MAXWEL CORNET AND Alexandre Lacazette ruined Gary Neville’s debut as Valencia coach by firing Lyon to a 2-0 win at the Mestalla on Wednesday to end the Liga side’s Champions League ambitions.
Valencia still had a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the competition in Neville’s first game in charge after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo last week, but had to beat Lyon and hope Gent dropped points against Zenit.
They made an encouraging start to the match and Shkodran Mustafi came close to gifting his side lead twice in the opening stages of the game, even seeing a goal disallowed for an alleged foul.
Their European dreams were dealt a major blow, though, when Cornet opened the scoring with a stunning shot in the top corner.
Lyon continued to threaten on the counter-attack in the remainder of the game and eventually got a second when Lacazette found the net with a calm finish late in the second half.
Valencia now join Man United, Tottenham and Liverpool in the knock-out stages of the Europa League, with the draw for the last 32 taking place on Monday.
Would be United’s luck to draw them and get put out
They’re destined to meet id say
Europa League is probably a good option for Valencia right now. They would’ve been outclassed in the Champions League if not in the Last 16 then in the Quarters. The Europa League should provide them with a good challenge and with a little investment and good coaching they may go on to do very well in the tournament.
Best of luck to them.
Sure with Gent beating Zenit it wouldn’t of mattered if they won or not. I wouldn’t read into it too much
Needs to take off the corporate suit and wear a team tracksuit on the sideline
Totally agree, that would make his team play better and win more games without a doubt…… NOT
Most manager in the champions lesgue wear suits. .
One game in charge and has Valencia in Europa league, it’s taken Van Gal a year and half to get UTD in.
Couldn’t have gone through even if they won. Still a bad result though