La Liga Preview: Valencia - Real Zaragoza
Valencia (15th, 42pts) v Real Zaragoza (16th, 41pts)
When: 20:00 CET - Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Where: Mestalla, Valencia
La Liga Preview: Valencia - Real Zaragoza
There would not have been many people last summer that would have believed that Valencia and Real Zaragoza would be gearing up to meet in a relegation six-pointer with three games of the current season remaining, but that is exactly what is happening.
Both clubs have underachieved on a huge scale and now face the very real prospect of making a dramatic dip into la Segunda, unless they can secure enough points to scramble away from Recreativo and Osasuna.
Valencia have had the worse year of the two, simply for the fact that the strength in their squad should never have seen them be in this position, even if some of the cracks have been papered over by triumph in the Copa del Rey.
Those cracks were duly exposed all too clearly on Sunday when Barcelona put six past the hapless Timo Hildebrand and los Ché were met at the airport by supporters with nowhere else to turn.
In a year of disastrous decision-making, the players are the last ones to be turned upon by the fans following the exit of a president and a coach after Juan Soler and Ronald Koeman left the club.
When Quique Sánchez Flores was sacked it appeared to be a rash decision, simply because one of the main reasons coming out of the club was that the football was not entertaining enough.
Style Council
Being in the Champions League, four points from the leaders in la Primera and producing results all round was not good enough for Soler and his board and so a change was made.
Warnings were made in the Spanish media about Koeman and how it was a huge gamble and they proved to be right with the Valencia squad not taking to the Dutchman and his new way of doing things at all.
Outcasting three of the club's main players was bemusing and, ultimately, a huge mistake because it is hard to see how Santi Cañizares, David Albelda and Miguel Ángel Angulo would not have helped the cause.
A change in style was demanded from the board and Koeman tried to bring in his system, but his greatest failing was his unwillingness to change it when it did not produce results.
Instead he ploughed on and his stubborness eventually earned him the sack after Soler had walked out and left new president Agustín Morera to do the job for him.
Great Expectations
At Zaragoza, it may have only been five seasons since they spent a year in la Segunda, but the progress made at the club last term meant that expectations were really high.
Víctor Fernández had returned in the summer of 2006 and lifted the club up to sixth place this time last year, earning them a spot in the UEFA Cup and predictions of a bright future were made.
The summer transfer market was not used wisely enough and the team was not as strong in the opening weeks of a campaign that has seen los Maños struggle under four different coaches to pull clear of the drop zone.
Last weekend's late, late winner against Deportivo did lift them, but Zaragoza remain one point above 18th placed Osasuna, while Valenica are two points away from the drop zone.
RECENT FORM
Valencia
Match Result Date Championship
Barcelona - Valencia 6 - 0 04/05/2008 LA LIGA
Valencia - Osasuna 3 - 0 27/04/2008 LA LIGA
Athletic Bilbao - Valencia 5 - 1 20/04/2008 LA LIGA
Getafe - Valencia 1 - 3 16/04/2008 COPA DEL REY
Valencia - Racing 1 - 2 12/04/2008 LA LIGA
Murcia - Valencia 1 - 0 06/04/2008 LA LIGA
Real Zaragoza
Match Result Date Championship
Zaragoza - Deportivo 1 - 0 03/05/2008 LA LIGA
Espanyol - Zaragoza 1 - 1 27/04/2008 LA LIGA
Zaragoza - Recreativo 3 - 0 19/04/2008 LA LIGA
Getafe - Zaragoza 0 - 0 13/04/2008 LA LIGA
Zaragoza - Betis 0 - 3 06/04/2008 LA LIGA
Valladolid - Zaragoza 2 - 1 30/03/2008 LA LIGA
TEAM NEWS
Valencia
Squad: Cañizares, Hildebrand, Miguel, Marchena, Albiol, Helguera, Alexis, Albelda, Edu, Joaquín, Mata, Vicente, Ever, Silva, Baraja, Arizmendi, Angulo, Zigic, Villa.
Real Zaragoza
Squad: César, López Vallejo, Diogo, Paredes, Óscar, Ayala, Luccin, Aimar, Sergio García, Juanfran, Oliveira, Gabi, Pavón, Matuzalem, Diego Milito, Chus Herrero, Valero, Zapater, Sergio Fernández.
PREDICTION
Valencia do have home advantage, but that could actually work against them because if they do not produce after the first few minutes then their supporters are certain to turn on the team. The six-goal drubbing at Camp Nou hurt and the fans are not happy and will not accept any player who is not giving everything to the side. Zaragoza are not exactly in shining form either, but they will be buoyed by last weekend's win and could have enough in the tank to earn a point here.
Valencia 1 - 1 Real Zaragoza
Lucas Brown, Goal.com