24 May 2000
SUPER MAC INSPIRES REAL TO GLORIOUS WIN
Another tactical masterpiece by Vicente del Bosque as his Real Madrid side destroy Valencia with a fabulous display of football.
REAL MADRID 3-0 VALENCIA
The first real moment of danger arrived 15 minutes in, McManaman lifting the ball into the box for Anelka but Pellegrino made a tremendous tackle to
deny the moody Frenchman a shot. Valencia failed to clear the corner, Raul floated a perfect cross into the box but Canizares was equal to Anelka's
bullet header. This time from the corner Valencia launched one of their trademark counter attacks, Angulo, Claudio Lopez and Mendieta surged
upfield, Angulo to Lopez, Lopez to Mendieta with a deflected first time pass but he didn't get enough on the shot and Casillas easily saved.
Canizares made a superb low save to keep out McManaman's sweetly struck volley. Valencia were punished for failing to deal with a Roberto Carlos free
kick, after receiving a pass from Anelka, Salgado managed to lift a cross to the back post, despite pressure from Farinos and loosing his balance,
Morientes headed in unmarked at the back post. Angulo wasted a glorious opportunity due to a wretched first touch.
Djukic headed Roberto Carlos' throw-in straight to McManaman whose spectacular mid air volley flew past Canizares. Mendieta cushioned a cross
straight into Lopez's path but he failed to make contact with the ball. In a moment of supreme irony with Valencia committed forward Real Madrid or to
be more precise, Raul, suckered them on the counter attack, running the length of the pitch when put through by Savio, selling Canizares with the
Van Basten dummy and then slotting the ball into the net despite a desperate attempt by Djukic to clear. In a bizarre Tom & Jerry moment, McManaman was
sandwiched between Farinos and Kily Gonzales as they flew in with tackles he jumped in the air and they crashed into each other, priceless!
Redondo, Raul and McManaman indulged themselves with some outrageous displays of skill, epitomising that at times overwhelming confidence displayed
by Real Madrid in this match. They never believed they would lose.
Attendance : 78,000