Valencia CF's Champions League Last 16 first leg did not go according to play, with a 4-1 loss to Atalanta at San Siro. Denis Cheryshev's second half away goal gives the team a lifeline for the return leg at Mestalla.

Despite enjoying several chances against Atalanta away from home, Valencia CF fell to a 4-1 defeat on their travels in the Champions League Last 16. Two goals in each half for the Italian outfit put Albert Celades' side at a disadvantage, but they would be handed hope for a second leg turnaround by a valuable away goal from Denis Cheryshev.

The game got underway with chances from the off. Papu Gómez provided several chances for Atalanta, including a free kick that went off target, and Pasalic forced a save from Jaume Domenech after an attack through the middle.

VCF would settle things down, but on the quarter hour mark Atalanta found an opening. Papu ran down the left and connected with Hateboer at the back post, the Dutchman making it 1-0.

An equaliser nearly arrived through a quick set piece by Carlos Soler, played around the back off the defence for Ferran Torres to shoot towards the top corner. The rebound fell to José Luis Gayà, who hit his follow-up just off target.

Another close call from Gayà followed, going out with Eliaquim Mangala close to deflecting it in having joined the attack.

Atalanta struck again before the break, with a powerful Ilicic shot finding its way in. That took the score to 2-0 at the break at San Siro, where 2,300 Valencia CF fans had travelled to cheer on their team.

Soler had another opportunity upon the restart with a combination with Torres, again unable to finish off, whilst Torres would also set up Maxi Gómez for a shot that lacked precision.

Frueler increased the Atalanta advantage to 3-0 with a strike out of the reach of Doménech, switly followed by Hateboer getting the Serie A side's fourth.

Despite the setback, Cheryshev handed hope to Valencia CF with his excellent hit, on 66 minutes. The deficit is a big one for the second leg on March 10th, but the team will be attempting a comeback to comntinue their Champions League dream.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16

FIRST LEG

ATALANTA 4 VS. 1 VALENCIA CF

Atalanta BC: Gollini; Toloi, Palomino, Caldara (Zapata, 75’); Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pasalic (Tameze, 92’), Ilicic and ‘Papu’ Gómez (Malinovskyi, 80’).

Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Mangala, Diakhaby, Gayà, Kondogbia, Parejo, Ferran Torres, Carlos Soler, Guedes (Cheryshev, 64’) and Maxi Gómez (Gameiro, 72’).

Goals: 1-0 Hateboer m. 16; 2-0 Ilicic m. 41; 3-0 Freuler m. 57; 4-0 Hateboer, m. 62; 4-1 Cheryshev m. 66

Referee: Michael Oliver (England)

Stadium: San Siro (Att: 45,792)