Valencia gain the edge after Super Cup first leg

League champions and UEFA Cup winners Valencia took an important step towards lifting yet another trophy when they beat Real Zaragoza 1-0 away in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Saturday.

Midfielder Vicente, who was Valencia's outstanding player in their double-winning campaign, scored the goal with a perfectly struck free kick 17 minutes into the second half of the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spanish season.

It was King's Cup winners Zaragoza who had made the more ambitious start as they looked to go on the attack at every opportunity, but they were frustrated by a well-organised Valencia who gave a characteristically ferocious display in defence.

Valencia went close to taking the lead just before the break when forward Miguel Angel Angulo hit the bar with a dipping volley after a sharp first-time pass from midfielder Ruben Baraja.

But the deadlock was not broken until shortly after the hour mark when Valencia were awarded a free kick when defender Gabriel Milito brought down Angulo on the edge of the area.

Vicente stepped up and curled the ball around the wall and beyond the reach of keeper Luis Garcia into the far corner.

Scoring opportunities were few and far between for the remainder of the game but Zaragoza came within a whisker of stealing a late equaliser when midfielder Cani planted a 30-metre dipping drive on to the bar six minutes from time.

The second leg will be played at the Mestalla on Tuesday August 24 and Ranieri's side will then play Champions League winners Porto in the European Super Cup on Friday.