Éderson’s brilliant finish wasn’t enough for Atalanta at the Mestalla, as the Nerazzurri lost 2-1 to Valencia in the 50th edition of the Naranja Trophy.
The host got off to a strong start as Lino and Soler immediately tested Musso, but Muriel also took a couple of free-kicks that threatened Valencia. In the 25th minute, a cross from Musah was deflected off Toloi and the ricochet bounced off the crossbar. Hugo Duro broke the deadlock on 43 minutes with a back-heel flick from close range.
The equaliser arrived eight minutes into the second half through Éderson, who scored an actual beauty by hooking a Koopmeiners cross, turning a defender and beating the goalkeeper with a fierce right-foot shot into the top corner. Valencia reacted to it through Soler, who ran into the box but couldn’t get the finish, Lino, who tested Musso, and Thierry, who was denied by de Roon. Musso did well to turn Soler’s angled drive wide in the 78th minute. However, Valencia restored their lead on 81 minutes with a great header from Hugo Duro. That was the decisive goal of the match.
VALENCIA 2-1 ATALANTA
Scorers: Hugo Duro 43, 81 (V), Éderson 53 (A)
Valencia: Mamardashvili, Thierry, Comert (Cristhian 76), Diakhaby, Gayà (Vazquez 65), Castillejo (Fran Perez 69), Musah, Hugo Guillamon, Lino (Foulquier 65), Soler, Hugo Duro. Bench: Domenech, Rivero, Lato, Racic, Koba, Manu Vallejo, Facu, Yellu, Tiago. Coach: Gennaro Gattuso.
Atalanta: Musso, Toloi (Djimsiti 81), Okoli, de Roon, Hateboer (Zortea 76), Scalvini (Pašalić 46), Éderson (Boga 81), Mæhle (Ruggeri 90), Koopmeiners, Zapata (Miranchuk 81), Muriel (Malinovskyi 46). Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Freuler. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referee: Peter Bankes (assistants: Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh, fourth official: Tony Harrington).