Valencia kick off Champions League with home defeat

Spanish side Valencia saw how their return to European action ended in disappointment as they were beaten 3-2 at home to Russian side, Zenit St Petersburg.

Back in the Champions League for after 3 years Valencia looked to get off to a flying start and hit the post through Joao Cancelo in just the second minute of the game.

However, the Spaniards fell behind in the 10th minute when Zenit' s experienced Brazilian striker Hulk opened the scoring with a powerful left-foot shot from inside the Valencia box.

Valencia pressed hard to get back on level terms and forced a series of corners, but were unable to trouble Zenit keeper, Juri Lodygin and Hulk doubled the visitors' lead just before halftime with another left foot shot following a set piece.

Valencia had a stroke of good fortune to get themselves back into the game when Alex Witsel deflected a corner into his own net 10 minutes after the break.

The home side were level with 17 minutes left in the game after key midfielder Andre Gomes showed his importance to the club when he scored a right foot shot after being set up by full back Jose Gaya.

The home fans had been visibly annoyed at halftime, but they were cheering now, although their celebrations lasted just three minutes before Witsel made up for his own goal when he put Zenit back ahead with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area leaving Valencia keeper Jaume Domenech stranded.

Alvaro Negredo had the chance to equalize from close range with just three minutes remaining, but his effort went agonizingly wide of the post.

Meanwhile Barcelona drew 1-1 away to Roma in a game where they controlled most of the ball, but saw Roma defender Alessandro Florenzi scored a magnificent goal from the halfway line to cancel out Luis Suarez' s opener for the Catalans, who lost Rafinha to a serious looking injury just two minutes after he had entered the game as a second half sub. Endi