Valencia escape as Koeman sees red
ZARAGOZA, Spain — Under-pressure manager Ronald Koeman was sent to the stands before his struggling Valencia side battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw away to Real Zaragoza on Saturday.
Valencia had lost four of their last five matches, and seemed set for another defeat after goalkeeper Juan Luis Mora suffered a nightmare first half.
Mora, promoted to the starting line-up for the first time since the 2005-06 season after Koeman axed veteran Santiago Canizares, conceded a penalty in the 16th minute when he brought down Ricardo Oliveira.
The resulting kick was delayed while Zaragoza replaced their own keeper, the injured Cesar, with Lopez Vallejo. But top scorer Diego Milito stepped up to put the home side ahead.
Mora was also at fault after half an hour when he flapped helplessly at a cross by Sergio Garcia and diverted into his own net, while former Valencia striker Oliveira had a headed effort ruled out for a foul just before half-time.
Koeman brought on defender Ivan Helguera and towering striker Nikola Zigic after the interval, but the Dutchman was sent off in the 58th minute after losing his temper.
Milito fluffed a great chance to make it 3-0 in the 75th minute, and Valencia hit back immediately as Serbia’s Zigic used his height to head past Vallejo from a left-wing cross to score the club’s first goal in five league matches.
And Valencia leveled seven minutes later with a superb solo effort from David Silva, who collected a pass from Joaquin and waltzed past Robert Ayala before lashing a left-foot shot into the far corner.
The visitors had a chance to win in time added on, but striker Angel Javier Arizmendi hit the post and Vallejo parried the follow-up.
The result kept Valencia in seventh place, on goal difference behind Racing Santander — who were crushed 4-1 at Sevilla in the late game.
Striker Fredi Kanoute put the hosts ahead from close range in the 25th minute, but defender Ezequiel Garay leveled with a header from a Jorge Lopez corner four minutes after half-time.
Substitute forward Javier Chevanton made it 2-1 on 66 minutes from outside the penalty area before Jesus Navas and Brazilian Adriano sealed Sevilla’s victory with late goals after Garay was sent off for a second booking 12 minutes from time.
In Saturday’s other match, Getafe moved up to 10th place with a 2-0 win at Almeria.
Defender Lucas Licht put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute with a left-foot shot from Manu Del Moral’s cross and Ruben de la Red’s header wrapped up the victory with four minutes to go to leave Getafe behind Mallorca and Zaragoza on goal difference on 21 points.
Meanwhile, the highlight of Sunday’s matches is the first ‘El Classico’ clash of the season between leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
Barca will be without injured Argentina forward Lionel Messi, but France striker Thierry Henry is expected to make his comeback after a month out with back and pelvic problems.
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