Valencia slump contiues with Zaragoza draw

Title hopefuls Valencia dropped two more points in a disappointing 1-1 home draw against 10-man Real Zaragoza Saturday with a performance that inspired little confidence ahead of a vital Champions League clash with Rangers.

Valencia have fallen to successive defeats to Barcelona and Real Mallorca and this draw against winless Zaragoza leaves them fourth, three points behind pacesetters Real Madrid who also have a game in hand.

Zaragoza’s Italian defender Maurizio Lanzaro put his side into a shock two minute lead but undid the good work on 42 minutes when a mix-up with goalkeeper Antonio Doblas saw him put through his own net for Valencia’s equaliser.

Visitors Zaragoza were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes when midfielder Ander Herrera, only on as a second half substitute, was given a straight red card for a challenge on Juan Mata.

Even with the extra man Valencia could not find the goal they craved and Zaragoza could even have snatched the win late on.

Valencia coach Unai Emery must now pysche his team up for Tuesday’s Champions League group match at home to Rangers with one point separating the two teams in Group C.

Zaragoza will be happy with the point at a tough ground such as the Mestalla and it lifts them off the foot of the table at Deportivo La Coruna’s expense.

League leaders Real Madrid, a point above Barcelona and Villarreal, have a chance to extend their lead at the summit when they travel to promoted Hercules later Saturday.

Real have scored 16 goals in their last three league matches but will be wary of Hercules who have already caused the upset of the season so far by defeating Barcelona 2-0 at Camp Nou.

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has scored eight goals in his last three league matches and drew praise from coach and compatriot Jose Mourinho.

“I think he (Ronaldo) is a great team player. We are in October, he has played and won with Portugal. He has played and won with Real Madrid,” said Mourinho.

“I didn’t know him personally before coming here and what I see is a team player, who cares about winning. He has had an incredible month because the teams are winning and I see that he wants to carry on like that.”

Champions Barcelona host Sevilla at Camp Nou in Saturday?s late match hoping to keep pace with unbeaten Real and Sevilla old boys Seydou Keita, Dani Alves and Adriano will all hope to face their former employer.

Barcelona have not been at their best this season but goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes things are moving in the right direction.

“We?ve had a few blips, but it’s nothing more than that,” said Valdes. “We are back on the right track now, both in terms of results and how we are playing.

“Sevilla had some poor results at the start of the season, but with the new manager there’s been a change in philosophy and they will be very tough, with strong players up front.”

Elsewhere, second-placed Villarreal, one point behind Real Madrid, are unbeaten in their last seven league matches and travel to Sporting Gijon on Sunday.