Valencia recorded a 3-1 victory over Monaco at the Mestalla to claim the advantage in the first leg of the Champions League qualifying tie this evening.
Mario Pasalic cancelled out Rodrigo's early opener to secure an away goal for Monaco, but Dani Parejo and Sofiane Feghouli both found the net to give Valencia a crucial advantage.
Below, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the key talking points from the match.
Match statistics
VALENCIA
Shots: 9
On target: 3
Possession: 51%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 15
MONACO
Shots: 13
On target: 4
Possession: 49%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 19
Was the result fair?
A 3-1 defeat certainly does not fairly reflect the way this entertaining match unfolded. Monaco enjoyed two long spells on top either side of the half-time interval, and they can certainly count themselves unlucky to be two goals behind in the tie ahead of the second leg. Leonardo Jardim's side were also denied a penalty just a couple of minutes before Parejo put Valencia ahead for the second time.
However, it was Valencia who took their chances by scoring with all three of the shots they had on target. On a different night, Monaco may have done enough to secure a draw but the visitors certainly paid the price for not capitalising when they were the better side in the match.
Valencia's performance
Nuno Espirito Santo's side offered glimpses of their brilliant best when Parejo was controlling the game from deep to bring the likes of Rodrigo and Feghouli into the match on a regular basis. It was a fantastic start to the night as Valencia attacked a vulnerable Monaco defence at pace, but they struggled to keep up the intensity over 90 minutes and were fortunate to concede just one goal.
It should come as a huge boost to Nuno that his team were able to record the win without being on top form. Their creative players drifted in and out of the game, but with a two-goal lead, Valencia should be confident about scoring at least once with a side that looks perfect for a counter-attacking approach in the second leg.
Monaco's performance
Jardim will be furious that he is returning to Monaco with such a mountain to climb in the tie. In truth, the visitors were punished for a sloppy start when some terrible marking allowed an unmarked Rodrigo to tap home from close range in just the fourth minute. Despite quickly improving at the other end of the pitch, Monaco often made their own problems at the back and a clinical Valencia side capitalised to take all three of their best chances.
Monaco did prove that they have the attack to worry the Valencia defence. Anthony Martial, in particular, was a thorn in the side of the hosts, and his pace and trickery will be key if they are to overturn the deficit next week. Jardim will point to the penalty which should have been given before Parejo's goal, and Monaco certainly have every right to feel aggrieved with the lack of a decision from the British officials. The Portuguese coach is likely to have been pleased with most of what he witnessed from his team, but he will certainly be lamenting the fact that they did not make the most of their long spells on top.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Dani Parejo: The midfielder is not a player who will steal many headlines over the course of the season, but his importance to Valencia is clear to see after victories such as this one. Parejo always kept his side ticking over with an impressive defensive display and excellent passing, and the captain's goal changed the momentum while Monaco were looking threatening at the other end.
Biggest gaffe
It would be too harsh to single out one individual who was at fault for Valencia's opener, so the entire Monaco defence get this honour this evening. In just the fourth minute of the match, the visitors lost focus and they paid the price as Feghouli somehow drifted into space to meet a cross at the back post. Paco Alcacer and Rodrigo were both left unmarked in front of an open goal, and the latter beat his teammate to the ball to break the deadlock with the easiest of finishes.
Referee performance
Mark Clattenburg was the man in the middle at the Mestalla, and despite reaching the break without a controversial decision, it soon became a night to forget for the English referee. Monaco should have been given a penalty when Jose Luis Gaya tripped Martial from behind, but somehow Clattenburg and the official behind the goal both missed the foul. He was also too quick to blow the whistle late on and perhaps should have dismissed Nabil Dirar, who kicked out at Gaya after picking up a booking a few minutes earlier.
What next?
Valencia: Nuno will be hopeful that this result is the perfect preparation for Saturday's La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano.
Monaco: Jardim's side continue their Ligue 1 campaign with a trip to Toulouse on Saturday, before hosting Valencia in the second leg next Tuesday.
Callum Mulvihill
