Valencia CF 2-0 Levante Match Report

Valencia start off the new year with a new coach and a win in the derby. The win gives Valencia three points most importantly, but also the confidence to start the year with the new coach. This win hardly proves anything though as Levante have been struggling this year and have been riddled with problems including scandals and the like. Surely the match against Levante is miles away from the level of Tuesday's Cup match against Atletico Madrid.

The most notable change new coach Pizzi has managed to do in the short time he's been here, is increase the level of intensity dramatically. The sluggish play that was so common during the time Djukic was in charge wasn't seen at all. I've watched some videos of the training sessions and apparently the new coaching staff is working the team to the extreme as should be done. Even the players commented that Djukic didn't push them at all compared to this. Other notable things were more accuracy in passing and more decisive tackling and defending. The major problem that remains is the firepower. With the amount of chances in the game, not much was taken despite the clear dominance of Valencia. Neither Postiga or Jonas managed to make the most of their chances and both goals came from either winger, Piatti and Feghouli. The coach has asked the management to look for a new striker as well which could mean the departure of one or more of the forwards. Pabon has not lived up to what was expected so far but that could be due to the way Djukic used him and how he told him to play. Alcacer is mostly given cup matches against weaker opponents and has the highest goal-to-game ratio out of all the strikers but is invisible against larger opposition.

Anyhow, it was an exciting game to watch, very fast pace on the part of Valencia at least. However, Atletico won't be this easy, especially having already beaten Valencia 3-0. Let's hope that doesn't repeat. I'm expecting a good game.

Score:

1-0 (Piatti, 42')
2-0 (Feghouli, 73')

Lineups:

Valencia CF (2): Alves, Barragan, Costa, Mathieu, Bernat, Romeu, Parejo (Banega, 80'), Jonas, Piatti (Guardado, 75'), Feghouli, Postiga (Fede, 83')
Levante (0):Navas, Pedro Lopez, Vyntra, El Adoua, Karabelas, Simao (Camarasa, 72'), Diop, Pedro Rios (Jordi Xumetra, 54'), Garcia, Ivanchitz, Barral

Ratings:

Alves (7.0) - Wasn't troubled too much most of the game. Made an excellent one-on-one save from Barral.
Barragan (5.5) - Got into excellent positions on the wing as Joao Pereira would but the cross was always disappointing.
Mathieu (6.0) - Much more active on the field, tracked back well, but let Barral get into a dangerous postition
Costa (6.0) - C overed decently, still has difficulty tracking back. We need someone faster in this position.
Bernat (7.5) - Full of energy. Exploited the Levante wing and controlled the left wing completely. Despite coming forward a lot, was much faster at tracking back than any of the two center-backs. Very Jordi Alba -like performance.
Romeu (6.5) - Linked well with Parejo and Jonas. Good passing and defensive cover.
Parejo (7.0) - Very accurate passing. Created lots of chances and controlled the midfield.
Jonas (5.5) -  Could not capitalize on his chances. Had some really good chances that should not be wasted.
Piatti (6.5) - Got the first goal of the game after capitalizing on a failure to clear by the Levante defense. Showing signs of improvement but was overshadowed by Bernat
Feghouli (7.0) - Very active and explosive on the wing and through the middle. Great goal: dribbled past multiple Levante defenders skilfully and chipped it into the top corner.
Postiga (5.0) - Really lacking performance. No energy on the field. Pabon or Alcacer would do much better.

Substitutions:
Guardado (5.5) - Not the same impact as Piatti and was overshadowed by Bernat
Banega - Not enough time
Fede - Not enough time

Feel free let us know how you feel :)
AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

Peter Lim offers 250 million euros to buy Valencia CF

Billionaire Peter Lim offer to buy Valencia CF is around the 250 million mark, which is close to the debt Valencia CF has towards Bankia, I believe the debt is about 275 million, his offer is 250 million and that would make him the owner of around 70% of the shares of the club.

The Valencia CF foundation would continue to own a stake in the club with the second biggest pie of the shares, while 3rd are the Valencia CF fans. 

Peter Lim according to reports also plant to invest about 40-50 million euros into reinforcements this winter if he is to buy the club by the 15th of January and an addition 50 million player investments in the summer.

Its unclear right now if he is going to invest in the new Mestalla stadium or not, some reports say he will invest in the new stadium and finish it and other reports say that he won't invest in it, so right now its unclear, but either way its not that big of a deal, considering everything else.

In another news Pizzi is set to arrive in Valencia and sign the contract by Friday. From what I've been told, and "disclaimer" I haven't confirmed and researched myself, Pizzi favors physical style of football with a lot of hard tackles rather than positioning, he also supposedly doesn't favor possession football much and relies fair amount on fast counter attacks. 

Match fixing in La Liga is the norm

Match fixing in Spanish leagues, especially Primera division is prevalent and the norm. Match fixing is way bigger than it was in Italy, in La Liga its systematic and supported by the governing body. Those who don't go along with it are swiftly fired.

Many teams have fixed matches, but its only the norm and standard practice for Barcelona and Real Madrid, where referees will 100 out of 100 times whistle in their favor.

This was clear yet again in Valencia CF vs Real Madrid match, where everyone saw the offside, except the referees. This has been the case vs Barcelona as well, and its EVERY YEAR. We have been seeing Valencia CF lose to the referees year, after year, after year for at least the past 4/5 years, likely more.

These are not just small mistakes, these are blatant match fixes, these are deliberate decisions to put Real Madrid and Barcelona ahead.

There should be major investigation into match fixing in La Liga, its too big, its too obvious to ignore anymore. I wrote a similar article last several months earlier as well, can't find it right now because for some reason the search functions doesn't work, but I'll link to it once I figure out why the search doesn't work and fix it.

Anyways its not accidental, its not random, when something happens again and again and again and again, its a pattern and if its a pattern that means something is creating the pattern.

Valencia CF to be sold

Valencia CF president held a press conference today announcing that Singaporean businessman and investor Peter Lim Eng Hock wants to invest in Valencia CF and buy the club.

At first Salvo was against the selling of the club, since he works for the Valencia foundation which actually owns the club, even though they actually own money to Bankia and the club as well owes money to Bankia, but never the less they still technically owned the club and of course due to their selfish interests didn't want to sell it, even though they know they are never going to be able to pay off the debt and will ultimately destroy the club with no new and fresh money into it.

So the fact that he held a press conference announcing that he wants to sell the club and that they have an investor is a really good turn of events, I really thought that Salvo is going to destroy Valencia CF and officially become the worst president ever in the history of football clubs, but I guess even for him that is too much to bear.

So great turn of events, and I've researched Peter Lim and I can tell you that he is a football fan, he watches and follows European football, he owns Manchester United themed bars and pubs in Asia, and he's made several bids to buy various football clubs in the past, though unsuccessfully so. Now the cast that he made several failed attempts to buy certain clubs actually goes against him, since it means there was something wrong or lacking that he couldn't buy any of those clubs, so this is a bit worrying to me.

His current net worth is estimated at around 2 billion and he makes his money off off various investments into all sorts of things, so he has a big portfolio of things he's invested in. I think dishing out 300-400 million euros won't be too big of a problem for him and he has the money. I mean if it all about the money, he has it, he is the real deal.

Question is what is his vision for Valencia CF, how much will he invest in players and what will be the investment to finish the stadium, and so on.... If he buys the club for 300 million euros, dishes out 150 million more to finish the stadium and another 50 million to buy players, then he spend 500 million euros out of the gate. Is he willing to make that type of investment?

And again, he is not a sheikh and doesn't have guaranteed tens of billions each year from oil or other energy, he is a self made investor, making good investments that make him money, he is not a multibillionare like some other people are. He is super wealthy, but there is a limit to what he can do and how much he can spend.

Of course 2 billion is quite a lot, but half a billion gone instantly with the investment in Valencia CF can really shake things up and make anyone question. But I trust that he is serious and knows what he is doing and that he is going to open his bag/bank account and dish out the money in Valencia CF.

I think it would be a positive thing for Valencia CF either way, at least the debt will be wiped, there is going to be new money flowing in, it can't get worse than it already is.

Valencia CF vs Real Madrid Match Preview

Valencia CF vs Real Madrid Match Preview

Stadium:  Mestalla

Date: 22:12:2013; 21:00 CET

17th matchday, La Liga

Coaches: Nico Estevez and Carlo Ancelotti

Valencia CF has been at best mediocre from the start of the season, with terrible play and even worse results, which culminated last week with the sacking of Miroslav Djukic. The sacking didn't come as a surprise to anyone and in fact it was long overdue. Current Valencia CF president Salvo waited too long to make the decision and thus the team suffered for longer than it should have. Now a new coach doesn't automatically mean the team will start playing better and get results, but at least it gives the team a chance.

Valencia CF moved fast after they sacked Djukic and instantly contacted Pizzi, acquiring about his services. He initially rejected Valencia CF as he was determined to see out his contract with San Lorenzo, but supposedly our new sporting director Ayala talked to him and was able to change his mind, with Pizzi agreeing to join Valencia CF and moving to rescind his contract with San Lorenzo. 

Now things look set and done, as he has ended his contacts and agreed to a deal with Valencia CF, the official contract signing is expected in the next 24 hours and the official announcement and taking over is expected within 48 hours. 

What can we expect from this match then? Well, I'm not going to lie, not much. I mean it would be really great if the team doesn't embarrass themselves and lose 5-0, that would be terrible. What would be a good showing is a tight match with a 1-0 loss, what would be great match is to manage a draw and what would be fantastic match would to to actually win, no matter how we achieve the win. 

I'm pretty much expecting a loss though, I'm preparing myself, so that I don't get disappointing if we lose and I had unrealistic expectations. Right now Valencia CF is a mid table team with no winning mentality, with no confidence, no style of play, no urgency in the play, nothing. 

If Real Madrid are up to their best, they should absolutely destroy this current Valencia side and win 3 or 4 goals to 0. Anything else would be considered pretty bad for them and they are already in a pecurious position on the table and anything but win would have them lose too much ground with the top 2 teams. 

I haven't been too much up to date with injuries and suspensions, but I think all players are available. Excuse me if I'm wrong, and please point it out in the comments and I'll get it fixed.

Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups): 

Formation: 4-2-3-1 

Line-up: Guaita; Joao, Ruiz, Mathieu, Guardado; Fuego, Banega, Fede; Canales, Bernat; Paco. 

Tactics: Medium defensive line, own half pressure, medium frequency wing attacks, low short passing.

Juan Antonio Pizzi will join Valencia CF

Juan Antonio Pizzi just ended his contract with San Lorenzo and is set to join Valencia CF in a couple of days, while he will most likely sign the contract with Valencia CF in the next 48 hours.

This has been a roller coaster ride as Pizzi first rejected Valencia CF as he was keep on continuing with San Lorenzo and seeing his contract out, but supposedly our new sporting director Ayala talked to Pizzi and convinced him to come to Valencia CF.

The news was confirmed by his agent Ricardo Slipper who said that Pizzi got a good offer from Valencia CF and decided to accept it.

So there you have it, Valencia CF new coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. Hopefully it will all work out and he'd be able to achieve success with Valencia CF. I'm rooting for him, because I'm rooting for Valencia CF and want the team to achieve Champions League spot, at the very least Europa League spot, but I'm hoping and targeting Champions League, even though I know its going to be very hard and I know things won't magically change, its still the same squad, the same problems are still there and it will be hard work and different work than Djukic did that can get the team on the right track.

What do you think about this? Good choice, bad choice, unsure, tell us in the comments!

Valencia CF not giving up on Pizzi

The top officials at Valencia CF are determined to bring in Juan Antonio Pizzi to Valencia and they've doubled down their efforts in trying to get him. Pizzi has said that he wants to stay and honor his contract with his current club San Lorenzo, but with increased pressure on him and better offer to him, Valencia CF is trying to make it as difficult as they can to reject them. 

Even if Pizzi was to agree to the deal, San Lorenzo would also have a word in it and Valencia CF would need to pay them for Pizzi's contract cancellation. The amount isn't too big, but it can be a legal problem to deal with. 

Close second if the deal with Juan Antonio Pizzi fails is Marcelo Bielsa, but on the short list there are other coaches like Pepe Mel, Villas-Boas, Miguel Ángel Lotina and others. 

Personally I'm not too fond of anyone if particular, if anything Pepe Mel could surprise and do really good with Valencia CF, Bielsa would be the default choice as a really experienced manager, but he is still a risk with his style he brings. 

Guus Hiddink is also a free coach, though he hasn't had much success recently, so a distant prospect if other options fail.