2006–07 Valencia CF season

During the 2006–07 Spanish football season, Valencia CF competed in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

Valencia CF
2006-07 season
ManagerQuique Sánchez Flores
StadiumMestalla Stadium
La Liga4th
Champions LeagueQuarter-finals
Copa del ReyRound of 16
Top goalscorerLeague:
David Villa (16)
All:
David Villa (20)

Overview

Valencia made significant changes for the season, with coach Quique Sánchez Flores and technical director Amedeo Carboni overhauling the squad. Players who did not fit in the current playing system, such as Marco Di Vaio, Bernardo Corradi, Pablo Aimar, Rufete, and Mista, were some of those who were sold, while Fábio Aurélio signed for Liverpool (reuniting with former Valencia manager Rafael Benítez) after refusing an extension to his contract. To strengthen the squad, Valencia signed Joaquin, Asier del Horno, Fernando Morientes and Francesco Tavano, as well as recalling David Silva and Jaime Gavilán from loan spells, and promoting several youngsters from the Valencia B squad. The club's transfer activity was not wholly successful, however: the club failed in an attempt to sign Benfica winger Simão, while veteran defender Roberto Ayala expressed his desire to sign for rivals Villarreal.

Valencia started the season strongly, winning their first three Champions League matches, against Olympiacos, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk. The team qualified to pass on to the next round in a 2–2 draw against Shaktar on Matchday Four. On 15 December, Valencia were drawn to play against Italian champions Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the first leg scheduled to take place on 21 February. In La Liga, Valencia started the season with victories against Real Betis, Atlético Madrid, Getafe and Gimnàstic de Tarragona, along with a creditable draw with reigning Liga champions Barcelona. As of 1 October, Valencia were second, behind Barcelona on goal difference. However, they went through a slump in November which caused them to slip up in the league. The first of six winless matches started with a 1–0 defeat to Racing de Santander. This poor run was attributed to injuries to key players like captain David Albelda, midfielder Rubén Baraja, wingers Jaime Gavilán and Vicente, defenders Carlos Marchena and Asier del Horno and forward Francesco Tavano. Despite all these worries, the team is made a strong comeback, winning their last three matches before the winter break (against Deportivo de La Coruña, Real Zaragoza and Mallorca).

Squad
Squad at end of season[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ESP Santiago Cañizares
2 DF  POR Miguel
3 DF  ESP Asier del Horno
4 DF  ARG Roberto Ayala
5 DF  ESP Carlos Marchena
6 MF  ESP David Albelda (captain)
7 FW  ESP David Villa
8 MF  ESP Rubén Baraja
9 FW  ESP Fernando Morientes
10 FW  ESP Miguel Ángel Angulo
11 MF  URU Mario Regueiro
13 GK  ESP Juan Luis Mora
14 MF  ESP Vicente
15 MF  ESP Joaquín
16 MF  POR Hugo Viana
17 DF  ESP David Navarro
18 MF  ESP Jorge López
19 MF  ESP Jaime Gavilán
20 MF  ESP Raúl Albiol
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF  ESP David Silva
22 MF  BRA Edu
23 DF  ESP Curro Torres
24 DF  ITA Emiliano Moretti
25 GK  FRA Ludovic Butelle
26 DF  ESP Cerra
27 MF  ESP Pablo Hernández
28 MF  ESP Natxo Insa
29 DF  ESP David Córcoles
30 MF  ESP Aarón
31 MF  ESP Miguel Pallardó
32 DF  ESP Cristian Castells
33 DF  ESP Berna
34 FW  ESP Javi Guerra
35 GK  ESP Vicente Guaita
36 MF  ESP Ángel Montoro
37 DF  ESP Álex Vaquero
38 MF  ESP Vicente Romero
39 MF  ESP Carles

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
12 MF  ITA Stefano Fiore (on loan to Torino)
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 FW  ITA Francesco Tavano (on loan to Roma)

Transfers

In

Out

Results

La Liga
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
2 Barcelona 38 22 10 6 78 33 +45 76[lower-alpha 1] Qualification for the Champions League group stage
3 Sevilla 38 21 8 9 64 35 +29 71 Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round
4 Valencia 38 20 6 12 57 42 +15 66
5 Villarreal 38 18 8 12 48 44 +4 62 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
6 Zaragoza 38 16 12 10 55 43 +12 60[lower-alpha 2]
Source: LFP
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals scored; 5th goal difference; 6th number of goals scored; 7th Fair-play points
Notes:
  1. RMA 2–0 BAR; BAR 3–3 RMA
  2. ATM 0–1 ZAR; ZAR 1–0 ATM

References
  1. http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/spain/2006-2007/laliga/valencia.htm
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