Madrid, Oct 3 (IANS) Two goals from Valencia striker Jonas Goncalves were enough to give his side a deserved 2-0 win at home to Lille in the Champions League football tournament.
The Brazilian scored in each half to give hosts Valencia their first win of the group phase of the competition and to clear up doubts over their ability to qualify for the last 16 of the competition, reports Xinhua.
Valencia went into the match on the back of a defeat to Bayern Munich in their opening match and coach Mauricio Pellegrino played his strongest possible 11 with Roberto Soldado leading the line with Jonas in a deep striking role and Tino Costa partnering Fernando Gago in central midfield.
Sophaine Feghouli played on the right wing while Jose Guardado played on the left wing after being rested at the weekend and Vicente Guaita maintained his place in goal after a fine performance at the weekend.
Both sides had lost their opening match, which meant there was greater urgency and the home side should have taken the lead on eight minutes after Costa’s pass left Feghouli through on goal only for him to stab the ball wide of the Lille goal.
Valencia had more of the ball, but were struggling to make their possession count in the Lille half until the end of the half was closing in. After 39 minutes Jonas opened the scoring with a diagonal cross after good work from Soldado.
The goal came just as Lille were getting into the match and had made Guaita work through shots from Dmitri Payet and Florent Balmont.
The second half saw more of the same with the Spaniards looking to be the better side although Lille forced Guaita to work on occasions.
Jonas sealed the win with his second goal of the night after he scored from a Feghouli cross with more than a dose of fortune.
Lille’s chances ran out when Mathieu Debuchy was sent off close to the end of the game. The result means Valencia’s next match, which is at home to group leaders Bate Borisov will possibly decide whether or not they can qualify for the next phase.
