Penalty king Alves propels Valencia

Valencia moved eleven points clear of the relegation zone with a Diego Alves penalty save inspiring them to a 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

The Brazilian shot-stopper made his 24th penalty save from 50 penalties faced in La Liga in the eighth minute to thwart Faycal Fajr before defenders Ezequiel Garay and Joao Cancelo found the net, along with a Raul Albentosa own goal.

The 31-year-old goalkeeper has previously of denied some of the world's best penalty specialists, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Diego Costa, Antoine Griezmann, Carlos Bacca and Carlos Vela.

Two successive defeats have plunged Pepe Mel’s side back towards the relegation battle after previous victories over Barcelona and Sporting Gijon, with Wednesday night’s clash with Granada seemingly crucial in the relegation run-in.

Valencia, meanwhile, host Celta Vigo on Thursday night as Coach Voro – in place in the Valencia hotseat until the end of the campaign – will aim to continue his side’s recent resurgence in form.

Tags Diego Alves
La Liga - Club News