2006–07 Valencia CF season

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

Left club during season

Transfers

In

• ESP Fernando Morientes – ENG Liverpool
• ESP David Silva – ESP Celta Vigo, loan return
• ESP Jaime Gavilán – ESP Getafe, loan return
• ITA Stefano Fiore – ITA Fiorentina, loan return
• ESP Javier Garrido Ramírez – ESP Albacete, loan return
• ESP Asier del Horno – ENG Chelsea
• ITA Francesco Tavano – ITA Empoli
• ESP Joaquín – ESP Real Betis

Out

• ITA Marco Di Vaio – FRA Monaco
• ITA Amedeo Carboni – retired
• BRA Fábio Aurélio – ENG Liverpool
• ESP José Enrique – ESP Villarreal
• URU Fabián Estoyanoff – ESP Deportivo, loan
• POR Marco Caneira – POR Sporting CP, loan
• ITA Bernardo Corradi – ENG Manchester City
• ESP Francisco Rufete – ESP Espanyol
• ESP Mista – ESP Atlético Madrid
• ARG Pablo Aimar – ESP Real Zaragoza
• ESP Javier Garrido – ESP Lorca Deportiva
• NED Patrick Kluivert – NED PSV
• ITA Stefano Fiore – ITA Torino

Results

La Liga

References

References

1. "FootballSquads - Valencia - 2006/07".