Valencia go above Real, set to buy Kondogbia
VALENCIA moved up to third place in La Liga with a 3-1 home win over Alaves yesterday. The victory takes them two points above Real Madrid who play Girona on Sunday.
Valencia took the lead with a fine team goal on 19 minutes that culminated in Rodrigo Moreno converting Simone Zaza’s pass. Zaza then made it 2-0 on 33 minutes from Dani Parejo’s freekick. Ruben Sobrino pulled a goal back from Martin Aguirregabiria’s cross four minutes into the second half. But Valencia soon restored the two-goal advantage when Victor Laguardia put through his own net.
“We played very well, particularly in the first half,” said Rodrigo. Of his opening goal he added: “The manager always wants the forwards close together on the pitch and we combined very well. It was a good pass from Zaza.”
Alaves scorer Sobrino said: “We were up against one of the best teams in the league and it showed in the scoreline.”
There was more good news for Valencia fans when coach Marcelino appeared to confirm the club would permanently sign on-loan midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Serie A side Inter Milan at the end of the season.
Asked if he had asked the club if they would be paying the €25m (RM120m) to make his move permanent, Marcelino said: “I have not asked. I take it for granted. It is a question with only one answer.” – dpa