Pablo Piatti on the way to Stade Rennes

Pablo Piatti seems to be the next player on his way out and is now rumoured to the very close to the French club, Stade Rennes, lead by former Real Sociedad manager, Philippe Montanier. While we discussed that he is a decent player, he seems to see that he is not included in Djukic's plans. Ukrainian club Metalist has already offered him a way out for 5 million euros but the player refused moving to Ukraine and insisted remaining in Spain. Since the only clubs in Spain's first division that have shown interest in him cannot afford to pay his wages, about 2.7 million euros annually, he sees no other way out than a move to France. Valencia wants to accommodate the player by allowing him to leave to the Stade Rennes and in turn also use the cash to help fund a move for a striker to replace Soldado. However, the French club is offering 2.5 million euros for Piatti. While the club is willing to sell for that amount, I am upset that this amount is no where near the amount invested in him (if you remember, he was bought from Almeria for 7.5 million euros). Valencia is probably willing to go through with this anyway, because they don't want to pay his high wages. So by selling him, Valencia not gain 2.5 million euros but also save on his wages. Still quite upsetting, but if it has to be done for the sake of a promising striker, it's worth it. Let's just hope the striker meets and surpasses our expectations.

Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments below. 

AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

New Striker Could Depend on Outputs

The discussion of who is going to be the striker to fill the gap left by Soldado has been going on for quite a while. The club is looking for a different type of striker, one with pace and technical ability to help with the counter-attacking style. The striker should ideally be 24-28 years old and cost no more than 10 million euros (the available budget for a striker). Additional requirements are versatility, being complementary to other players on the team and someone with proven international and club-level quality. The most recent players to be linked with Valencia are Atletico's Adrian Lopez and PSG star Jeremy Menez. Both seem to be attainable for the price range required and are deemed to meet the requirements.

Adrian Lopez: 25 year old, capped twice for the Spain International team. He can play as a center forward or out on the wings. While many compare his style of play to that of David Villa, he had a disappointing season last year for Atletico and has fallen down the pecking order with David Villa, newly signed Leo Baptistao and Diego Costa all ahead of him. Atletico previously turned an offer down from Valencia for him but might be tempted to selling him for the sake of reinforcing the other areas of the team. He has 10 goal in 68 games for Atletico Madrid. You can watch his playing style below:

Jeremy Menez: 26 year old, French International. An ambidextrous (comfortable with both feet) player with blistering pace, quick feet, great vision and an eye for goal. He can also play as a center forward, or on either flank. A natural playmaker who has also fallen down the pecking order with the likes of Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Lavezzi and Pastore all ahead of him. Right now, he seems to be returning from an injury but should be available at the beginning of the league. He has 12 goals in 63 games for PSG. You can watch his playing style below:

However, before the club attempts to buy anyone, it seems that it will focus on the output operation. Cissokho (to Sunderland / Liverpool) and Piatti (to Rennes / Olympiacos) are the names linked with a move away from the club. Rami (to Tottenham / Napoli / Fiorentina) has also recently returned to being a target for transfer rumours as well. With the cash gained from sale/loan of those players, the club hopes to attain a bigger budget to widen the range of players that it can obtain.

Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments below.

AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

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Valencia CF 2-1 Olympiacos CFP Match Report

Valencia wins the first trophy of the season. Although not a major trophy by any standards, it will provide a confidence boost for the league which will start next Saturday against Malaga at the Mestalla. The game featured new striker, Helder Postiga's, debut while also allowing Guardado, Fede and Canales to make a return from injury.

The first half began in a great fashion with Valencia dominating as they had been for the past few games. It only took 7 minutes for the first goal to come in. Banega found Postiga in the box with a through ball but his shot was saved by the keeper and the rebound fell back to Banega who had no problem in slotting past the keeper. Valencia continued their strong play but couldn't get another in the midst of Olympiacos's counterattacks. Diego Alves had a great role in stopping the counterattacks by making amazing saves when needed. Close to half-time, Bernat was side-lined with an injury but that wasn't going to stop Valencia when in the 41st minute they grabbed a second goal. Viera found provided the ball for Banega on the left flank who then drove the ball across the penalty box all the way to Postiga on the far end who finished it from close range.

The second half-featured the substitution of every player with the exception of Postiga. The performance was worse than the first half and Djukic expressed his unhappiness with the play in the second half. The chances that were made were terribly wasted, possession was lost quickly and the overall confidence was lower. The coach introduced two more substitutions by bringing on B-team player Chumbi and Guardado for Postiga and Cissokho respectively. A good chance was missed by Jonas about mid way through the second half when he hit the cross bar from point-blank range. The team would pay for this when, in the 84th minute, a cross was made by Olympiacos and an unmarked David Fuster calmly finished past Guaita. Olympiacos would grab a second goal a while later, only to be called offside but only by a fraction. Valencia managed to hold on to the lead for the remainder of the game and winning the match.

The Man-of-the-Match award was presented to Ever Banega at the end of the game and Ricardo Costa lifted the trophy. Djukic expressed that he was impressed with the first half but was disappointed with the rest of the game. He promised to iron out the mistakes before the league game.

Valencia CF (2): Alves, Bernat, Rami, Costa, Periera, Fuego, Banega, Michel, Viera, Fede, Postiga
Substitutes: Guaita, Cissokho, Guardado, V.Ruiz, Mathieu, Barragan, Romeu, Parejo, Canales, Jonas, Ibanez, Chumbi,

Olympiacos CFP (1): Roberto; Maniatis, Papazoglou, Fejsa, Mitroglou; Holebas, Medjani, Siovas, Campbell, Domínguez,Weis. 
Substitutes: Megyeri, Manolai, David Fuster, Machado, Saviola, Samaris, Fetfatzidis, Salino



AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

Valencia CF vs Olympiacos CFP Match Preview

Valencia return to the Mestalla for their last pre-season match in the annual local event known as the Trofeu Tronja (Orange Cup). The cup is this year, as with recent years, will consist of only one fixture. Valencia have won this cup, which it hosts every year, 25 times. Olympiacos finished 1st in the Greek League last year and thus are the reigning champions of Greece. However, their pre-season hasn't been the greatest. Out of the 6 games they played, they have won 2, lost 4 times and drew once. Valencia come into this game with a 1-0 victory against Everton in the USA. Youngster Alcacer is out with injury, while Fede, Canales and Guardado return to action after an injury. This game might also feature new signing, Helder Postiga although I think Jonas will start since the new striker hasn't had enough time to practice with the team.

Another win should be expected in this game if Valencia play as consistent with their last two games. It is important to finish off the pre-season on a high note since the first league game against Malaga is only in a week's time.

Match Date: August 10th, 2013
Match Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Mestalla, Valencia

You are welcome to post your predictions below.

AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

Official: Postiga signs for Valencia

The 31 year old Portuguese international has finally signed for Valencia after an agreement was reached a few days ago. Postiga passed his medical and signed a 3 year deal with Valencia for a fee of 3 million euros plus 365,000 euros should he score 15 or more goals this season. In addition, his now former club, Real Zaragoza will take 20% of future transfer fees of the player.

The new striker will take the number 9 jersey previously held by former ace striker Soldado. However, we are still expecting the other striker promised by the Vasquez to complete the attack line this season. Postiga is Valencia's fourth signing this transfer window after Javi Fuego, Oriol Romeu and Michel. Here are some of his highlights of the past year, as was posted on the Valencia website, if you want to check him out.

 

AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

Everton FC 0-1 Valencia CF Match Report

Valencia finish off their ICC Guinness Championship by a deserved victory against Everton to clinch the fifth place in the championship. As was expected, Djukic fielded a line-up that featured 10 changes from the great match against Inter with the exception being Viera, who started the game in Ever Banega's position. The game also featured Mestalla B players Ibanez and Salva Ruiz both of whom put a lot of effort to prove their worth to Djukic. Despite all the changes, the game plan was the same, keeping possession. What caught my attention is that Valencia were fighting for every ball up relentlessly all through the game. It was like they were playing a Champions League match. Seriously, I haven't seen this much drive in the players in a long time despite this being a match for fifth place.

The first half started with alternating chances for both teams and an early booking for Barragan. When Valencia settled though, they dominated the possession and Viera was outstanding in controlling the pace of the game. He played with such confidence and flair, linking up with everyone all around the field. One couldn't even tell he played 90 minutes against Inter, only 2 days before.

With the first half ending in a 0-0 deadlock, Djukic gave Viera a rest and brought in Michel. The impact of the substitution showed as early as the 53rd minute. Jonas's run cleared space outside the box for Cissokho to cross the ball to Michel who controlled and volleyed it past the stunned Everton keeper. There were dangerous opportunities for Everton and Valencia but none could capitalize, and this could have very well been a 2-3 or 3-4 scoreline. Highlights are at the bottom.

* means substituted in/out

Everton FC (0): Robles, Stones, Distin, Jagielka, Oviedo, Deulofeu*, Gibson*, Naismith*, Barkley, Fellaini, Anichebe*
Substitutes: Howard, Osman*, Hibbert, Heitinga, Pienaar, Baines*, Jelavic*, Kone, Gueye, Coleman, Vellios, Duffy, Alcarez, Mirallas*

Valencia CF (1): Guaita, Barragan, V.Ruiz, Mathieu, Cissokho, S.Ruiz*, Parejo, Viera*, Romeu, Ibanez, Jonas*
Substitutes: Diego Alves, Periera, Rami, Costa, Bernat*, Michel*, Banega*, Fuego, Feghouli, Alcacer