2006–07 Valencia CF season

Valencia made significant changes for the season, with coach Quique Sánchez Flores and technical director Amedeo Carboni overhauling the squad. Players who did not fit in the current playing system, such as Marco Di Vaio, Bernardo Corradi, Pablo Aimar, Rufete, and Mista, were some of those who were sold, while Fábio Aurélio signed for Liverpool (reuniting with former Valencia manager Rafael Benítez) after refusing an extension to his contract. To strengthen the squad, Valencia signed Joaquin, Asier del Horno, Fernando Morientes and Francesco Tavano, as well as recalling David Silva and Jaime Gavilán from loan spells, and promoting several youngsters from the Valencia B squad. The club's transfer activity was not wholly successful, however: the club failed in an attempt to sign Benfica winger Simão, while veteran defender Roberto Ayala expressed his desire to sign for rivals Villarreal.

Valencia started the season strongly, winning their first three Champions League matches, against Olympiacos, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk. The team qualified to pass on to the next round in a 2–2 draw against Shaktar on Matchday Four. On 15 December, Valencia were drawn to play against Italian champions Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the first leg scheduled to take place on 21 February. In La Liga, Valencia started the season with victories against Real Betis, Atlético Madrid, Getafe and Gimnàstic de Tarragona, along with a creditable draw with reigning Liga champions Barcelona. As of 1 October, Valencia were second, behind Barcelona on goal difference. However, they went through a slump in November which caused them to slip up in the league. The first of six winless matches started with a 1–0 defeat to Racing de Santander. This poor run was attributed to injuries to key players like captain David Albelda, midfielder Rubén Baraja, wingers Jaime Gavilán and Vicente, defenders Carlos Marchena and Asier del Horno and forward Francesco Tavano. Despite all these worries, the team is made a strong comeback, winning their last three matches before the winter break (against Deportivo de La Coruña, Real Zaragoza and Mallorca).

Squad at end of season[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Santiago Cañizares 2 DF Miguel 3 DF Asier del Horno 4 DF Roberto Ayala 5 DF Carlos Marchena 6 MF David Albelda (captain) 7 FW David Villa 8 MF Rubén Baraja 9 FW Fernando Morientes 10 FW Miguel Ángel Angulo 11 MF Mario Regueiro 13 GK Juan Luis Mora 14 MF Vicente 15 MF Joaquín 16 MF Hugo Viana 17 DF David Navarro 18 MF Jorge López 19 MF Jaime Gavilán 20 MF Raúl Albiol

No. Position Player 21 MF David Silva 22 MF Edu 23 DF Curro Torres 24 DF Emiliano Moretti 25 GK Ludovic Butelle 26 DF Cerra 27 MF Pablo Hernández 28 MF Natxo Insa 29 DF David Córcoles 30 MF Aarón 31 MF Miguel Pallardó 32 DF Cristian Castells 33 DF Berna 34 FW Javi Guerra 35 GK Vicente Guaita 36 MF Ángel Montoro 37 DF Álex Vaquero 38 MF Vicente Romero 39 MF Carles

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 12 MF Stefano Fiore (on loan to Torino)

No. Position Player 12 FW Francesco Tavano (on loan to Roma)