Morientes: defeat tremendously disappointing

IN terms of the UEFA Champions League Fernando Morientes has pretty much seen and done it all.

He has three winners’ medals, one souvenir of losing to José Mourinho’s Porto with Monaco and even a squad place with Liverpool as an ineligible player during that incredible night in Istanbul two years ago.

This time he thought he had paid Mourinho back for that 2004 final heartbreak. The Spaniard led the Valencia front line bravely despite being short of full fitness, hit the post before scoring what looked temptingly like the crucial goal and left his heart and soul on the Mestalla pitch before departing to a huge ovation five minutes past the hour with the teams locked together at 1-1 on the night and 2-2 overall.