Valencia begin UEFA Cup defence with 2-0 win over Steaua
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-17 09:54

UEFA Cup holders Valencia began the defence of their title with a 2-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in the opening leg of their first knockout round tie at the Mestalla on Wednesday.

Valencia's Argentine player Pablo Aimar, second left, celebrates with his teammates Ruben Baraja, second right, Mohamed Sissoko, right, from France, and Marco Caneira, from Portugal after Aimar scored against Steaua during a first leg UEFA Cup soccer match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005. [AP]

A close-range strike from Italy forward Marco Di Vaio late in the first half and a cleverly placed free kick from Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar in the second put the Spanish champions in charge ahead of next week's return in Bucharest.

The victory will come as a relief to Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri, who has come under heavy pressure after his side effectively waved goodbye to their chances of retaining their domestic title with a five-match winless run in the league.

Valencia, one of eight third-placed teams to enter the UEFA Cup after exiting the Champions League, made a bright start against the visitors with striker Mista and Portuguese defender Marco Caneira both going close with early headers.

Di Vaio then hit the post midway through the half but it was Steaua who were denied the lead a few minutes later when keeper Andres Palop got his hand to a shot from Cristian Ciocoiu after the striker intercepted a poor back pass from Stefano Fiore.

Valencia eventually took the lead against the former European champions six minutes before the break when Di Vaio cracked home from eight metres after Caneira got his head to a Fiore corner.

Aimar doubled their advantage early in the second half when he caught goalkeeper Vasili Khomutovski out with a curling free kick from the edge of the area.

Steaua pushed hard for an away goal to keep the tie alive but their only clear chance came when striker Andrei Cristea skimmed the post after a loose ball had fallen into his path midway through the second half.

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