Rodrigo Moreno: Six years of good and bad at Valencia CF

Rodrigo Moreno who left Valencia CF last season for Leeds in the Premier league gave an interview with AS in which he referenced his time here at Valencia CF.

He told AS: "I had been with Valencia for a long time; three summers in which it seemed that I was leaving and then I was staying. The time had come to close a six-year stage, which I describe as very positive. And in that context appeared Leeds, the Premier… and the challenge of working with a coach like Marcelo Bielsa. That caught me a lot.

"The Premier is very attractive for its sporting and economic potential. Also, Leeds is a landmark. In terms of structure and infrastructure, it is an elite club at the level of others in which I have been (Benfica or Valencia). In addition to what I was telling you, my decision was influenced by the project they presented to me. Leeds approached the promotion like a new cycle.

"They were six very intense years in Valencia. For me and for all of us who live them. We had very good years and very bad years. I think I had nine coaches, six sports directors, three presidents… I needed to change and the club also wanted to enter a new stage. Many of us left that we had been there for a long time… and that's how it all happened.

"I needed a change of airs, in Valencia it was six very intense years, and the Leeds appeared; with a project, with the Premier, with Bielsa..."

But you will know how Marcellin is doing in Bilbao...

"Of course I do. I recognize that since Marce's been at Athletic... I've been at least more aware of their results. And I've seen some matches, like the Super Cup victory... I'm infinitely happy for him and his technical staff. I hope they do great in both Cup finals.

And how do you feel when you see Valencia fight to get away from the descent?

"It's a complicated season. I've been there for years and in similar situations. The club is in a complicated situation, a lot of instability. I hope the season ends in the best possible way, because I have many friends and a lot of affection for the club and its fond."

Javi Gracia's first post-match press conference

 Javi Gracia gave his first press conference after a competitive game following the Levante match. I thought it would be interesting to see what he said and what it tells us about the new guy. The video is here in Spanish. 

First, here's a translation of what he said:

(ASKED TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE GAME.)

"Yes, it is true that the game had different periods. I think the opponent started better, they dominated more in the first half. Despite that dominance and them being better with the ball as well, I think reaching the break with that 2-2 kept us in the game, also the result of the goal from set pieces and the effort that the team has made despite not being fluid and being unsettled. Then, in the second half, it is true that , little by little and without starting the half very well, we were growing and improving with the passing of the minutes. It was the work of everyone, those who started that the game matured well and those who entered, who were decisive in achieving the final result. Today's result is down to the whole squad of 23 and I think it has been reflected that way. I leave with good feelings in terms of the physical condition that allowed us to fight until the end, in a week where there have been many problems and many absences. But in spite of everything, I think we endured very well and we have managed to prevail in that section in which the two teams were already lacking strength ".

(NEW MIDFIELDER NEEDED?)

"I am very happy with the victory and I would like to highlight those who are there, those who have made this effort, more than the absences. I already spoke about it the other day about it and I prefer not to do it again. "

(ISN'T GUILLAMON BETTER PLAYING THE BALL OUT FROM THE BACK?)

"I agree that we were not fluid with the ball and that is why we conceded the first goal in the way we conceded it, right after we started. It is true that Guillamón gives us that, but each player has a series of virtues but when choosing the eleven or balanced teams, I try to find what I think is best for all phases of the game, not just for the start playing out from the back. Without wanting to detract from the player, I think he is a very valid option and that he will show it throughout the season. But it is the first game, I think those who have participated have done very well and I want to share this victory with all of them."

(THE NEED FOR REINFORCEMENTS?)

"Today's result does not change the team's requirements. The situation is the same, it is what it is, but it is true that it shows us that the players we have, despite their youth, are capable of competing in the First Division. Cases like Yunus Musah, who made his debut the way he did at 17. The case of Vicente Esquerdo, starting for the first time in a league match and competing at the level that he has done. That makes us see that we have our virtues in this squad. Now, the analysis we have made of it from my point of view, I think they have already been done and I think it is not good for anyone to be constantly repeating it, especially after a game like the one we played today. "

(YUNUS MUSAH STARTING THE GAME)

"I think that, of course, the credit for what players like Yunus do, belongs to the player himself. There is the maturity of a player. Despite his youth, he has shown unusual maturity and, enduring the time he has been on the field, with the level of demand that he has done, it is something to be applauded and we need to take care of him so that he, in the future, continues to grow and contributes much more to Valencia ".

(DEFENSIVE ERRORS)

"I think the result should not hide the things that we did wrong. I think that, defensively and especially in that first half, we were very fragile and very weak, which we weren't in friendly matches. I didn't feel that was an issue in training. Therefore, it is something to study, to continue working on and to try to ensure that in the next matches it does not happen to us. I hope we will score four goals in all games, but it will be difficult. We have to try to be a team that concedes less, I already said it in my presentation ".

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Overall, I'm impressed with his first press conference after a La Liga game. He seems to read the game well. It's particularly good that he doesn't try to pretend that everything is okay. Admitting weaknesses is a sign of strength. Many previous managers (Celades, Marcelino, Pako etc) would usually not admit their faults in the press conference. Regarding potential signings, he realises he has made his point and therefore wisely is not going to push it. It's early days with Gracia but the sensations so far are positive. 

Lastly and on another topic, I finally got around to updating my spreadsheets, which cover appearances, goals, subs and cards for the period from 2015 to present. Here is the link.

The reason Soldado left...

As Soldado was waiting for his plane to arrive to take him to England where he will play for Tottenham, he gave an interview which I found interesting. In this interview, Soldado explains vaguely why he left the club. After thanking everyone (fans, teammates, the club, staff) and wishing them luck Soldado said the following:

"The reason for my departure is that I do not trust the project. The president has said many lies, to me personally by phone the times I talked to him. I think there should be normalcy and stability and I have not had. "

Soldado then called the club president, Salvo, a liar and blasted him for "leaking information". Soldado continues by saying:

 "You have published many things. I think it is your fault because you leaked it and that has done much harm to me, my agent, my family ...I'm hurt that you could have done everything as clearly as possible, with sincerity, and he has not told the truth in many things. "

Finally Soldado surprisingly says that he did not want to leave by saying:

"Every time I said I wanted to stay at Valencia I've said so because I believed it at the time, but in football things change from one day to another. I apologize because I committed to fulfill my contract on many occasions but on the way I have crossed a stone (Salvo) in which I do not believe, as you do not believe in something it's best to stay away if possible. "

The club immediately hit back and said that Soldado was upset because the transfer was made more difficult than it should've been but they felt like they were entitled to keep their best player. This doesn't address any of the accusations. The president was not available for response though. 

As to the specific reason, Soldado said:

 "I will not give specific reasons why I'm hurt because no benefit. I do not want to hurt anybody. " Then, however, he added: "I hope I'm wrong and this president will mark an epoch and is the one that wins titles with Valencia, I have to wish good luck to him and to valencianismo because together is very strong and I and my family are going to have this club in my heart. "

So, if you want to blame anyone for Soldado's departure, its the president, according to Soldado. I tried to dig up a specific reason but it could have something to do with a court case Soldado was involved in recently, I'm not too sure though. Anyway, I was quite upset while reading this news. To think that our best player lost faith and left because of the president. It really is a shame.

AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

Interview with Derek from atleticofans.com

Hey everyone, I've interviewed Derek from www.atleticofans.com and he is a Atletico Madrid supporter over 6 years. He is also the creator of the website above and writes primarily reports and news about Atletico Madrid.

• How long have you been a supporter of Atletico Madrid and what prompted you to become one?
 I've been following Atleti since they started their recovery from their two years in hell, the only seasons the club spent in Spain’s lower division. Around that time a new star was emerging, Fernando Torres, and it was his potential that caught my eye. I soon started watching Atlético’s games and realized it wasn't the player that made this team interesting to watch, it was actually the fans and the fantastic atmosphere at the stadium that had me hooked. Atleti were awful at the time, it was another couple years before we actually started playing in European competition again, but I became a fan.

• Are you a fan of any other clubs? 
As a Dutchman, I’ll root for any Dutch club in European competition and I am very fanatical when Oranje play the big tournaments. But while I love to watch a lot of football, Atleti is the only club that excites me.

• How long have you been writing about Atletico Madrid? 
I made a lot of e-friends on English language online forums such as Tiki-Taka.org and I became serious about writing about my beloved Atleti when we started the AtléticoFans-project. Our website www.AtleticoFans.com was launched in August 2010.

• Last season Atletico Madrid finished 5th in La Liga, but won the Europe League, what was your reaction and were the objectives met last season? 
Finishing 5th in la Liga and losing a Champions League spot to Málaga in the last round was definitely disappointing, but obviously the Europa League title made up for a lot. There are no words to describe winning a major European trophy like that. We were at the same position just two years prior, but last season’s win was even more impressive because we swept Athletic Club after winning 12 straight games in the tournament. In 2010 we were fortunate to win the Europa League, last May we thoroughly deserved it. I was able to attend both games and I promise you, there’s no better feeling than seeing your team win a big final like that.

• Atletico Madrid has a very good start to the season, not just in La Liga, but winning the UEFA Super Cup, do you feel this will carry on throughout the season? 
Right now we’re on a high and, as fans, we hope to enjoy our current run as long we can. We’ve just won a very tough away game at Betis and we’re now unbeaten in 7 games, but there’s going to be a point where the streak ends. Hopefully that won’t be for a while though!

• How does this season’s Atletico Madrid team compare to last season’s and what are the key differences?
On paper we haven’t improved. We lost good players like Domínguez and Salvio, while only cheap squad players were signed. It’s telling that we only spent a grand total of €1m this summer. But we actually are a better team, and all that is down to the Cholo factor. We've had a full pre-season with Diego Simeone in charge and he’s been able to work with his players, shape his team and to instill his tactics. After coming in during last season, we’re now profiting from a good season preparation with Simeone as our coach.

• Radamel Falcao has been really amazing last season and this as well, are you worried you might lose him to a big club this winter or next summer transfer window, certainly his father fancies other clubs. 
It’s on my mind every time he scores, and as you know that happens often. With every goal that he scores, and with every goal that Torres does not score at Chelsea, I feel like a transfer is closer. Unfortunately big clubs like Atlético and Valencia are unable to hang on to their star players in today’s market, but hopefully we can at least keep him in Madrid until the end of the season. A transfer in January would be absolutely disastrous for our ambitions.

• Who would you say is Atletico Madrid’s most influential player and the weakest player?
Falcao is our most important player, but as mentioned before, the most influential person at the club is easily Diego Simeone. He’s transformed the team and created a cohesive and combative unit, in which there are no obvious flaws or weak links. Our biggest problem might not be in the first eleven, but with the bench, we’re a bit thin both offensively and defensively.

• Who is going to be Atletico Madrid’s key player this season?
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• What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of your team this season?
Our biggest strength must be the players’ mentality and toughness. That, coupled with the individual ability of some of our forwards, makes us a dangerous team. So far this season we have conceded a high amount of goals, and that, along with the aforementioned weaker bench, could be our downfall this season.

• Any young players to watch out for that could be on a “break-out year”? 
Koke has been with the first team since the 2010/11 season, but it seems that he has now earned a spot in the starting line-up and this could be the season that he really makes a mark for himself.

• Can Atletico Madrid win this season’s Europe League again, what would be the biggest obstacles in doing so and what about the Spanish cup?
 The Europa League winner is more difficult to predict than the Champions League, because there are so many contenders and once the knock-out rounds start any team can go all the way. Atleti is definitely one of the favourites, but there are plenty of strong teams. At this moment I don’t think the Copa del Rey will be a priority, but you never know how far we might advance.

• How good do you think Valencia will do this season? Is it feasible to think that Valencia could win the Spanish championship or at least challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid? 
Atlético and Valencia, along with Málaga and possibly Sevilla, will rival each other for a spot behind the big two. Don’t let Real Madrid’s poor start fool you; there is no way any team will keep up with them and Barça.

• What do you think are Valencia’s strengths and weaknesses? 
I find it difficult to judge Valencia, as you’ve just started a new project with Pellegrino in charge. I think your defence is suspect, but what [I] admire about Valencia is their depth in midfield and in attack. There are a lot of good players to choose from and always plenty of good options coming off the bench. Hopefully for Valencia Éver Banega will soon return to full fitness, because, to me, he and Soldado are what sets Valencia apart.

• Who do you think will win the Champions League and Europa League this season? 
Let’s see if we can get a Spanish double. Ever the optimist, I’ll go for Barcelona and Atlético!

I'd like to thank Derek again for taking the time to answer my questions, I really appreciate it and once again you can find Derek's articles about Atletico Madrid over at www.atleticofans.com

Interview with Corey from realmadridfootballblog

Hey everyone, I've interviewed Corey from www.realmadridfootballblog.com and he is a Real Madrid supporter for about 12 years. He is also the creator of the website above and along with few other people write primarily reports and editorials about Real Madrid.

• How long have you been a supporter of Real Madrid and what prompted you to become one?
I have been a supporter for twelve years now, and what prompted me to be a supporter is a combination of the first ever live soccer game I saw on television between Real Madrid and Valencia in the Champions League final, and the first soccer game I got for the Playstation, FIFA 2002 where I chose Real Madrid to play as because I saw that game. As an impressionable 12 year old I was quite taken with the white uniforms, star players and huge stadium. As I got a little older I started my research on the club and after reading as much as I could it further cemented that I was a Madridista. I started blogging about Real Madrid five years, which is a whole other story.

• Are you a fan of any other clubs?
I enjoy teams that play the brand of football I subscribe too. Borussia Dortmund and Lyon have always had a soft spot in my heart as they were both strong and attractive clubs right around the time I became a supporter of Real Madrid. Luckily Dortmund has returned to that tradition, while Lyon is in a transitional phase. It is interesting because Lyon in the 2000s looked like Dortmund in the 1990s, so with the resurgence of Dortmund due to sound financial management and a focus on the youth team, Lyon may surprise people again in a few years.

• How long have you been writing about Real Madrid?
Five years, first at the Offside (now defunct) before it was bought up by a sports blog conglomerate. I launch Real Madrid Football Blog a year and a half ago and I think it has been a great success and a whole lot of fun

• Last season Real Madrid won the Spanish League after a noteworthy pause, what was your reaction and what do you think were the key reasons for it?
My first reaction was one of joy, as it had been a frustrating drought, especially when the title goes to Barcelona. My second reaction, as most Madridista’s probably had, was to think of La Decima. Finally, I settled on the fact that Mourinho’s tenure has been stable, has produced titles, and is slowly but surely giving chances to academy players, while making necessary but not totally extravagant signings. Overall I am satisfied, but once we get more youth team players in the squad and reach La Decima I will be overjoyed.

• Real Madrid had a rather bad start to the season, with only 1 point out of 2 matches, though after the Super Cup win they seem to have bounced up. Was this just a rare temporary hiccup or are there more deep underlying problems?
I watched both games, and the Valencia game was close and a point given the difficult rival and the newness of the season seemed fine. The Getafe lose was tough to stomach, but they always ride us close at their stadium, and the team looked a little short on ideas. Mourinho’s substitutions did not help, but it happens. We did not start last season well either but we recovered. I would rather hammer out the kinks now than when the Champions League group stage begins and we have two tough games per week.

• How does this season’s Real Madrid team compare to last season’s and what are the key differences?
The key difference is Modric, but the Ronaldo drama may prove otherwise. Loosing Granero was a bit of a blow, and if Modric is used further forward there is still the issue of giving rest to Xabi Alonso. The defence looks settled, as does the rest of the team, but Mourinho seems to think the creativity of Ozil can often be subdued in certain types of games so he has another type of player to help with the heavy load. I think the team is stronger, but I would have liked to have kept Carvajal as backup to Arbeloa, who is an obvious weak spot, and hopefully Morata, Nacho and Alex will see some time.

• Kaka and more recently Cristiano Ronaldo seem to have some problems with the club, what would you say the reasons for this are and what are the solutions?
I think in Kaka’s case, his body never recovered from his knee injuries in the same way Ronaldo Fenomeno never fully recovered his physical prowess after his multiple knee injuries. Ronaldo Fenomeno was able to still be productive for a few more seasons, but in Kaka’s instance, he came in to a difficult situation where he was not the main player the team was built around, nor was he a guaranteed starter. To me he has failed to psychologically get passed this, and his performances have wavered between tolerable and awful. It is not easy when your coach is not 100% behind you and the fans get on you, but his flirting with moves away has not helped. I never saw the need for both Kaka and Cristiano, so if we were to offload Kaka it would not bother me.

Cristiano’s situation is odd, but I do think he will get the pay increase he wants and surely warrants. Not sure what the wait is, but there is some deception from the agent at hand I am sure, and the complicated nature of his contract may be hard to sort out, much like how Kaka’s move to Milan was not feasible due to tax concerns. It is obvious Cristiano is the most important member of the team, so give him what he wants.

• Real Madrid has two great strikers in Benzema and Higuain, who would you say should be the starter?
Higuain, as he has proven time and again he can get the job done, but there are situations where Benzema’s movement off the ball and link up with others is more useful. His finishing is still not what it should be, but the nice thing is that there is truly room for both.

• Do you think RM sold/released too many players this transfer season and lack depth now and what are the alternatives to Ronaldo, Ozil, Xabi and Arbeloa?
I was hoping they would hold on to Granero, and moving Lass to Anzhi and bringing in Essien seems like a downgrade to me. Carvalho is technically out of the picture as well, while as I said earlier, Carvajal could have been a real asset. Arbeloa’s alternative looks to be Nacho, while Ozil will share time with Modric, and hopefully Modric fills in for Xabi as well. Ronaldo does not really need an alternative, but using Benzema or Di Maria there is adequate coverage. More will be expected from Callejon if that situation arises. Not sure where Essien fits in given Khedira is a much better player at this point in their respective careers, and Kaka is an outsider as well.

• Who would you say is Real Madrid’s most influential player and the weakest player?
Our weakest player is probably Arbeloa, but he is a hell of a competitor and really boosts team morale being as vocal as he is. Pepe’s penchant for full blooded challenges makes him a weakness as well, while I do think Xabi’s powers are declining and that is of concern. The most influential player has to be Cristiano, but Xabi makes the team tick so he should be considered influential and Saint Iker is a living legend at this point.

• Who is going to be Real Madrid’s key player this season?
Tough to say given the early season issues with Ronaldo. I would like to see more starts and goals out of both Higuain and Di Maria, while Sergio Ramos continues to be a rock at the back.

• What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of your team this season?
Strength wise the attack is just as sharp and the addition of Modric adds another dimension. A weakness would be the lack of variation in central midfielder amongst the players, and the right back situation is tricky, while Albiol does not instill confidence as a backup anymore.

• Any young players to watch out for that could be on a “break-out year”?
Morata is practically a first team player at this point so he could have a break out year, while Nacho is fourth choice center back at this point. If the situation arises, several Castilla players could get call ups to fill out the squad, but I think Jese has star power along with Morata. I would hope Raul De Tomas and Jose Rodriguez get some time training with the first team as they both look like tidy players.

• Can Real Madrid win this season’s Champions League, what would be the biggest obstacles in doing so and what about the Spanish cup?
I think that give the group we have drawn, it will be very difficult. But if Real can survive the group, they should be mentally prepared to go all the way. The beauty of the Champions League is that you face the best teams of Europe on the way to becoming champion. That has not always been the case, but this year that is how Real Madrid will start its campaign. The Spanish Cup I think will once again become a low priority, and I would like to see some Castilla players get time in these games once again. But it is a trophy up for grabs and will not be taken to lightly!

• How good do you think Valencia will do this season? Is it feasible to think that Valencia could win the Spanish championship or at least challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid?
It depends how you view ‘challenging’ Real and Barcelona. I have plenty of doubts about Pellegrino, who has very little experience, but Valencia has a good squad and played both Barca and Real close early in the season. Valencia usually has trouble keeping pace through the winter months, and with a Champions League campaign to also consider, I fear the same will happen again. The squad is deep as usual, but often the depth is not trusted.

• What do you think are Valencia’s strengths and weaknesses?
Depth is certainly one, and they have quality in all of their lines. Victor Ruiz has improved since joining from Napoli and I expect a national team spot for him soon. Rami is physically strong but also error prone, while the midfield and forward lines are of high quality. There are several players to name, but Soldado, Feghouli and Jonas certainly stand out, while Banega returning will be a big boost. I do not rate Fernando Gago at all, but he may be an upgrade over the aging Albelda, and Guardado will cover his flank well.

In terms of a weakness I would say the full backs, particularly Mathieu and Cissokho on the left are prone to errors and questionable attitude, probably why Guardado was required as he will shield them well. However Joao Perreria looks to be a very solid player on the right, a huge upgrade over Miguel and Bruno from seasons past.

• Who do you think will win the Champions League and Europa League this season?
The Champions League to me will be between Real Madrid and Juventus. I think Barcelona will come up a little short given Tito Villanova’s lack of experience here, although in the league Barcelona will be stronger than last year. Juventus looks incredibly strong this season even without their head coach being able to sit on the bench, while a dark horse could be Bayern Munich as they always do well in this competition.

The Europa League is impossible to predict and I cannot with certainty say who would win it, but I would say there are some teams with great pedigree like Lyon, Inter Milan, Sporting and PSV that have done well in the competition before. Besides that group, Anzhi, Napoli, and last year’s finalists Atletico and Athletic will be in the mix as well, and although I do not rate them, Liverpool are a big side for this competition. With so many teams in the mix you would be wise to wait until the first knockout round to pick a winner, its just to unpredictable.

I'd like to thank Corey again for taking the time to answer my questions, I really apreciate it and once again you can find Corey's articles about Real Madrid at www.realmadridfootballblog.com

Interview with Aaron from Barca Blaugranes website

Hey everyone, I've interviewed Aaron from http://www.barcablaugranes.com/ and he is a Barcelona supporter since around 2006. He is the manager there and along with several other people write news, articles and reports about Barcelona.

• How long have you been a supporter of Barcelona and what prompted you to become one?
Well, I caught my first Barcelona match back in February 2006 when they faced off against Chelsea in the Champions League. I was young at the time, and over the past decade or so the Premier League has become so mercenary, so to watch these guys, eleven players that appeared to be playing football not to win, not for money, but to enjoy themselves, it was so refreshing. There was something amateurish about their play that was so appealing, especially in these matches against Chelsea and as youngster; you are always drawn to the star names. Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Deco; Barcelona had the star names and as time progressed I found myself watching more and more Barcelona matches, reading about their history and their youth teams, until at some stage I guess I became a “real” fan!

• Are you a fan of any other clubs?
The mighty Colchester United, who are currently (and I fear always will be) plying their trade in League One after a couple of brief, but glorious seasons in the Championship.

• How long have you been writing about Barcelona?
It’s got to be approaching two years now; I started out in 2010 knowing little about blogging and I was lucky enough to join Barca Blaugranes within a few months and somehow I have been then pretty much ever since.

• Last season Barcelona lost the Spanish title to Real Madrid, what do you think were the key reasons for this?
Well, where to begin? Squad depth was a major factor, accentuated by injuries as Barcelona had to turn to the B team for replacements when David Villa broke his leg at the Club World Cup. Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello were excellent, but when your rivals have the likes of Kaka and Higuain in reserve, it’s hard to compete. Both mental and physical exhaustion played their parts as well, especially away from home where the Blaugrana really struggled to keep up with Mourinho’s juggernaut. But let’s not take anything away from Real Madrid; they played a virtually perfect season from Jornada 6 onwards.

• How does this season’s Barcelona team compare to last season’s and what are the key differences?
In terms of personnel, very little has changed. Obviously we bought Jordi Alba from you guys, at an absolute bargain price, Alex Song was brought in from Arsenal and most importantly, El Guaje is back. We all know that Villa is a fabulous player, and his return is arguably the key difference as Lionel Messi often lacked goal-scoring support from his teammates in the latter stages of last season. Tactically, Sergio Busquets has been told to pressure higher up the field and so far, it hasn’t really worked as well as Tito might have hoped, while Messi tends to drop a little deeper which is frustrating a few Culés. Other than that, it’s the same-old style of play with the same-old weaknesses.

• Barcelona lost the Super Cup to Real Madrid, what are your thoughts about this?
It was a tough defeat, and it will be interesting to see how Barcelona recover on Sunday against such difficult opposition. Personally, I think the Super Cup was a huge opportunity to really put some pressure on Jose Mourinho, and in relinquishing the first-leg lead, Barcelona might find that the momentum has shifted back in Madrid’s favour. Watching Real Madrid celebrate a trophy is never easy, although I just hope it is the wake-up call they needed to make the most of that early five-point lead.

• Who would you say is Barcelona’s most influential player and the weakest player?
Hmm, I’m going to have to say that Xavi is Barcelona’s most influential player, as without him, the entire team suffers. There’s always a chance that someone else can score the goals that Messi provides the team, even more so now that Pedro has found his scoring boots again, but at current there is no-one that can dominate a game as well as Xavi does. As for the weakest player, I think it’s a 50-50 between Victor Valdés and Alexis Sanchez at the moment if we are going by starters. Valdés is mostly excellent, but is making too many mistakes in goal, and Alexis (10 games without a goal for club and country, only three goals since the middle of February) is virtually wasting a space in attack.

• Who is going to be Barcelona’s key player this season?
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the key player. After all, he is the one who is going to be getting the goals, and probably the majority of the assists as well. Aside from Messi, I think Barcelona need Pedro in top form if they wish to replicate the success of seasons gone by.

• What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of your team this season?
The strengths of the team remain the same. Our form at the Camp Nou is absolutely terrifying and Messi is equally terrifying. Our attack is possibly the quickest in the league, while the Alves-Alba combination could either contribute to a more well-rounded offense, or put more pressure on an already shaky defense. There are a lot of weaknesses though, starting with the defense who are often beaten for pace or made to pay for poor positioning. Set-pieces are another concern and what happens if Barcelona goes through another injury crisis?

• Any young players to watch out for that could be on a “break-out year”?
Thiago is the man to watch out for. He ended last season brightly despite carrying a stress injury similar to the one that led to David Villa’s broken leg, and hopefully he will be able to pick up where he left off. Sergi Roberto could see more game-time this season, but looks set to continue in Eusebio’s B team along with Gerard Deulofeu, who would otherwise be on this list.

• Can Barcelona win this season’s Champions League, what would be the biggest obstacles in doing so and what about the Spanish cup?
Barcelona are the favourites for the Champions League, although at this early stage, I feel it would take a lot of luck for them to win it. Real Madrid clearly want this to be the year they complete La Decima, although I think the true challenge will be from the likes of Bayern Munich who look incredibly strong and the English clubs. In a one-off game, Barcelona can beat any other team in World Football, but at the moment I am not convinced that they possess the concentration to do so. As for the Copa del Rey, it isn’t going to be their primary aim, but it’s always a nice feeling to retain a title.

• How good do you think Valencia will do this season? Is it feasible to think that Valencia could win the Spanish championship or at least challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid?
I think given the disparity in terms of TV revenue and global brand power, Valencia do not have anywhere near the resources needed to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona over the course of a 38 game season, but they will pose a significant threat in the individual matches – as we saw in the league opener. I think Valencia could challenge for a top two place though, especially if Mourinho continues to prioritise every competition over La Liga, and I also think that they could challenge for the Copa del Rey as well.

• What do you think are Valencia’s strengths and weaknesses?
Despite selling Alba, I think Valencia’s left flank is one of their greatest assets. Jeremy Mathieu always plays well against Barcelona even if he does struggle against the rest of La Liga at times, his partnership with Guardado has the potential to be just as, if not more devastating against the Blaugrana. Aly Cissokho should improve that left-flank as well. Soldado is one of the best pure strikers in World Football and Jonas continues to improve in the #10 role behind him. Diego Alves and Guaita are both fantastic keepers as well, capable of winning points on their own and I think the squad depth is good as well, at least once everyone recovers from injury.
Weaknesses? Well I think what stands out from the season so far is how many chances Valencia have allowed their opposition, and the pressure it places the keeper under. Depor and Real both created plenty of chances – more than Los Che anyway – and they also got the better of the possession stats as well, which is a concern ahead of a trip to the Camp Nou.

• Who do you think will win the Champions League and Europa League this season?
I don’t want to tip Barcelona for the UCL just yet, but I think it will be between Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. As for the Europa League, I think Inter are the obvious choice, but I also fancy Atletico to go far with Falcao still at the club.

I'd like to thank Aaron Duckling for taking the time to answer my questions, really apreciate it and once again you can find Aaron's articles about Barcelona at http://www.barcablaugranes.com/

Unai Emery: Victory is important

Unai Emery continued his good preseason matches with Valencia CF with a 1-0 win against Leicester City FC and previously a 2-0 win against PSV Eindhoven.

Coach Unai Emery had this to say after the match: "This victory is important, but we can improve a lot more. You've seen during the match in some moments we played really good and in others quite bad."

On the two half's he said: "The first half we were better, in some moments when we were attacking we played 4-4-2 formation which I really liked. We must continue working on it, because we are likely to use of of the two formations against Osasuna."

Emery analyzed the performance on individual players and said: "Jonas and Aduriz played great, this was the first time they played together and up till now they only worked on two trainings together. Today they have shown their knowledge and professionalism.
I also have to praise Pablo Piatti who works very hard, in him we got a great reinforcement. Then there is Daniel Parejo who immediately showed us that he is a big reinforcement for the club."

About the next match against SK Rapid Wien Unai Emery said: "The idea is for the first eleven to play a little bit more minutes and after that to have substitutions. Its very likely that Juan Mata will get his first preseason minutes playing time in the match against SK Rapid Wien."

Dealbert last year with Valencia CF

Angel Dealbert had a press conference in the City of Paterna and talked about the coming 2011/12 season. He said this season is very important to him.

For me it is a very important year. I continue in Valencia CF and what I have to do is compete, fight, work hard and be there when the coach requires. It's my last year and it really is a very important year for me. I need to get it right, play as much as possible and must be both mentally and physically ready when required by the coach" he commented.

Dealbert also said "we should not think individually," as he believes that if Valencia is doing well, its going to be well for him also, "If targets are achieved, it will be fine for me too," he added.

He said that Unai Emery's objective this season is to improve over the previous season and be competiting and fighting really hard in all 3 competitions.

Dealbert said that the most important thing for him is to do well in the upcoming friendly matches and follow the tactics the coach has set in place in the training sessions.

He also spoke about the new arrivals and his defensive partner Adil Rami: "Adil Rami is different. He is new, coming off from a victory in the French league and Lille and has to adapt quickly, as this is another league," said Dealbert, who added that Rami is "a guy with a good sense of humor, something that is fundamental."

Nice interview by Dealbert, he seems humble, but ready to work hard and impress this season. I like his attitude.

Tino Costa interview

Valencia has become a routine after yesterday's day of leisure on the beach, the team has again been divided into two groups, different from other days, who have done the same training session with more than one hour apart.

The players of Valencia have spent an hour in the gym, after which they have come on the field and have practiced, divided between offense and defense drills and output pressure of the ball.

Unai Emery, Valencia coach, has had all players available for the first team, in addition to the four homegrown players in the preseason and regular with the presence of a third goalkeeper, goalkeeper Adrian Junior B Lluna.

The group will train this afternoon, at 19.15 at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, in the penultimate training session before being moved to concentration in Austria.

Tino Costa, Valencia's Argentine footballer, has stressed that, after achieving the goal of the third in the league last season, "the results will help Unai Emery feel more confident and try more things."

"Keep on the same line of work, I still want to progress every day, the objective remains the same. We continue with the same confidence, last year was very good and now we have more mutual respect. " he detailed.

Tino Costa who has recently returned to training with the group after taking several days recovering from a sore ankle, acknowledged a sprain injury but said, "it was nothing serious."

"Every year I get different objectives to keep improving and progressing in my career. I have returned to pre-season looking forward, with the same self or stronger than last year, the club and myself demand more this season, "said the player.

Costa has described last season, his first season at the club as "year of adaptation to different football," but stressed that he has working hard "every training" to improve "details" that saved him.

The player has stated that upon arrival to the team a year ago, he was told "that he had been one of the two best players," something that has been used to emphasize that "the players who came with great desire" and that the team " is working well, calm and with clear objectives."

Tino Costa admitted that the team "needs to improve a lot" from last season, and has recollected the knockout in the second round of the Champions League against Schalke 04 in Germany.

"The team the way that played against Schalke is something that needs to be improved in order to fight" in full "in all competitions," he stressed.

Valencia has reviewed the situation of some of his countrymen to the side, as the newcomer Pablo Piatti,  on who he said that "its very clear where he arrived and he knows that the demands are more than in Almeria."

On Ever Banega, who currently plays in Copa America with Argentina, Tino Costa stated his desire for Ever to remain at the club, but admitted that "if he has to go," I will support him.

"We became good friends on and off the pitch and I would like him to stay because we are friends, but if he has to go, I'll be with him to support him and wish him good luck," he said.

"I speak every day with and him is very quiet, he had to leave in the worst moment, the team of Colombia for example was more difficult than that of Costa Rica."

Tino Costa also pointed to 'Chori' Dominguez, the player who has left Valencia to play on loan at River Plate in a "personal decision" that Valencia accepted because Chori Dominguez "wants to feel important and add minutes" and be "big in Argentina."

Pablo Hernandez interview

Pablo Hernandez was interviewed by Spanish media today in the training session. Now that Joaquin has left, Pablo is the main player for the right wing position.

On the departure of Joaquin he said: "I have always worked to feel important. I have enjoyed three years with Joaquin. I've learned a lot from him and I had to do the best."

About the team he said: "The team looks good, we are working very hard on the training sessions and each day we get better. I'm expecting an exciting season, we had few good arrivals at the club and I'm excited that next year we'll be even stronger. Our goal is to play in the Champions League, but also try and catch up to Real Madrid and Barcelona."

He agreed with Unai emery that this season is going to be tougher: "It was a success to finish third the last two seasons. Malaga is now doing a big project, but do not forget Athletic and I would also include Getafe. Of course the teams that always aspire high positions are Villarreal, Atletico and Sevilla."

When asked about the arrival of Piatti, Pablo said: "There is going to be a strong competition between me and him, but its going to be a healthy competition for both of us. Last season I was competing with Joaquin, so I know its going to be a tough competition, and I know what to expect.

Pablo Hernandez also confirmed that next season he is going to wear the number 19 shirt and not the number 7 shirt as many have predicted. He said he feels the number 19 shirt brings him luck.

Chori Dominguez and Tino Costa interviews

Choriz Dominguez yesterday played against Racing after being left out of the squad for quite some time and he helped Valencia CF get a point. Chori was also in a situation about possibly moving to Juventus on loan.

He had this to say after the match "I was anxious all day as I was waiting for news about the possible loan move and knew that I would be removed from the squad if the deal was agreed upon. As soon as the coach told me that he counted on me, I knew I was staying in Valencia and my thoughts were on getting a positive result in the match."

He also think Valencia played better in the second half and may have even gotten a win: "We played well in the second half and we had chances to win the match, but unfortunately we only managed to get a point".

Chori also had good welcoming words for new Valencia arrival Jonas and said how this player can help Valencia.

Alberto Tino Costa also had some comments after the match and spoke of himself: "I'm pleased with my personal progress, but as a team we are not putting the best performance".
"We knew that if we score an early goal, we would have a chance to win, but we just couldn't do it and next week at the Mestalla we can't loose any points.

He also spoke of his fellow Argentinian Chori Dominguez:"Chori was very good tonight and with his arrival our play became much better and more fluent. I think there is place for him in the team yet".

Valencia CF coach Unai Emery Interview

Valencia CF coach Unai Emery gave an interview to the official Valencia CF website. Here it is:

50 victories
“I am satisfied with having earned the 50th win, but also satisfied in general for the work that the team is doing at the moment. The team keeps hitting targets and have the ambition to make every win a stepping stone for the next one."

The third best first half of the decade
“We have 37 points, but things don't stop yet. We have the entire second half of the season to go, in which we want to continue on this constant road. We also want some small improvements in every aspect of our play, and above all to set out our stall as a team who should be in the Champions League again next season."

Desire for improvement
“We have two teams above us in Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are at such a high level that it is difficult to compete with them and to keep up with them under the present circumstances. But we will try to do so. Our other rivals like Villarreal and Espanyol are having a great season, and we are competing against them. We also mustn't forget that other teams may join in the fight, like Atlético de Madrid or Sevilla. We are satisfied, with the door also open for improvement. We want to transmit the idea that we can keep on growing, through our effort, dedication and teamwork."

Ambitions for the future
“The team are showing that they are maturing, through their refusal to give in and their insistence on going for the win right until the end. It is this attitude that has given us wins recently, when we have refused to settle for a draw. It is an important detail. However, we have also had our dips -like the second half against Villarreal. In that game, we had the quarter final in the palm of our hand, and let it get away. That was a return to some bad habits, and fortunately we have been able to correct the mistakes in the league."

The Academy
"We can't forget about Valencia CF's history, and what we want the club to be at present. We want a hard working team and to bring through the youth team players. Youngsters are coming through to the first team from our academy in Paterna, and it is a source of great satisfaction for everyone. To give two examples, right now we have Guaita and Jordi Alba in the first team.

Mestalla
“I can't repeat often enough that for the team, Mestalla is a place where we want to feel comfortable. We want to get this through to the fans, so that they in turn pass on this strength to the players. We want the team to feel as good as possible, so that they can win games."

Home games the key
“We know how crucial it is to make Mestalla into a fortress, where we always go out as favourites to win. That will happen with the invaluable support of the fans helping us to get stronger."

Champions League knockout stage
"We can't forget that we have a very attractive tie against Schalke 04 and Raúl still to come. We have our eye on this two-legged contest, which we will begin at Mestalla before the second match in Germany. We will be looking to do a great job in order to get through to the next round, and we want the fans to enjoy the occasion too."

Source: valenciacf.com

Sporting Gijon vs Valencia CF Aftermath

Sporting coach Manuel Preciado reckons Valencia can be an alternative to the two big teams for the Championchip this season, after his team lost 2-0 to Valencia. He said "Valencia are proving to be a real alternative to the larger teams. Our start was disastrous, we did things badly wrong and a team like Valencia have made us pay dearly."

Coach Unai Emery said that the team has learned how to win in away matches and that the players have learned the team is more important than individuals. He said "To win at El Molinon takes skill and experience, and today Valencia learned to do both."
 He mentioned how Valencia can do better, especially in keeping the ball, but was still happy that Valencia won and got the three points.
Valencia are now first on the table with 13 points, 1 more than Barcelona. Next game is against Manchester United in the Uefa Champions League and this will be a real test for Valencia's La Liga Championship desires.

Soldado criticizes Valencia CF after poor showing in Italy

Valencia striker Soldado was very critical after the bad play from Valencia in Italy.
The Valencia players played a triangle game against Napoli and Palermo in both of which they played lackluster and was another disappointment for fans all over the world.
Roberto Soldado spoke after the games: "We played bad last night, there can't be more excuses, team like Valencia must always win".
"Next Wednesday we play against a strong opponent, against Fiorentina on home soil and in front of our fans. We must win that game. I'm very angry at the players, there is no more excuses for us and we must play and win".
Soldado also touched about the minimal number of goals scored in the preseason: "players like us must be able to create more chances in front of goal"
"Things aren't looking up for us currently, though there are still two weeks before the season starts. We can improve a lot in that time-frame."

They better improve and improve fast, or else this season is going to be a disaster.

Roberto Soldado interview

New Valencia CF signing Roberto Soldado spoke to the Spanish sports daily "AS" about his transfer to Valencia and what he wants and expects to achieve.

Roberto Soldado said he wanted to exceed the number of goals he scored this season with Getafe.
"Every player's objective is to perform better than himself every year and I am a young player that is in the process of improving. I can give more than I gave Getafe. I have come to a big team and I can contribute positive things to the team."

When reminded that he made his Liga debut with Real Madrid against Valencia he had this in responce: "It was something very special to me, debuting with the Real Madrid first team. Now I am here and it is a dream that has finally come true."

Roberto Soldado also commented on several other topics, including a question about the current bad economic situation at Valencia, he respond: "The last thing I am thinking about is the club's economic situation. This club has a lot of prestige and if the team is put at the top, the rest will come."

When Questioned about coach Unai Emery, he replied: "He has done great work and last year they had a great season, not only in La Liga, but also in Europe."

When questioned about the big two and what he thought for the competition, Soldado responded: "Our idea is to compete with the big teams. We know that they are more economically strong and that makes things easier for them. But we believe ourselves to be a big side and we want to compete with the rest."

He than went on to comment about Champions League football and how excited he is to play is such a big tournament. "For a footballer, at club level the most one can aspire to is to play in the Champions League. It is like mother's milk! It cannot be compared with any other competition and we are going to give people a lot to talk about. I hope things go well for us there."

Soldado also spoke about his national team future and he said: "My first step will be to earn myself a spot here [at Valencia], to have the coach's confidence and demonstrate my work ethic and ability to score goals on the pitch. Doing those things well at Valencia, I am sure I will have the opportunity to play with La Seleccion."

Finally, Soldado acknowledged that he would be compared to the departed David Villa, but hoped that he could carve his own niche into Valencia history. "Sure, there will be people that will make comparisons, but I don't come here as a substitute for anyone, only to help the team. Everything I know I will try to develop on the pitch. I believe we have a very good squad to cover those who have left. The important thing is to be united and if we are convinced of our own abilities, surely we will win something."