Villarreal - Deportivo
 

Liga Preview: Villarreal-Deportivo
Villarreal - Deportivo | Latest News | Match Preview | News Archive

Looking out for another defeat (Allsport)
10/18/2002. BACKGROUND

These last four weeks have been something of a roller-coaster for Deportivo: a poor drubbing against Milan and a surprising home defeat by Santander underlined Juan Carlos Valeron's absence weighed a lot on their chances in Europe and at home.

Team morale is set to hit rock bottom after devastating news emerged about goalkeeper Molina's recurring cancer. The 32-year old portero has suspended his career to enable treatment on his testicular cancer.

It'll be up for coach Javier Irureta to shake up the team and produce the goods. While Valeron's absence is embarrassing, the return of Diego Tristan and his fruitful partnership with Roy Makaay should be explosive.

Villarreal are not exactly in an indeal situation in Primera Liga: the Yellow Submarines are lingering in 17th position and face a struggle against relegation this season.

Argentine star Martin Palermo hinted for the first time the possibility of him going back to his home country. This move could be preceded by a transfer to a bigger club with Palermo willing to "win something before going home".

TEAM NEWS

No need to mention Valeron and Molina won't be there for Depor. Juanmi Garcia will hold his place between the sticks, while Hector and Romero should return in defence. Aldo Duscher and Mauro Silva are to be paired in midfield, while Diego Tristan and Makaay will be leading Depor's frontline.

New coach Benito Floro underlined the fundamental need to pick up points at home. His 4-4-2 lineup will not include Javi Venta nor Carlos Aranda or Jesus Galvan.

LATEST FORM GUIDE

Villarreal (last six, all comps): DLLLDD
A bleak picture painted by Villarreal in recent weeks was worsened by embarrassing results in the Copa: the Yellow Submarines were sunk by Hercules in the Spanish Cup. Their chronic inability to win games could put them in trouble by judgement day.

Deportivo (last six, all comps): WWLWWL
Juan Carlos Valeron's absence is ever so important at Depor, who went down to a 0-4 CL defeat against free-scoring Milan and a 0-2 faux pas versus Racing Santander.

PROBABLES

Villarreal: López Vallejo, Quique Alvarez, Ballesteros, Unai, Arruabarrena, Belletti, Marcos Senna, Josico, Jorge López, Víctor, Martín Palermo.

Deportivo: Juanmi; Héctor, César, Naybet, Romero, Duscher, Mauro Silva, Scaloni, Fran, Makaay, Diego Tristán.

soccerage

Liga Report: Depor Stunned By Resurgent Villarreal
Villarreal - Deportivo | Latest News | Match Report | News Archive

10/20/2002. Villarreal got made themselves a favour by registering their first victory of the season after they came from behind to earn a deserved 3-1 win over Deportivo Coruna.

It looked rosy for Depor as the Galicians took the lead after 8 minutes when Victor Sanchez directed a Fran free kick into the net with a sharp header.

But Villarreal fought back and got their lucky break three minutes into the second half when defender Cesar miscued his clearance from a harmless cross and sent the ball spinning into his own net.

Victor Fernandez gave Villarreal the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half and despite being reduced to 10 men after defender Unai was sent off they continued to attack and grabbed a third when Brazilian international Juliano Belletti headed home in the dying minutes.

soccerage