A 10th minute goal from Silva, courtesy of mistakes from Gelson Fernandes and Kasper Schmeichel, was enough to see the Thomas Cook Trophy winging its way back to the Costa del Azahar.
The Blues did hit the bar twice but were never able to dominate the Champions League hopefuls who left their superstar David Villa on the bench.
Even so Eriksson was far from downcast.
"We matched Valencia, one of the best teams in Europe. I thought we played as well as they did and created more chances than them," he observed though the pace of the game was hardly that of a full-blooded encounter.
"We had five new players out there, two of them have not played for us at all in pre-season and don't speak English, so if you take that into consideration then it was good."
Legion
Eriksson played former youth team midfielders Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson from the start and then confirmed that the pair have bright City futures despite the arrival of a foreign legion.
"Of course they will play a big part in our season they are home-grown players who have great talent. They are young and they will go on improving," he declared.
Ireland and Johnson were, in truth, two of the better performers in a game played at a slow tempo.
One of the lessons learned was surely that skipper Richard Dunne needs to shift to the right side of the central pairing. Although adaptable he is clearly less effective and not as happy on the left and he is such a vital member of the team that it is daft to water down his effectiveness.
Eriksson must also introduce some steel to complement the silk in his engine room. Elano, Geovanni, Johnson and Ireland all look fine when City are in possession but are not quite as good when the side doesn't have the ball and that is presumably where Mark Bresciano will fit in when he signs from Palermo.
Valencia won the game when Silva slotted into an empty net after Schmeichel had parried a cross shot from Joaquin though the Spaniards had Gelson Fernandes to thank initially after he carelessly gave the ball away.
Italian Rolando Bianchi, at £9m the most costly of the imports, followed suit four minutes later with a flicked header from Elano's delicious, pinpoint cross.
Bianchi continued to catch the eye with the runs he made, the space he found and holding the ball up, but has yet to find his scoring touch which is a little more worrying. He missed from half a dozen yards in this game having done something similar at Shrewsbury in midweek.
He drops deep a fair amount of the time and it is not clear that playing Ireland or a midfielder in the hole behind him is a great idea. Eriksson could do with Emile Mpenza to get fit sooner rather than later or Valeri Bojinov to prove prolific.
Too often last year, the Blues were undone by only having one up front and a too many repeats are not part of Doctor Thaksin's prescription for his new club.
Champion
Before their favourites twice rattled the bar Blues fans had to find other things to get verbally excited about. There was a standing ovation for an unusually animated Eriksson who bowed theatrically to his new fans and there was much joshing with boxing world champion Ricky Hatton who sat in the stand and waved enthusiastically as home fans told him he was a little overweight and dared him to `come and have a go if you're hard enough!'
The minutes before half-time were spent teasing the Valencia subs by putting their movements to music as they warmed up - something the visitors took in good heart as they smiled and waved at the south stand choir.
The manager was delighted with the atmosphere generated and his reception.
"It was fantastic," he declared. "I'm very happy and I want to say a big thank you to all the fans that came to the game. It was a nice welcome and gave me a good feeling in my heart.
"Everyone that saw the game could see that we have brought good players to the club. They are young, hungry, want to play in the Premier League and they will be good for the club."
CITY: (4-4-1-1) Schmeichel, Onuoha (Sun 62), Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Elano (Geovanni 46), Johnson (Hamann 73), Fernandes (Corradi 73), Petrov, Ireland, Bianchi.
VALENCIA: Canizares, Caneira, Moretti, Albiol, Marchena, Albelda, Joaquin, Baraja, Angulo, Silva, Gavilan.
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Went to the game Saturday and have to say was impressed!!! We actually passed the ball about on the floor!! Couldn't believe it!!! Ok it was a friendly!! But remember this is a new team which is going to take time to get used to playing together but to play ok against a team like Valencia (I know a friendly!!) but is very encouraging!! I thought Ireland and Johnson were excellent (was it me or did Johnson look like he's grown!!) Think we will struggle a little early on but can't wait for November December time!!! REALLY GOT A GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS TEAM!! Ha ha read in a sports pullout at weekend and somebody tipped us for the FA cup!!! COME ON WOULD ANYBODY HAVE THOUGHT THAT IN MAY!!!!!!!!
The writer is clearly anti City. It doesn't matter what City ever do these people will always find a way to be negative about our team.
I will add to my last post that the writer is prejudice from the start.... it is the same.
We are City. We are Blue. So you will write everything about us into a negative.
Doubt the thought police will allow this post.
Sorry Blue in Spain......that was pretty much the be all and end all. Fernandes did give it away and if Casper had gone for the stop instead of a parry, which he has admitted, we might have felt better in the second half and sneaked it.. But over all it was an OK performance. Draw win draw in the first three would be a dream start.
Enjoyed the game, although from some of the fans sitting near me, I think they thought we were playing Altrincham and not a very good team in Valencia. I wish moaners would stay away, especially unknowledgable moaners who were judging the new players after 1 bad touch. My summary of performance.
Kasper - Kicking was excellent apart from 1 kick, but gave a confident alround display
Onouha - Calm and composed, and didnt get much support in first half. Needs to work on his throw ins though
Richards - Strong as an Ox -steady performance and should get some goals this season with the delivery we now possess.
Dunne - Same as usual from HMS Dunne
Garrido - Seems confident on the ball and useful debut
Elano - looked a bit rusty which is understandible - linked up well with Ireland and Johnson and looks like he will open up alot of defences this season
Johnson - Star Performance - played with great confidence, and good shooting with both feet
Fernandez - Yes he made a mistake which led to the goal, but I thought he worked hard and definately seems a decent player
Ireland - suprised to see him supporting Rolandhino with his banana boots and hair weave, but I thought his link up play and intelligence were excellent.
Petrov - Bit of a frustrating afternoon, maybe he was trying too hard to impress - but impress this season he will, puts in a fantastic whipped cross, which will definately see us scoring more goals.
Rolandhino - the italian worked hard on his own up front - challenged for everything and some good link up play. Unlucky when hit bar, and dont crucify him for his other miss, it was spinning viciously and he lost his balance.
subs
Geovanni - very neat and tidy, reminded me of bernabia!!
Corradi - with decent service will score goals, but didnt have too much time to make a difference.
Hammann - Always guarantees a late tackle, but will be a useful squad player as has the experience.
Sun - Some decent runs down the right, but no more than squad player
All in all, I am looking forward to future especially when the team gel
I either miss typed or the thought police edited my last post. I was trying to say the sports writing about City is the same concept as racism. There is prejudice before they start.
Tosh..I understand if you clearly took my post a an insult as the typed word never smiles. It was just humour to express I felt your assesment was harsh. No offence intended. I would people to read most of my posts in the style of any character of your choosing from Life Of Brian.
As for that Farrar fella..you got to be a rag surely?
Does anybody know of a national newspaper that is fair about City?
I have cancelled all my paper orders and subscriptions as am sick of reading bias twaddle written by rags
Watched the game on the net. passing, trying to keep the ball longer than two passes, people passing to Blues shirts, some great crosses, flair, indivdual ability, pace and penetration. With all the above to improve dramatically with every game why on earth is anyone anything other than hugely excited with what is to come. For a first game with so much change gone on I was impressed. C'mon you Blues.
Thanks bluesoapopera. Enjoyable analysis.
COME ON CITY!!!!
I had to watch game on the web as we had family visiting this weekend and I couldn't get up to the COMS. I obviously watched a totally different game from this reporter. I can't believe how biased these two MUEN match reports are, or the doom mongers who unfortunately proliferate on this site egged on by the nonsensical reporting. I am critical of the teams performance when needed but this negativity has the danger of becoming self fulfilling.
Half the team had never played together before!
Two don't even speak any English!
At least one player was probably still jet lagged!
They had less than one week to work any sort of system out!
Dunnie was forced to play out of position!
We lost the first two choices of GK!
It was Valencia not some mickey mouse team!
It was worth the money just to watch Johnson compete and star against one of the best teams in Europe!
I think there has to be a conscious decision for all blues to stand together and show two fingers to the Media who are determined to run Frank and Sven out of town. In the process the Media don't care a stuff if they damage our team or supporters.
Lets get behind the Team, Sven and staff, and Frank. The good times will come. Full stop
O'FORTUNA,I TOTALLY AGREE.I READ THE OBSERVER,WHICH,IN MY OPINION WAS A FAIRLY UNBIASED PAPER,BUT,LATELY I CAN HARDLY BELEIVE WHAT I AM READING!! IT SEEMS THAT WHEN WE ARE A COMPLETE SHAMBLES WITH A JOKE MANAGER THAT WE ARE EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE TEAM,BUT,GIVE US SOME MONEY AND A DECENT MANAGER THEN WE BECOME PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE! CAN I ALSO ASK WHY WHEN THE PRESS TALK ABOUT ROONEY OR RONALDO THEY DON'T MENTION MASSAGE PARLOURS OR DIVING? I EVEN SAW 2 ARTICLES OVER THE WEEKEND DISCUSSING TEVEZ'S HAIRCUT AND ROONEY'S SHAVED CHEST!! GIVE ME STRENGH!! I KNOW I SHOULDN'T BE BOTHERED,BUT,SLAGGING THE CLUB OFF THAT I LOVE SO MUCH WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION REAALLY PEES ME OFF!! WE'RE NOT BITTER,YOU ARE!! CTID
Here's my take on the game. Interesting to compare with Bluesoperas.
Schmeichel: very indecisive at times, unlucky with goal
Garrido: Look good at times, not at others.
Dunne: Looked uncomfortable on the left Richards: Did OK but hoofed ball upfield on a number of occasions when more measured pass available
Nedum: Had a very torrid time against a real class winger
Petrov: Disappointed. Seemed to lack the pace everyone talks about
Johnson: Great game until tired Fernandes: Made crucial mistake that led to goal. Bags of energy and commitment and definitely one for the future (as Sven said)
Elano: Was he playing?
Bianchi: Unlucky not to score. People criticize his miss but ball was spinning wildly.Danger that fans will get on his case too quick.
Ireland: Lots of deft flicks and backheels but what is the use if they end up at the opposition's feet. Overall a good game but would have been even better if he kept it simple
Geovanni: Showed some nice touches. I imagine he will be brought in matches to change things around rather than starting them.
Corradi: No comment!
Hamman: Gordon Bennett!
Sun: Why do people get at him. Didn't do anything wrong and looked better than Nedum.
Overall opinion -this is not the side that will start against West Ham but will struggle at first particularly in view of early fixtures. Most important that fans remain patient and get behind the players - already signs of that patience not extending beyond one 90 minute friendly!
bluesoapopera, Blackley Manchester - I was at the game and agree with your review completely. I think Chris Bailey's review is harsh. Kasper's 'mistake' wasn't really that either, just a parry. Valencia were breathtaking at times though so it isn't a bad result. I'm just a little worried it may take 5 or 10 games for us settle people in which is not idea.
O Fortuna - Chris Bailey is a blue. But I agree with your point about the anti-City bias in the media. I think we'll have to get used to it.
The article was spot on about the mistake as well , it happened right below me in th East stand. Fernanades did make a dreadful pass and Kaspar should have either caught it or turned it round. I'm not having a go though. Fernandes impressed me, he's just a bit young and green yet.
No doubt we'll see a few mistakes like this during the early season. It's bound to happen when you put a team together from scratch.
Lessons from the match -
Put Dunnie back in his natural position.
We need a keeper.
Bianchi needs another striker with him. (likes to be mobile and come deep)
We need to play Ireland OR Johnson. Neither tackle well enough to play together in the centre.
Richards looks better at right back than in the centre.
Corradi is still pants.
I went to the game and i thought we were unlucky not to get a positive result against Valencia.
I agree with those posting here that there was more creativity and it seemed as if the players were willing to try different things.
I also think that with more time togehter and a bit more sharpness the goals should go in.
As for Fernades yes he was at fault for the goal but apart from that I thought he had an excelent game in the defensive midfield role.
i was at the game on saturday, Fernandes looks like he could be real quality, fit strong and quick, little bit sloppy on the ball at time - took a few touches too many at times but im sure thats just because he is not used to playing at this standard. liked the look of Bianchi as well, think he could be the 15-20 goals a season man we need
saw the game on viasat sport and thought that we did fine. petrov tried too much. onuoha comfortable, richards cool as always. garrido can run forward and nice with the ball. clearly as good as ball. what a back four we can have! 19, 20 and 22 years old. and with corluka at 21...wow! elano will be a creator, geovanni looked lively and skillful. johnson outstanding! ireland bad first half, better second. fernandes good despite the misstake. got in there and fights! much to build on with this squad. cant wait for mpenza to be fit again. and with young guns waiting to impress in bojinov and sturridge it looks great for the future.
Went to the game and wish to make the following complaint which may 'open' some closed eyes...
One of the best passing/attacking teams in Europe too often would not give us the ball back!
Agree with some other comments as posted. Cannot remember seeing Garrido win a header and thought he had a bit of a chasing but 'see comments above about one of best passing...blah, blah..'
Geo reminded me of Ali B when he came on both in stature and the fact that he kept coming back to pick ball up of D and R.
Pleasingly/worryingly the fact that we now possess players who pass to a blue shirt did highlight some of Richards and Dunne's long punts/hoofs upfield but then they are there to defend not split the opposition wide open.
Overall, good news and once they've met each other more than twice should look good for the future.
I said in response to the match report posted yesterday that i felt many of the match reports i had read where very negative.
I am not sure what people expected from saturdays game. I was just looking for potential, and for the new signings to put in some good performances.
With regards to the new signings, whoever it was who asked if Elano was even playing, its worth considering that between the end of the copa america and that game he had done nothing football related apart from 2 training sessions with city. Its fair to say he was always going to look off the pace and it might be a month or two before we see the best of him. What i did see of Elano was a player with a fantastic touch who looks confident wit the ball at his feet.
Same with Garrido, not sure why people have said he looked shaky, I thought he looked fantastic down the left with Petrov.
Anyways, as i said yesterday, my squad for west ham would look nothing like yesterdays and more like this:
Keeper (dunno yet)
Richards, Dunne, Corluka, Garrido
Geovanni, Fernandes, Johnson, Petrov
Bianchi, Bojinov
What becomes of Ball and Mpenza this season? They have both signed new contracts in the summer - we are getting some decent strength in depth for once.
Wonder when Sven will let Dickov and others leave? January? or just release them from their contract?
I can't wait to see a City team that can string more than two passes together, with attack from both flanks and a potent strike force. Bring it Sven...
Bluesoapopera: Pretty much agree with your comments. I think we'll see some erratic performances until things settle down, but hey, jump on and enjoy the ride. Oh, and another thing, Mervyn Day from West Ham was quoted this morning saying that they can't really prepare to play us at the weekend as they have NO IDEA who'll be playing for us, or how we'll line up. This could just work to our advantage in the first few weeks, y'never know...
So we didn`t beat a champions league team with players that have only met each other about four times..... mmm. Am I right in saying that the Valencia side have been playing together for a few years with the same manager? I think even a Manchester United supporter might be able to work this one out. Keep going Sven!
While the players are getting to know each other and gel I think it would be sensible to play Geovani and Elano together in midfield as they will have excellent understanding and communication.
As for the gelling bit I think off field matters are the bigger hurdle..different country/food/people/colleagues etc These signings have enough class to gel quite quickly on the field once they are settled living wise.
I thought Petrov looked stunning I really did..Garrido too worked with him very well.
We will hand out some spankings this season and NO club will look at us and think "3 points" before they play us.
I'm amazed that anybody can make value judgements on players and the team from mixed up pre season friendlies, against weak opposition or in the case of Valencia playing in first gear.The fans have the advantage over Sven in that
we have seen our insitu players in PREMIERSHIP action and we know who is good enough and what does not work i.e Onouha at full back, Sun in the back four and Ireland in any position on the field.If Sven goes back to these failed solutions it we be even harder to win football matches.I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting our team to be hard to beat and robust not flicky tricky losers.