UD Levante vs Valencia CF Match Preview

UD Levante vs Valencia CF Match Preview

Stadium: Ciutat de València

Date: 07.10.2012; 12:00 CET

7th matchday, La Liga

Coaches: Juan Ignacio Martínez and Mauricio Pellegrino

UD Levante

UD Levante are coming to this match after two consecutive losses, first a big 4-0 loss at the hands of Osasuna away and then a 2-1 loss to German outfit Hannover 96 in the Europa League also in an away match. Before these two matches Levante is a mixed bag, they managed to get a draw against Atletico Madrid in their opening game and went on to loose three games and won 2 games.

Right now Levante are sitting 14th on the Spanish table with only 7 points out of 6 matches, 7 scored goals and 13 conceded goals. Even with this little matches you can clearly see that their defense is their main problem. I don't believe that all of a sudden they can't play, but I think it has to do with discipline, concentration and motivation. Last season qualification for the Europa League may have hit them on the head  and are having a slow start to the season.

UD Levante squad: to be announced...

Valencia CF

Valencia CF on the other hand are coming to this match after two consecutive wins one in the Spanish league against Real Zaragoza and one against Lille in the Champions league, both won two goals to zero. As such this is a perfect opportunity for Valencia CF to close the gap with the top 6 clubs and catch up for the Champions league competition slots, of course only if Valencia CF wins.

If Valencia CF looses this match its going to be a devastating loss and it may engage the panic mode within the board and fans, after all right now Valencia CF only has 8 points and tough start or not its not going to matter, especially since we lost points to Deportivo La Coruna and Mallorca. So this is a big must win match for several reasons, not to mention Mauricio Pellegrino job security. No coach wants to work under pressure and there will be pressure if Valencia loose this match.

A bit of good news is that Mathieu is back with the squad, though he is not very likely to start as he may lack fitness, also Banega is closer and clsoer to getting fit and may possibly be included in the squad towards the end of this month.  No new injuries have occurred so that is always good, especially since the crisis we've had with injuries this past month.

Valencia CF squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves, Guaita.
Defenders: Barragán, Joao Pereira, Rami, Víctor Ruiz, Carlos Delgado, Cissokho and Mathieu.
Midfielders: Gago, Tino Costa, Parejo, Guardado, Viera and Bernat.
Forwards: Jonas, Valdez and Soldado.

Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):

Formation: 4-4-2

Line-up: Guaita; Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Cissokho; Guardado, Tino, Gago, Viera; Jonas, Soldado.

Tactics: High defensive line, all round pressure, mixed passing, wing attacks mostly.

Result Prediction:

UD Levante 1-3 Valencia CF

I expect an easy big win against Levante. Historically we've always done well against them, we have the better squad, Valencia CF is in better form than them and Levante are having some defensive troubles having conceded 13 goals. So I fully expect a bigger win, something like 3-1 for Valencia CF.

Squad for Levante published

Mauricio Pellegrino announced the squad to face Levante. Due to injuries Ever Banega, Sergio Canales, Pablo Piatti, Ricardo Costa and David Albelda, while Feghuoli will miss the match due to his 3 matches suspension, while for the first time in weeks Jeremy Mathieu finds him place back in the squad after coming back from injury.


Goalkeepers: Diego Alves, Guaita.
Defenders: Barragán, Joao Pereira, Rami, Víctor Ruiz, Carlos Delgado, Cissokho and Mathieu.
Midfielders: Gago, Tino Costa, Parejo, Guardado, Viera and Bernat.
Forwards: Jonas, Valdez and Soldado.

Parejo wants to leave in January

Daniel Parejo

Daniel Parejo is considering leaving Valencia CF in January as he feels he is not getting enough playing time at Valencia CF and also feels like he is being treated badly for his performances.

Now I would add - no kidding, his performances have been really bad, how in the world would anyone cheer on that. Now I don't think insulting him on facebook and twitter is the way to go as some Spanish fans have done or whistling him every time he steps on the grass, but he needs to take responsibility and step up his game and prove everyone wrong with some great performances, he can't just whine and insult the club with thoughts of leaving as he has done constantly, or as his sister has done insult the club and fans directly.

Daniel Parejo knows that his situation is going to be worse once Ever Banega returns and he would find chances to play little and far between so he is looking to be able to leave in January.

Now Valencia CF would be interested in such a move, especially since we need a right wing and a central defender and we don't have the money to get both, so getting 6 million for Parejo would be good, but the question now becomes is he worth that much? Which team will offer 6 million or more for Parejo, especially having seen some of his terrible performances.

Here is an article I wrote about Daniel Parejo in December of 2011 saying that he is a liability and that he should go. http://clubvalenciacf.blogspot.com/2011/12/daniel-parejo-is-liability-and-we-need.html

It holds more true today that it actually did back then, but again I know what I'm talking about. People's character rarely changes and we see this again now. I say sell him this time and reinforce the squad where we really need to like in defense and right wing.

Valencia players called to international duty

Adil Rami Valencia CF

French national team coach Deschamps called up Adil Rami to the national team. Adil Rami has been a regular squad member for France, but since the arrival of Didier Deschamps he has been relegated to the bench.

Of course Rami has only himself to blame as him performances haven't been great for Valencia CF and for France in Euro 2012.

Joao Pereira has been called up again for Portugal, but coach Paulo Bento dropped Ricardo Costa from the national team and called up Valladolid center back Henrique Sereno.

Another player that has been dropped is Jonas Goncalved from the Brazil national team, though goalkeeper Diego Alves was called back.

Fernando Gago has also been called to the Argentinian national team and he has been a regular for quite some time now, starting in midfield alongside Mascherano.

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?
/

• 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

Someone at RFEF is out to get Valencia CF

The Royal Spanish Football Federation commission is obviously out to get Valencia CF. As if blatant refereeing decisions going towards Barcelona and Real Madrid isn't enough, and Valencia CF 3 years in a row having refereeing decisions going in the favor of the big two when we play them, now the comissions has decided to penalize Sofiane Feghuoli for his double yellow into red card in the last match in La Liga, even though this rule is almost never used.

He supposedly under rule 117 disrespected the referee and as such is going to get 3 matches suspension. The club is obviously challenging this absurd and fraudulent rule with the match fixing Spanish football federation who need to be fully investigated themselves.

There is 100% match fixing going on with referees that needs to be investigated in Spain, its likely to be way bigger than the Italian scandal. RFEF, LFP, referees, all bodies need to be investigated.

YZ2BECWHQ8SR

Valencia CF vs Lille OSC Match Preview

Valencia CF vs Lille OSC Match Preview

Stadium: Mestalla

Date: 02.10.2012; 20:45 CET

2nd matchday, Champions League

                              Coaches: Mauricio Pellegrino and Rudi Garcia

Valencia CF

Valencia CF is coming to this matches after a much needed 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza in the Spanish league and kick-started their challenge for Champions League positions next season. Valencia CF was in a bit of a crisis, performance crisis and injury crisis and to a large extent it still is in a rather big injury crisis with only Fernando Gago having returned to the team and even played last match, possibly the biggest reason why we won, but players like Mathieu, Piatti, Albelda, Banega are still some ways off until they can recuperate fully and recently Ricardo Costa got injured, possibly even Joao Pereira in the last match, though the coach said it was just a precaution and that he is likely to be able to play against Lille.

For Valencia CF playing and doing well in the Champions League is paramount and I know its important for all teams, but for Valencia CF more so because the team is in massive debts and playing in the Champions League helps repay some of the debts, as well as earn back some prestige, which we've lost since 2003/4. It helps boost shirts sales, increases fans and gives Valencia CF big media exposure which sponsors obviously really like.

With Gago now in the team I'm more optimistic as we now have a midfield and its quite good at that, with Tino Costa being able to operate more attacking and adding another dimension to our attacks, rather than just sit back and defend most of the time. So Valencia really has a chance of beating Lille tomorrow night, but doing so would be really tough and Lille should not be underestimated, even though they lost their first match at home against BATE Borisov. They are still a good team and can surely give us troubles, especially since Valencia CF has not been in full form and playing great either. History is on our side though as Valencia CF have won all seven previous home games against visitors from France.

I feel the coach is going to start with pretty much the same squad against Zaragoza, except Rami who due to a red card in the previous match against Bayern, so Valencia are going to have to rely on B team player Carlos Delgado and this is our biggest problem. If Delgado steps up to the occasion and has an amazing match its going to be great, but if not well then qualification in the next round of the Champions League would really be in question.

Valencia CF squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Alves, Guaita.
Defense: Barragán, Joao Pereira, Víctor Ruiz, Carlos Delgado, Cissokho, Gayá.
Midfield: Gago, Tino Costa, Portu, Parejo, Guardado, Viera, Bernat, Feghouli.
Attack: Jonas, Valdez, Soldado.

Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):
Formation: 4-4-2
Line-up: Guaita; Pereira, Delgado, Ruiz, Cissokho; Feghuoli, Tino, Gago, Viera; Jonas, Soldado.
Tactics: High defensive line, all round pressure, mixed passing, wing attacks mostly.

Lille OSC

Lille OSC are coming to this match after a 2-0 loss to Rennes in the French league and their start to the season hasn't been going that well either. They have lost two games, and draw 4 games and won only 1 game, putting them at the bottom of the table with only 7 points from 7 matches and also a loss at home in the first Champions League game against BATE Borisov. Sufficive to say Lille are in big trouble with a real bad start to the season and not so unexpectedly if I may say. In the past 2 seasons they've sold few of their top players and at the same time they haven't brought in any good reinforcements and we starting to see the consequences this season and the worst is likely yet to come.

Valencia CF have won all seven previous home games against visitors from France and Lille will be looking to break this tradition and bounce up from their last two losses domestically and in the Champions League. Last time the clubs met was in the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League group stage, with Valencia winning 3-1 at home. The first game in France had ended 1-1 with a late goal from Mata to equalize and make sure Valencia CF go through.

Lille OSC finished third in Ligue 1 last season and overcame FC København in the play-offs to reach the group stage of the Champions League. For those that don't know France 3rd place needs qualifying as they are a lower rated league than the Spanish league for example and this third place teams need to qualify for the group stages.

Lille OSC squad: Mickaël Landreau, Steeve Elana, Mouko Barel, Debuchy Mathieu, Digne Lucas, Florent Balmont, Idrissa Gueye, Dimitri Payet, Tulio De Melo, Mendes Ryan, David Rozehnal, Djibril Sidibé, Benoît Pedretti, Franck Beria, Gianni Bruno, Rodelin Ronny, Laurent Bonnart, Aurélien Chedjou, Marko Basa, Nolan Roux, Klonaridis Dorian,

Technical Details Lille OSC (probable setups):
Formation: 4-3-3
Line-up: Vercoutre; Mathieu, Basa, Chedjou, Digne; Mavuaba, Gueye, Pedretti; Bruno, Roux, Payet.
Tactics: Low defensive line, own half pressure, counter attacks, mixed passing, trying to suffocate VCF midfield.

Result Prediction
Valencia CF 2-0 Lille OSC
With Valencia CF returning to winning ways and Lille OSC still struggling I can't see any way for Valencia CF to looses this. The slight chance Lille has is that our B team defender Delgado plays really poorly and Lille are allowed to easily score. I think Delgado is going to play decent between Pereira, Ruiz and Cissokho he'd step up and be comfortable.