Valencia CF 1- 3 AS Roma

Don't panic is the message I would say.  A very disappointing result on a night at an almost full Mestalla hoping for a good show against Roma in the final rehearsal before the opening show against Monaco.  With a starting lineup which will be not too far removed from the team that will be competing in the Champions League.  Valencia began encouragingly and it was end to end football providing plenty of entertainment. However, against the run of play Gervinho hits both posts in a goalmouth scramble before new signing Salah taps it in.  Valencia were making chances and Cancelo should have scored when he made space for himself but screwed the ball wide, wasting a good opportunity. Roma went further ahead though when that man Gervinho again broke through and after some inter passing in front of goal Totti slotted home to make it 0.2  The goal was a major blow to the home side and was not really a true reflection on the overall play. On the half hour Feghouli made amends for an earlier bad miss by making the score 1.2 with a well taken goal.  He really deserved the goal for his efforts as he was having one of those games where we all know he is capable of.
Then it was Otamendi's turn to test Szczesny in the Roma goal with a blistering half volley but the keeper made a  great stop. De Paul also hits the crossbar as he so often does to show that it was not over yet.
The second half pace slowed and we should have been back in the game after Feghouli scores but the goal was ruled as offside.  To make things worse Roma went further ahead when Gervinho scored from a tight angle after a good run.  I have to say that Gervinho's performance on the night was the best individual display that I have seen at the Mestalla for years.  It was he who won the game for Roma almost on his own. Another late disallowed goal for Valencia did nothing to lighten the mood and with the many changes near the end the score remained the same.  Some good things to look back on were the number of chances we created and with more luck the score could have been different.
I have to say though that Roma looked a very big and strong team, very confident with the ball and that goes with the level of experience that runs through the team

My Conclusion:   Still lots of work to be done.  Maybe the return of Gomez will help the midfield but it may be too late for the Champions League by then.  Otamendi proves again his importance and I hope we do not have a situation with him leaving at the last minute when his clause is met. That is totally unfair, we need the squad sorted out now.  Even Man Utds manager Van Gaal this week has stated that players being able to leave after the season has begun is totally wrong and the transfer deadline should end before the seasons start.
As I said before, in my opinion this match was won by the power and strength of Gervinho, he was absolutely amazing on the night. Can we buy him.

PLAYER RATINGS
Ryan 6  maybe could have done a bit better on some of the goals but we will have to see how he does during the season. He is not Alves and it is a little unfair maybe to expect too much too soon.
Cancello 4  I have always spoken up for him in the past but tonight he was awful. He was getting stick from Mustafi and Fuego for just making the wrong decisions each time he had the ball. Definitely a night to forget from him.
Mustafi 7   Another solid performance even though the whole defence looked like they had just got back from their holidays, I am sure they will get it right soon.
Otamendi  7  Did what he does week in week out, always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Looked a little preoccupied though after all that has gone on recently and made a couple of errors that could have cost a goal but one player we have to keep at the club for sure.
Gaya  6   Not up to his usual high standard and had a quiet game.  Was forced back a lot by the Roma players.
Parejo 4  A really dreadful performance from the captain he did nothing and the game seemed to go on around him.  I hardly noticed him on the pitch for the first half hour.  He really needs to get himself involved and take command like he does when he is on form.
Feghouli 8  My man of the match for his efforts, his goal and his all round performance. One of the few bright spots of the team.  Could and should have had more goals.
De Paul  7  Has to be a starter each week now after at last being given a run in the team. Was unlucky when he hit the bar and had a really good game.
Perez  6.5  Really got involved tonight and made some telling tackles. I worry though each game about his aggression and liability to pick up cards.  I think he will be spending a lot of time in the stands watching this season unfortunately.
Rodrigo Moreno  6.5  had a lively game causing Roma a number of problems,  still seems to make bad decisions though at times.
Alcacer  5.5  Not one of his better night in the Valencia shirt.  He really has to make things happen more for himself rather than always waiting for the final pass that doesn't always come.
SUBS
Not on long enough to really comment on their performances.



VALENCIA: Ryan, Cancelo, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya, Parejo (Mina), Feghouli (Bakkali), De Paul (Piatti), Perez (Danilo Barbosa), Rodrigo (Javi Fuego), Alcacer (Negredo).

ROMA: Szczesny, Florenzi (Maicon), Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas (Castan), Torosidis (Cole), Pjanic (Ucan), De Rossi (Keita), Nainggolan, Salah (Ibarbo), Totti (Iturbe), Gervinho (Falque).