Valencia CF unveils new dress for 2013/14

Valencia CF officially unveiled the new kit for the 2013/14 under the slogan "At Christmas, new colors, same feeling" Roberto Soldado, Ever Banega, Fernando Gago, Tino Costa and Nelson Haedo Valdez's debut the new Official VCF dress for 2013.

The new kit will be worn in the next match against Malaga and after that in all competitions. I believe the current white dress will also be worn, but be used as an away dress, rather then home dress.

I suspect the decision to create and unveil  new dress is because the white dress didn't sell too much and the blue dresses were just plain ugly. I think this is a good move and the black-orange color is one of the finest color combinations and certainly Valencianista.

Valencia CF interested in Victor Rodriguez

Spanish newspaper Superdeporte reports that Valencia CF is interested in Victor Rodriguez who currently plays for Real Zaragoza as right wing. He is 23 years old and came to Real Zaragoza from Spanish third division club CF Baladona. He was initially brought for Real Zaragoza's B team, but soon got a chance in the first team and since then he has featured regularly for them. Victor Rodriguez made his debut against Espanyol and is currently the teams top players in assists.

I haven't seen him play, though I doubt he is of any reasonable quality for us. I agree that Valencia CF can't spend much on a right winger, especially since we have Piatti returning and Feghouli will only be gone for a month or so, but I feel like we should either get good quality winger or not get any at all. I mean if the new arrival can't even displace Piatti from the starting spot, what is the point in buying him.

So I don't think this will happen, I think the team has followed him, I think there is a real potential interest, but I just don't see Victor Rodriguez being the new arrival come winter.

Valencia CF getting offers for Feghouli

Valencia CF sporting director or technical director whatever you want to call his position Braulio Vazquez has confirmed that Valencia CF has several offers for Sofiane Feghouli. Report are that there are offers from PSG, AC Milan and few other teams for the services of Feghuoli.

Valencia CF president Manuel Llorente has said that they are working hard to reach an agreement with Feghouli over the new deal which would have Feghuoli stay for the next 5 years at the club. Feghouli has also stated that he wants to stay, but both sides are having trouble reaching an agreement over the salary as some offers Feghouli has received have him earning over 3 million euros per year, while at Valencia CF he would earn a little less than 2 million euros.

Now all this interest from other clubs shouldn't go to Sofiane Feghouli's head as he is still very young, he is still inconsistent and even though he is an integral part of Valencia CF right now, he doesn't have any competition for his position, so he is not as great or important as he no doubt would like to think of himself.

So he can grow as a player, but also regress, we've seen those cases all too often where potential stars go fizzling out.

Valencia CF 1-1 Bayern Munich Match Report

Well a great night for Valencia CF and Valencia fans ladies and gentlemen, very pleased with the score especially since Valencia CF were playing with 10 men for most of the match. In fact I'd say Valencia CF dominated most of the second half and were on equal footing with Bayern with 10 men of the field.

Ultimately this guarantees Valencia CF path to the next round with 10 points as FC Bate Borisov lost today to Lille. Bate had a good series of result in the Champions League, beating Bayern Munich and Lille, but ever since the double trashing by Valencia CF they've come back to earth it seems.

Valencia CF also has a chance to finish 1st in the group as we travel to Lille in about two weeks, while Bayern Munich will face off with Bate Borisov and hopefully they loose or draw, but either way qualifying was the important thing and the position is not as important, as second place doesn't guarantee you will face weaker teams, in fact it may be the contrary.

The match itself was overall very equal, even with Valencia CF reduced to 10 men early on in the 30th minute. At the beginning Bayern Munich dominated and were on the attack, Dante having a good header after getting away from Cissokho from a corner kick in the 18th minute, but Guaita was positioned well and saves.

Next chance would be by Valencia CF after a great cross from Tino Costa for Soldado, he sort of looses the ball, but the ball bounces to Feghuoli and he shoots, but it goes above the goal. Just a minute later Barragan goes in with a reckless sliding tackle and gets his second yellow card of the match and an automatic red, leaving the team to fend off with 10 men.

Valencia CF would regain control from that re card and would go on the offensive, with Feghuoli having a great chance in the 43rd minute, after Soldado's back-heel to him, but once again Feghuoli's shot goes above the goal.

The first half would end with both sides have few good chances, but mostly play in the final third in Valencia's half and the in the middle of the park.

Second half started with Valencia CF in full control of the match, in fact you'd think Bayern Munich were the ones playing with 10 men. This good play would bear fruits as Soldado latches on to a great pass by Tino Costa, but Soldado with a terrible miss ruins the chance. Should have been 1-0 right there in the 61st minute.

Few minutes later Thomas Muller shoots, but Guaita is well positioned again and saves.

After about 10 minutes with battle in the middle of the park, Valencia CF moves in the final third and a rebound from an attack comes to Feghuoli, this one with a great solo run goes past 3 players, shoots and with the help of Dante is able to fool Neuer and score a goal for a 1-0 lead for Valencia CF.

Valencia's happiness wouldn't last long, as just 5 short minutes after Bayern Munich would equalize the score, after an attack from the left side. A cross from Philipp Lahm finds its way to Thomas Müller, he shoots, but it was Feghuoli's block that changes the direction of the shot fooling Guaita and ending up in the net.
Minute later Bastian shoots from a long range, but Guaita saves.

The last 4 minutes of added time would be nerve racking as Bayern went for the win with full force, but Valencia CF was able to hold on to the draw.

Technical Details:
Valencia CF  (1): Guaita, Barragán, Ricardo Costa, Rami, Cissokho, Tino Costa, Parejo (Jonas, min.71), Éver (Albelda, min. 80), Feghouli, Guardado (Valdez, min. 85) y Soldado.
FC Bayern Münich (1): Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Badstuber, Alaba; J. Martínez, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Kroos (Shaqiri, min.68’), Ribery (Gomez, min. 78); Pizarro (Mandzukic, min. 68’).
Goals: 1-0 Min 76, Feghouli. 1-1 Min 82, Müller.

Player Ratings:
Guaita 6.5 - Great match from Guaita today ,having 3 good saves and nothing he could do about the goal, as the shot was deflected from Feghuoli and went in the other way.
Barragan 3.5 - Reckless tackle earned him the second yellow and automatic red, leaving the team to fend off for 70 minutes with 10 men.
Rami 7 - Great defending from Rami, was dominant in the air and had few crucial interceptions, worked well with Ricardo Costa.
R. Costa 7 - Good understanding with Rami and equally as impressive, making few blocks and tackles on his own.
Cissokho 5.5 - Not a good night from the Frenchmen as he often found himself on the backfoot and lost Lahm for the crucial cross that led to the Bayern goal.
Tino Costa 6.5 - Very impressive performances, closing down Bayern players, linking up well with Banega and providing good and accurate passes. Had two great crosses that could have been assists, if Soldado managed to convert them to goals.
Parejo 6 - Impressive performances and even though he wasn't as involved as Tino Costa, he made some good tackles in defense and provided some much needed accurate passes.
Feghuoli 7 - Full of running all night and managed to score a wonderful goal after a great solo run, but ender up in tragic as his block on Muller's shot fooled Guaita and the ball went into the net. Overall a very good performance.
Banega 6 - Very attack minded in this match, but also disciplined as he provided good cover in the midfield. Good passing overall, started up several attacks and generally helped Valencia CF keep possession.
Guardado 5.5 - Solid defensively and provided good cover for Cissokho on the left, but much to be desired on in attack, as he failed to threaten even once.
Soldado 5.5 - Had three great chances, but failed to convert two and failed to control the ball in one. Made good runs, though he lacked finishing and good ball control this time.
Subs:
Jonas 5 - Came in for Parejo and failed to help out the team. Too attack minded and a lack of understanding with the midfield enabled Bayern to start controlling the match again. He was a poor choice for a sub anyways.
Albelda N/A - Not enough time
Valdez N/A - Not enough time

Valencia CF vs Bayern Munich Match Preview

Valencia CF vs Bayern Munich Match Preview

Stadium: Mestalla

Date: 20.11.2012; 20:45 CET

5th matchday, Champions League

Coaches: Mauricio Pellegrino and Jupp Heynckes

Valencia CF

Valencia CF is coming to this match after a very lucky 2-1 win in the domestic league against Espanyol. And while I wouldn't call it even so much luck, more like compensation I believe from the referee from the terrible refereeing the week before that which made Valencia CF loose points, this this was a compensation and 3 points from that point of view, but more importantly the play was rather poor, in fact it was so poor that a struggling and relegation threatened team like Espanyol looked like a Champions League team. So even though I had some positive views on this match and was even looking at a hard fought victory, now I'm not so sure. The problem is compounded with the fact that Fernando Gago one of our more consistent performers this season is injured and was omitted from the squad to face Bayern Munich.

Valencia CF is also still suffering from lack of competition on the right wing as even though Piatti returned from his shoulder injury, he instantly got some other injury and is still to contribute. Jeremy Mathieu is also suffering from a long term injury and even though he seems likely to return in two weeks he has barely featured this season. Ever Banega after his long injury woes seems rather unfit and a bit overweight, so even though he did make a good return, last match was a step in the wrong direction. Some positive news is that Ricardo Costa is back in the team, though he was only out in the league, its a good addition to have him, considering Valencia CF only has 3 central defenders this season.

Judging from the last match against Bayern Munich and Bate who managed to beat Bayern Munich and Valencia CF beat them convincingly twice I was pretty sure Valencia can make a result at the Mestalla, especially since this season we haven't lost at home and were showing signs of improvement, but after last match I'm not so sure. I think Pellegrino knows that the biggest advantage Bayern had and has is the possession so I'm thinking he is probably going to set up a 3 man midfield, likely in a 4-3-3 formation in order to control the midfield and use the home advantage to pressure and beat Bayern Munich. 

Valencia CF squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves, Guaita.
Defenders: Barragán, Ricardo Costa, Víctor Ruiz, Rami, Cissokho.
Midfielders: Albelda, Tino Costa, Éver, Dani Parejo, Guardado, Viera, Bernat, Feghouli.
Forwards: Jonas, Valdez i Soldado.

Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):
Formation: 4-3-3
Line-up: Guaita; Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Cissokho; Tino, Albelda, Banega; Guardado, Soldado, Feghuoli.
Tactics: Medium defensive line, own third pressure, counter attacks, mostly short wide passing, mixed attacks.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich on the other hand have been doing great in the German Bundesliga and are still leading the table with 31 points from 12 matches played, only loosing once and drawing once. In fact the draw came in this last weekend where Bayern drew 1-1 with Nurnberg away. Their last match in the Champions League Bayern Munich trashed Lille 6-1, and even though I don't consider that too big of a deal as Lille have been rather terrible this season, it shows how much confidence the team has, though this can be their Achilles heel as well.

Thing is Bayern Munich are doing too great in the Bundesliga with 33 goals scored and only 5 goals conceded and don't have any competition at the moment. That can change later on of course, though right now they haven't been really challenged there and whether its luck, weak opposition or Bayern playing great all the time, it means that they are going to underestimate Valencia CF and if the match is a repeat of the last one, I believe Valencia CF can win as Bayern Munich failed to create any clear cut chances against Valencia CF and by the end were even lucky to come away with the win and that was at their home terrain. That said the good Valencia is going to have to show up, the one that can play collectively and fluid as a unit and not one that we've seen all too often this season which shows up in the away matches.

Bayern's coach Jupp is way too experienced and he is going to be warning his players not to underestimate Valencia CF and work hard, he is also probably going to be worried about headers since Bayern seem to have a weakness from it as seen from our match, but other as well. Their defense is also not as great as the statistics in Germany show, in fact I'd say that is their weak point and a chaotic Valencia attack can really devastate that well oiled German defense. Ultimately Bayern Munich are going to be playing their game and will try to dominate possession and use their wings as the preferred way to attack.

Bayern Munich are reinforced as Ribéry and Gomez are set to return, Mario Gomez is back in the squad after a lengthy injury.

Bayern Munich squad:
Neuer, Dante, Van Buyten, Ribéry, Martínez, Mandzukic, Shaqiri, Rafinha, Pizarro, Lahm, Starke, Müller, Contento, Alaba, Badstuber, Schweinsteiger, Gomez, Kroos, Tymoshchuk

Technical Details FC Bayern Munich (probable setups): 
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Line-up: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Dante; Schweinsteiger, Martinez; Shaqiri, Muller, Ribery; Pizarro.
Tactics: Medium defensive line, own 3rd pressure, keep possession, mostly short circular passing, spreading the ball to the wings, cut inside the penalty area from the wings.

Result Prediction:
Valencia CF 1-1 Bayern Munich
I predict this is going to be a tough match with few goals, though it could also erupt if early goals are scored, though I suspect both teams will be positioned as to not loose first and foremost and I suspect a tight match, but as I've said with the teams being so close on points and 3 teams fighting to go through one or both teams can become desperate if they are down one goal and go full out offensive. So it can go either way, but most likely its going to be a tight match, probably Bayern scoring first and then going into a more defensive pasture which would allow Valencia CF to control the match and attack more, scoring through a header from a cross.

Valencia CF 2-1 Espanyol Match Report

Well after last weeks fiasco by the referees and significantly damaging Valencia CF, it was about time we won because of a referee. It was an average match with rather poor play by Valencia CF and only won because the referee saved us, no doubt compensation for last week's steal.

But what can I say we started decently with David Albelda and Tino Costa in the midfield and doing pretty well might I add, considering none are really ball possession types, but once again we have no working attack, we have no final third build up play, its all random passes that pose absolutely no danger.

I got to say Feghuoli and Viera seem very cut off, they have no real support and aren't penetrative enough on their own, there is no positioning in the forward center position, somewhere around 30 meters so we can chase for the ball if we loose it or something and this allows for quick counter attacks for the other side, in this case Espanyol.

The big break for Valencia CF came in the 16th minute where Viera latched on from Jonas body and scored a goal. As always my stream was really poor and can't see most stuff, why did Sopcast go down?

But anyways Espanyol would equalize through Longo in the 31st minute and put the game back into contention. Most of the match was played in the midfield, though I believe more in our side of the field than Espanyols. Overall the first half was quite equal, most noticeable for the two goals.

Second half started with Espanyol controlling the match and going on the offensive, as if they were the home team and favorites at that. I got to say I didn't like our play in the first half, but I didn't like our play in the second half even more. Then the changes came as Viera made way for Bernat and Albelda for Banega in what was an attacking move by Pellegrino. Sadly though this didn't improve Valencias play and in fact Banega was either way overconfident or had a complete lack of confidence as he pretty much missed every pass he was trying to make, giving the ball away few times in dangerous positions, so this was really a terrible performance by Banega, not to mention that he failed to keep possession and most of the time lost possession.

Bernat was the same, no penetration on the wing, no crosses, no attacks, receive the ball and instantly get rid of it, no cutting inside, no nothing. Jonas certainly wasn't helping out, completely irrelevant and useless. Apart from the assist that basically was the ball bouncing off of his body he was rather invisible. I mean that was one lucky assist and if he was in control it probably wouldn't even have been an assists, he would have probably wasted the chance.

Then the 88th minute came and the referee gave away a penalty that I didn't see, though again my stream was so bad I was barely seeing the ball. Anyways the two red cards were the big issue. Anyways Soldado stepped up to take it and as always with his penalties just absolutely nailed it and the keeper had no chance as he went the other way, though even if he guessed the side the shoot was so good he wouldn't have been able to stop it.

You'd think with 9 players Espanyol would hold for dear life and try not to loose by more, but with 9 players they pretty much outplayed Valencia and the game ended literally Valencia CF wasting time, that is how bad the play was.

Technical Details:
Valencia CF  (2): Alves; Barragán, Rami, V. Ruiz, Guardado; Albelda (Éver, min.67), T. Costa; Feghouli, Jonas (Valdez, min.79), Viera (Bernat, min.67); Soldado.
RCD Espanyol (1): C.Álvarez, R.Rodriguez, C.Gómez (Tejera, min. 71), Moreno, V.Álvarez; V. Sánchez, Forlin; S. García, Verdú, Wakaso; Longo (Christian, min.80).
Goals: 1-0 Min 16, Viera. 1-1 Min 31, Longo. 2-1 Min 89, Soldado (p.).

Player Ratings:
Diego 6 - Didn't have work to do, couldn't have done anything more for the goal.
Barragan 6 - Decent defensively, Espanyol attacks mostly came from the other side and center, failed to provide much support going forward.
Rami 6.5 - Secure performance and he is slowly improving, making some good interceptions in the air.
Ruiz 6 - Less secure and made few mistakes at the back, though had an overall decent game.
Guardado 6 - Terrible defending, especially in the second half, most of the time was out of position, but went forward to a good extent and was at times more forward than Viera and later Bernat.
Albelda 5.5 - Good defensively, but fails to add more to the team, especially when paired with Tino who isn't a big possession type guy either.
Tino Costa 6.5 - Can't hold possession for his life, but he does run a lot and spread the ball simply but accurately. Pressured Espanyol midfield and tracked back to defense fast.
Feghuoli 5.5 - Second match in a row after his amazing performance in the champions league that he's been rather poor. Complete lack of penetration from his side, was slow and cumbersome on the ball and failed to link up with pretty much everyone.
Jonas 4.5 - Completely lucky assist if you can call it that, was mostly anonymous the whole match and failed to do anything of notice, needs to be dropped from the starting eleven.
Viera 6.5 - Well scored a good goal and had some glimpse's of brilliance, but needs to be more consistent and needs to learn to work better with other players.
Soldado 6.5 - Superbly taken penalty and was always trying to get into positions. The lack of service he gets is amazing and needs chances to score, which he isn't getting.
Subs:
Bernat 5 - Didn't add anything to the attack, didn't make any runs and always returned the ball backwards.
Banega 5 - Poor performance this time by Banega. After two promising matches this one was a regress and lost many balls and failed to solidify the midfield and hold possession.
Valdez N/A - not enough time.

Real Valladolid 1-1 Valencia CF Match Report

Referees 5, Valencia CF 0. This game was given to Real Valladolid by the referee, overall the 5th game referees have given to other teams. Even in the Calciopoli refereeing scandal it wasn't this obvious there is massive cheating going on.

But lets go to the match for a moment here. Valencia CF started with a 4-3-3 formation with Gago as the defensive midfielder sitting deep, while Banega and Parejo were more advanced feeding balls forward. Nelson Valdez also started after his recent good performances. The match started with Valencia CF dominating possession and being on the attack.

It took a while until Valencia CF had a chance, but in the 14th minute Daniel Parejo hit the post from a free kick from the resulting play after that Valencia CF was given a free kick on the left side. Guardado took the free kick from which Cissokho scored.

Valencia CF would keep probing and trying, Valdez would have one decent chance after a good cross by Banega but was pushed out of the ball, then Guardado in the 37th minute would have a clear path in front of him, he shoots but the ball goes just wide.

Valencia CF dominated the match for most of the match, though it was lacking that forward punch as Feghuoli was quite lackluster and Valdez from an early head injury wasn't 100% and you can see he was struggling.

At half time Soldado was brought on for the obviously injured Valdez. Second half started much like the first with Valencia CF having the initiative and even scoring a goal that was deemed offside, which I'll come back to later and to all of the decisions that went against us this match that ultimately led to Valencias demise.

Minutes later after Valencia CF second goal, Real Valladolid had a counter attack and Cissokho was basically ahead of the chasing Valladolid player, got in front of the ball, was fouled by the Valladolid player and having being fouled he lost his footing stumbling towards the ball at which point he started falling as he was being overtaken and both players sort of stumbled upon each other. At worst this was too little to give a penalty at best it was foul on Cissokho. The paid shill of a referee decided that this was foul by Cissokho and no less a red card foul for havens sake that was the most ridiculous call I've seen for several months now, Valencias had bigger injustices done though overall. But the call was absurd, there was a foul alright, but it was against Cissokho, this also leads us earlier when Valdez was fouled in Valencia's penalty area as someone gave his a big hit in the stomach and it was a red card foul for sure, but the referee acted like he was blind and allowed play. Later on Valencia CF had a clear cut penalty as a Valladolid defender played with his hand, but once again the paid shill didn't call it, later on we had a clear absolutely onside goal rejected and the nail in the coffin was the penalty and red card of Cissokho, making sure Valencia CF wouldn't be able to come back if Valladolid scored.

Overall Real Valladolid barely saw out goal before we were down to two men. They had two chances overall, one shot hit the post in the first half and then another semi chance in the second half. Valencia CF wasn't particularly threatening in front of goal either, but we controlled the possession and tempo of the match, in an away match that is what you do to win and were on the right track to winning even with all the calls against us, but then a gifted penalty and a red card sealed the fate.

Pellegrino also made weird substitutions, he took out Banega and put in Tino, which was a weird substitution as Banega had a great match and Parejo was the invisible one, plus Tino is offensive as well, a defensive move would have been Albelda for Banega, certainly not Tino for Banega.

Then he had even weirder substitution as he took off Gago and put in Jonas in his place, when Valencia CF was already suffering for possession, this move pretty much made sure Valencia lost the midfield battle and Real Valladolid dominated from that moments on, with Valencia CF attacking only from weak counter attacks. In the final moments though we could have won as a series of shots made their way to I believe Rami who had a shot, but was blocked and that was the end of the match.

Technical Details:
R. Valladolid (1): Dani Hernández, Rukavina, Rueda, Óscar, Omar, Bueno, Peña (Bueno, min. 77), Álvaro Rubio (Sastre, min. 67), Víctor Pérez, Balenziaga y Manucho.
Valencia CF (1): Alves,  Cissokho, Rami, Gago (Jonas, min. 77), Feghouli, Ever (Tino Costa, min. 67), Barragán, Valdez (Soldado, min. 46), Guardado, Víctor Ruiz y Parejo.
Goals: 0-1 Min. 14 Cissokho 1-1 Min. 64 Víctor Pérez.

Player Ratings:
Diego 5 - Didn't have anything to do, apart from one stretch early on when the ball hit the post, one punch in the second half and then the penalty. Completely misread the penalty shot though and as a supposed penalty expert should have done better.
Barragan 4.5 - Ineffective performance by Barragan, failed to link up with Feghuoli, was beaten and out of position several times. Had few desperate crosses in attack that gifted the ball.
Rami 7 - Secure performance, won pretty much all air duels and made several crucial interceptions.
Ruiz 6.5 - A little less secure than Rami, but did well and had two good blocks and one header to clear a big threat from counter attack.
Cissokho 6.5 - Secure defensively, lost his man few times, but went forward do a great extent and scored Valencia's goal. He was fouled for the penalty and as he was falling he bumped into the Valladolid player basically and that was seen as a red card foul by the referee.
Gago 6 - Good performance as always, spread the ball well from defense, but did have several smaller mistakes and was out of position for some crucial counter attacks by Valladolid.
Parejo 5 - Not very effective, lost several passes and wasn't important in any play, came more to the forefront in the second half, but largely ineffective performance.
Banega 6.5 - Great performance overall with some fine passes and link up play. Had one wonderful cross for Valdez, though he had trouble sustaining his level for long periods and I think this is due to lack of fitness. Needs to loose few kilos and have more stamina exercises.
Feghuoli 5.5 - Rather anonymous performance this match, after having a great match just few days ago in the Champions League. Don't know if he was tired or doesn't have any understanding with Barragan, but very inefficient performance.
Valdez 5.5 - Started brightly with few good runs into the penalty area, catching few crosses and doing what he could with them, but after he headed with a Valladolid player he was pretty much done, being very ineffective.
Guardado 7 - Great performance by Guarado as he was a constant threat to Real Valladolid, having several good runs, few decent crosses and provided the assist for Cissokho.
Subs:
Soldado 6 - Came on for Valdez on half time, but didn't show for it. Had one shot that was blocked, of course he had a goal neglected as well, he was onside.
Tino 5.5 - When he came in Valencia CF was with 10 players and failed to provide much relief in the middle. Maybe a bit better defensively than Banega and run more, but couldn't control proceedings.
Jonas N/A - Not enough time, though a weird substitution by Pellegrino, maybe he was watching from a TV and didn't have the best sense what was going on?