Old rivals renew acquaintances

As these two sides face one another for the third time in four years, Valencia CF will be hoping to finally conquer their Italian rivals, FC Internazionale Milano.

Away goals success
Inter have won both ties against the current Spanish champions in their two recent meetings in European club competitions, where a place in the semi-finals of either the UEFA Cup or the UEFA Champions League was at stake. Their most recent duel came in the 2002/03 Champions League, Inter winning the home leg at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium thanks to Christian Vieri's 14th-minute goal. And though Valencia would win at the Mestalla stadium, once Vieri had put the Italians ahead in the fifth minute, Rafael Benítez's side required three goals without reply to maintain their interest in the competition. Although Pablo Aimar gave the Spanish side some hope by scoring in the seventh minute before Rubén Baraja added a second six minutes into the second half, Inter held on for an away goals success.

Ventola winner in Valencia
Twelve months previously Inter qualified for the UEFA Cup semi-finals by winning in Valencia after the two sides shared two goals in Milan. Marco Materazzi scored for the home side five minutes into the second half only for Valencia to equalise after 68 minutes through Francisco Rufete. However, despite having a coveted away goal, Valencia lost their way at home as Nicola Ventola's fourth-minute effort proved sufficient for Inter's qualification. Although Inter overcame Valencia in successive seasons, they would end up facing the eventual winners of both the 2002/03 Champions League and the 2001/02 UEFA Cup at the semi-final stage as history shows AC Milan and Feyenoord emerging victorious.

Poor overall record
Despite their recent successes against Valencia, their victory at the Mestalla in the 2001/02 season was only Inter's second win in Spain at the eleventh time of asking, and the Italians have lost twice subsequently leaving an overall record of played 13, won two, drawn one and lost ten. Valencia have hosted Italian teams on seven occasions, winning and losing three times and drawing the remaining match.