Raúl García and Agüero and then dropping Perea's cross at the feet of Agúero allowing him to score on the half hour mark.

The Valencia keeper redeemed himself in part with saves from Arizmendi, Forlán and Agüero either side of half time, and Agüero and Raúl García both went close soon after the restart. Koeman threw on Zigic at half time though, and the tall striker almost levelled it, shooting against the bar and heading against the post, and Eller cleared a last minute effort from Helguera off the line with the keeper beaten. Atlético held on to win though, and Koeman's side ended the weekend five points away from the European spots.