Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Valencia

Champions League hopefuls Valencia were held to a disappointing draw at Rayo Vallecano in an exciting yet goalless Primera Division opener in Vallecas.Nuno Espirito Santo's side had the better of the first half and came within inches of grabbing an injury-time winner when former Rayo striker Alvaro Negredo's powerful effort was tipped away by the excellent Tono.Rayo made a typically intense start to the game but Valencia looked dangerous every time they came forward on the counter-attack.Rodrigo de Paul was denied by Tono's legs after being played in by Negredo, and the stopper had to reach out again a few minutes later to punch away a shot from Santi Mina, while later in the half Pablo Piatti skewed wide.Rayo had few openings in the first half, with debutant Patrick Ebert forcing a save from Matt Ryan and Manucho denied a clear shot at goal due to a vital tackle by Shkodran Mustafi.Paco Jemez's side were more dangerous in the second half and squandered two golden chances to take an unlikely lead. Manucho arrived at the far post unchallenged ready to meet a low cross but slipped just as he was about to pull the trigger, and then Ebert narrowly failed to connect with another low cross from the right.Rayo's good work was almost undone at the death by former Vallecas favourite Negredo, but Tono was again up to the task.