Bursaspor were given a rude awakening in the UEFA Champions League as they lost 4-0 to Valencia.
Costa's wonder-goal helps Spaniards to three easy points
Bursaspor were given a rude awakening from their UEFA Champions League dream as they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Valencia at the Ataturk Stadium in their opening match of Group C.
The Turkish champions were making their debut in the competition, but there was to be no celebration in Istanbul as Tino Costa, Aritz Aduriz, Pablo Hernandez and Roberto Soldado earned their visitors a comfortable three points.
Valencia, who finished third in La Liga last season, arrived in Turkey amid questions regarding their credentials following the summer departures of star duo David Villa and David Silva.
But Unai Emery's side responded in perfect style with an almost faultless performance of counter-attacking on a European away day, as they moved to the top of their group in the wake of the draw between Manchester United and Rangers.
Pace and purpose
Ertugrul Saglam's Bursaspor had posed the early threat, with Leonel Nunez heading an excellent chance from a corner straight at Valencia goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez in the fifth minute.
However, Nunez's failure to capitalise proved costly. In the 16th minute Valencia took the lead when Costa unleashed a venomous 25-yard, left-footed effort that left Dimitar Ivankov in the home goal with no chance.
Valencia, two-time Champions League runners-up, were passing the ball with pace and purpose and Joaquin should have done better with a header when his team were on top.
Bursaspor remained a minor threat from set-pieces, but they found themselves two goals behind in the 41st minute when long-range specialist Costa curled a delightful free-kick against a post and Aduriz nodded in the rebound.
Naive
Things could have got worse for the hosts before half-time, but Pablo Hernandez only slightly misjudged the trajectory of a delicate chip over Ivankov, as the ball ricocheted away off the crossbar.
Bursaspor came out with intent after half-time and after a swift counter-attack substitute Turgay Bahadir thought he had a tap-in, before Costa displayed that he also has a defensive string to his bow with a last-gasp tackle.
Valencia regained their superiority, and naive defending from Bursaspor was punished by Pablo in the 68th minute as the Spain international toe-poked into the back of the net.
Emery's men were not content with their three-goal lead and with a quarter-of-an-hour left on the clock substitute Soldado applied the finishing touch to a rapid break.
Valencia were able to see out the remained of the match in comfort, but they will be well aware that sterner tests await in the shape of SPL champions Rangers and Premier League giants United.
| Bursaspor |
Team Statistics |
Valencia |
| 0 |
Goals |
4 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 0 |
Blocked Shots |
8 |
| 9 |
Corners |
10 |
| 13 |
Fouls |
11 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 83.8 |
Passing Success |
84 |
| 16 |
Tackles |
17 |
| 81.2 |
Tackles Success |
76.5 |
| 45.9 |
Possession |
54.1 |
| 50.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
49.8 |
|
