Deportivo La Coruna took advantage of injury problems at champions Valencia to run-up a 3-0 win in the first leg of the season-opening Spanish Supercup.

All thegoals came in the first halfhour – from World Cup playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron, fellow midfielder Victor and Moroccan defender Nouredine Naybet.

Valencia were missing injured centre-back Miroslav Djukic and midfielders Kily Gonzalez and David Albelda.

The defeat did not augur well for Valencia’s league title defence. Coach Rafa Benitez is already concerned that the board has failed to respond to his request for a top-rate central defender.
By Keir Radnedge