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Mat Ryan shines in Valencia’s win over AS Monaco

Mat Ryan made some top-class saves against Valencia in the UEFA Champions League. (Photo by Paul Barkley/LookPro)
Roar Rookie
20th August, 2015
8

Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan shined in Valencia’s 3-1 win over Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League group stage qualification.

It only took Valencia three minutes to open the scoring, coming from a cross which allowed Sofiane Feghouli to head the ball back to Rodrigo who fired a shot into an open net.

A brilliant fingertip save from Mat Ryan in the 32nd minute saw Bernardo Sliva’s shot deflect onto the post.

Yet Monaco equalised when Anthony Martial’s 49th minute cross aimed at Ivan Cavaleiro was poorly cleared by Ruben Vezo. The ball fell perfectly for Mario Pasalic to score.

Moments later, Ryan parried away another shot from the visiting side, denying any more away goals.

Daniel Parejo put the home side back in front midway through the second half thanks to an excellent assist from Argentinian winger Pablo Piatti, who volleyed back to Parejo who saw his deflected shot nestle into the back of the net.

Ryan then made another crucial save, parrying away Pasalic’s header, to deny him a second time in the match.

Feghouli’s vital strike in the 86th minute sealed the deal for the home side, giving them a two-goal buffer into the next leg.

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Mat Ryan seems to be settled in his new home in Spain. If he keeps putting in performances like that, he could be Valencia’s new number one keeper.

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