Invention the key for Valencia says coach Ranieri

Valencia coach Claudio Ranieri praised his forwards for an inventive display in their 2-0 win over Anderlecht in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Valencia, the UEFA Cup holders, were without a recognised centre-forward but goals from left-winger Vicente and midfielder Ruben Baraja clinched a commanding 2-0 win over the Belgian side in Group G.

"We played a good game," said the Italian, who chose Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar and midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo as his two forwards.

"I'm happy because we were up against a team that was very defensive, with an extra player at the back and with a marker on Aimar."

"We had to move things around a great deal to make space for Angulo and Vicente on the wings and we did that very well."

Anderlecht coach Hugo Broos accepted his team had been well beaten.

"I don't think we were timid or negative in our approach," Broos said. "Technically, Valencia were much better. You just had to look at the way they controlled the midfield."

"Simply put, there was nothing we could do about that and we had to go for the long ball."