Away goals allow Valencia to play to their strengths

MADRID, Feb 22 (Reuters) Valencia's 2-2 draw away to Inter Milan in the Champions League first knockout round allows the Spaniards to play to their strengths when the Italians visit the Mestalla for the return leg on March 6.

Twice Valencia came from behind to level against the Serie A leaders, who have won 16 consecutive league matches, with David Silva's strike four minutes from time the most valuable yesterday.

''The important thing was to come away from this game still alive in the competition, and we have achieved that. We can be satisfied over a job well done,'' said coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

''It's a good result but the tie isn't over yet. Inter are strong whether they are playing at home or away.'' The difference for the return leg will be that the onus will be on Inter to go on the offensive. Valencia's preferred tactics are to sit back behind a well-ordered defence and to play on the break using the pace of their front players.

They showed those tactics to good effect just last Sunday when they beat the visiting European and Spanish champions Barcelona 2-1.

They have lost just once at home in the league this season when the side were in the middle of an injury crisis.

''The tie is still evenly balanced even though away goals count for double. It will be very difficult but the good thing is we don't have to chase the game in the return leg,'' the scorer of Valencia's first goal, David Villa, told reporters.

Midfielder David Albelda, who will be suspended for the second leg, said: ''A goalless draw or a 1-1 draw will put us though but we must go out looking for the win.

''We know what they are capable of. At times they don't look like they are doing much but they are always dangerous because of the players they have up front.'' REUTERS PM PM1649