Valencia's Baraja outjumps Scholl of Bayern

Few fans had predicted the fireworks of the previous week's Uefa Cup final, yet the game burst immediately into life in a sensational start.

Just 80 seconds were on the clock when Valencia were awarded a dubious penalty.

Good work down the Munich left by John Carew set up Mendieta, but the Valencia captain scuffed his first attempt and then saw his chance of slotting home the rebound blocked by the prostrate Patrik Andersson.

Andersson then found himself pinned to the ground in action more suited to rugby than football and the defender was unlucky to concede a penalty as the ball was wedged up against his arm by the inrushing Mendieta.

Mendieta gratefully stepped forward to slot home the spot kick and give Valencia the early lead all the neutrals wanted.

The usually conservative Germans were immediately forced to come out of their shells and they looked to have forced an instant response when referee Dick Jol awarded a second penalty on seven minutes.

Mendieta slots home from the penalty spot

Effenberg looked to have knocked the ball too far ahead of him as he looked to go round Jocelyn Angloma, but the defender took the bait and pulled down the rampaging midfielder.

Valencia were furious when Jol instantly pointed to the spot, but relieved as Mehmet Scholl saw his tame spot kick blocked by the alert Santiago Canizares.

Undeterred, Bayern continued to pile on the pressure and were dominant from that point.

Something had to give; Valencia had never won a game in Italy, yet boasted the best defensive record in the competition.

Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld upped the stakes in his bid to dent the latter record as he threw on striker Carsten Jancker in place of wing back Willie Sagnol at half time.

The switch paid instant dividends as Bayern levelled from yet another spot kick.

Again there was an air of controversy as Bayern were awarded their second penalty of the game, Jancker appearing to push Carboni and force the defender to handle.

Hector Cuper urges calm from his Valencia players

Valencia, just as they had done to Scholl, attempted to distract Effenberg as he waited to take the kick, but the captain was unruffled and calmly sent Canizares the wrong way from the spot.

Other than spot kicks, the game offered up few chances until the final minutes of a tense game.

Valencia substitute Miroslav Djukic was denied by the alert Oliver Kahn late on then, two minutes into stoppage time, Jancker fizzed a long-range shot just wide.

Yet, somehow, the game seemed destined to be decided by spot kicks.