Valencia Preview

Real entertains a downtroden Valencia side at the Bernabeu Sunday 2pm eastern time. To say this is an easy win is an under statement, but then again out easy run of games in February ended with a few losses. Valencia are a side that we demolished 5-0 at the Mestalla just after Quique Sanchez Flores was dismissed, and they have not been the same team since. I think it is also an under statement to say Koeman has done a terrible job so far, his radical changes bringing nothing but chaos. Valencia president Juan Soler stepped down last week, and Albelda, Canizares and Angulo are still bannished from the first team. Valencia also are eying the drop zone carefully, as if the ground could open up and swallow them into the bWIN Liga next year.

I find relegation highly unlikely, but the club is in turmoil none the less. They have a huge game against Barca today, contesting the Copa del Rey semifinal. Valencia’s season depends on this game, so all effort goes towards them winning against Barca at the Mestalla. That being said, it seems like they will be a little tired no matter the result when they come to Madrid, so I am hoping we put another rape party on them. A win against Barca may boost their morale, but their legs will surely not recover in time. But who knows?

For extensive yet sorrowful coverage of Valencia, check out Cesar’s excellent blog. I am sure he will pay us a visit to discuss his teams chances of a victory.

Real Team News:

As for Real, we have had midweeks off for awhile now, with our early exit to Mallorca and Roma, and should have no fatigue problems. But injuries we seem to be accumulating like baseball cards. Ruud is out 6 weeks after his surgery on the ole ankle, while Guti took a heavy knock in training yesterday from a Gago challenge and it appeared he would be out for awhile, but he looks like he will make the Valencia game if the swelling subsides. Also, Raul has been training by himself lately which is never a good sign, but he should also be ready for Valencia. Robben continues his recovery schedule, although there is no time table for a return yet.

Metzelder remains out, with a end of the season cameo possible. The rest of the squad is healthy, but our big guy is out so the remainder of the season we will be leaning on Soldado, Higuain and Saviola scoring goals for us. I know, we may need some vodoo witch craft to make it to the end as champs. Here is my projected lineup:

———–Casillas————-
Sergio—Pepe—Cana—Heinze
Guti—Diarra—Gago—Robinho
——-Raul—-Higuain———

It brings so much dismay to my face when I pencil in Heinze at left back, seeing as how Marcelo or Torres is a much better option. Why oh why do we have this clown on our team? The midfield is gonna look pretty ordinary, as to combat the 4-3-3 that Koeman is playing, and I would be surprised to see Baptista in their for Higuain to start at all. Ole Bernadine has no balls so he will look to first shut down Valencia then attack. Koeman’s 4-3-3 present a unique challenge though, how do you manage that. With such a weak left back in Heinze and an offensive one in Sergio Ramos, the midfield will be expecting to cover wider positions. But then midfield three of Maduro, Banega and probably Silva will have more room centrally.

What to do what to do. Well with Sergio Ramos having to contain Arizmendi or Mata, Heinze on Joaquin (eeek not good) and Pepe/Canna marshalling Villa, look for Diarra to follow Silva where ever he goes, meaning Gago will then look to break up any interplay between Banega and Maduro. If Baptista is deployed instead of Higuain, then he will harry Maduro when he has the ball. Higuain could be expected to do the same with a lesser effectiveness. The key is to keep Guti away from Maduro or Banega, both will be marking him out of the game. But if Gago and Diarra can get Guti in behind, then the game is won, because the back four of Valencia are shakey this year. Raul and his partner need only take a shot and watch Hildebrand fumble it into his own net.

Robinho is gonan be expected to draw the attention of Maduro as well, hopefully a double team on Robinho will spread the central midfield out more, as I doubt Miguel will be able to handle him on his own. Leaving the right open for Sergio Ramos’ movement will put pressure on Caniera/Moretti, whoever plays there, which is good. spread Valencia is the best way to beat them. My hope is Guti starts on the bench and Drenthe or Balboa or Higuain be wide right in a 4-4-2 with Baptista partnering Raul. It will spread the field but not sacrifice anything centrally. Guti would be a good sub if the tactics arent working, but his recent starting performances tend to point to he needs a sub role to get back into his game.

Valencia Team News:

I have already named a few players I think will start for Valencia, but it all depends on how they come out of the Barca Copa del Rey matchup. Ruben Baraja is back in the team now, as is Morientes and Ivan Helguera, two former Real players. Also, Koeman could throw out a trump card like Sunny in the middle or a 4-4-2 with Villa and Morientes up front and Silva and Joaquin out wide still. Vicente is of course injured, what else is new, and Nicola Nigic is out in the cold sorta like the other three Valencians.

You do not know what your getting with the Valencian, its a crap shoot.

I am cuttin this post short because I am very busy. I will predict a 3-0 win for us, and thats about all. Tune in on Sunday for Steves liveblog, and as always, HALA MADRID!

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News, Tag Index

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