Next match, liga, day 5:

Valencia - Nàstic de Tarragona

Sunday 1st October 2006 at 21:00 horas. Mestalla.

Villa's too tired and I think it's time for Tavano's debut in Mestalla. I don't know whether Joaquin will be there but seems now Angulo's very hot..
No problem we win.

Tavano is still injured, I think.

And if not, Quique will assume he's injured.

Let's see, I think Gavilan and Joaquin will play this match because they weren't in CL. It has been a hard week for Valencia players with two difficult matches against Barcelona and Roma, afortunately the scores were good for us and I also think match against Nastic is for other players. I'd like watching Tavano playing in Mestalla but it's too soon since his injury and Quique believe the same, sure. But Tavano get to play for Valencia in next matches, Villa can not play every match.

This is the 2nd match of Valencia on tv that I have an opportunity to watch. For some reason, the tv network decided against picking up the Real-Atletico match. Not that I'm complaining though.

I'd like to see Valencia run up the score a bit, say like 4-0 or 5-1 so as to start padding the Goal differential a bit. Silva was quoted in the soccernet preview that Nastic could be a tough match and they shouldn't be taken for granted. Sure, I understand he has to say that, but still, I'd like to see Valencia score at least 2 or more goals to secure the victory.
Oh and I'd like to see Gavilan start the match.

Preview: Valencia–Nastic Tarragona

Valencia (3rd) v Gimnastic (13th)
When: 21:00 CET, Sunday October 1, 2006
Where: Mestalla, Valencia

It has been a great week for Quique Flores’s boys after coming through two rigorous tests with glowing results.

Ignore Us At Your Peril

The above may not have been explicitly stated from club headquarters, but the belief and measured confidence emanating from the Mestalla is palatable.

The match at Nou Camp was always going to be a key marker for the season ahead. Valencia’s start had been solid, but after a point in Barca’s back yard and impressive victory over Roma to secure maximum Champions League points to date, Los Che have sent a resounding message to domestic and continental rivals. This team must been treated with utmost caution.

The Main Rivals?

I wrote in a pre-season preview that Valencia may well turn out to be the Blaugrana’s main rivals for the championship, despite the publicity that has accompanied Real Madrid’s summer recruitment drive. Such sentiments have already been echoed by Bara wide man Ludo Giuly following last weekend’s draw, not least for the sheer size and bench quality of the squad.

Moreover, with Sami Eto’o sidelined with injury, the opportunity to capitalise on any stuttering from the champions must not be missed, and the match against Nastic is precisely the kind of contest Valencia have tossed away in recent seasons having performed well against the big guns.

A Tricky Start

Nastic themselves were dealt a fairly rigorous start to the campaign, despite securing their first victory at the very first opportunity with three points at Espanyol, on day one. They have not won since, and tackle Sevilla and Real in the next month. Having notched a point last weekend after two defeats, they will be desperate to keep spirits up, but a mountainous task lies ahead at the Mestalla, and probably the season ahead.

TEAM NEWS

Valencia

Doubts over Albelda and Canizares will be ironed out on matchday, with reserve ‘keeper Butelle on standby and Albiol possibly stepping into midfield, covering his captain’s possible absence. Joaquin should be restored to the right flank after missing Roma midweek, while Morientes is also in line to return. David Silva will either make way for him, or remain in support of the ex-Liverpool hotshot, with Villa given a rest.

Possible Starting XI: Canizares, Miguel, Navarro, Ayala, Moretti, Joaquin, Albiol, Edu, Vicente, Villa, Morientes

Nastic

The coach’s approach in attack should significantly dictate whether there are changes from the team that drew 2-2 against Racing last weekend. He may opt to soak up pressure and counter attack a Che central defence that's short of pace, which would mean the introduction of Javier Portillo to proceedings

Possible Starting XI: Bizarri, Llera, Ruz, Matellan, Oscar Lopez, Buades, Cuellar, Juan, Campano, Makukula, Porillo

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Morientes. Nando’s form and a free-flowing midfield laying on the chances has seen many a net bulge across Europe already this season. He is in excellent form together with Villa, while Silva provides another great option in support. Tavano is going to find it tough usurping any of those three.

Bizarri. The Argentine shot stopper has been around for an age but remains relatively young by goalkeeping standards. After a miserable short-lived spell at Real many moons ago, he has established himself as a solid Liga custodian. He will be a very busy one here, and a great season from him might be crucial to the teams survival.

PREDICITION

Valencia should sufficiently dazzle the Liga minnows, securing a comfortable victory.

Valencia Slaughter Nàstic

Quique’s Chés showed an absolute and total lack of pity as they welcomed Primera Liga new boys Gimnastic de Tarragona to Mestalla then tore the Catalan minnows to pieces with a great display from David Villa…

Just three minutes into the action Morientes and Mingo clashed and the Valencia marksman had to leave the pitch to get a cut brow seen to. Luckily ‘El Moro’ was able to continue and the Spanish striker beat Bizarri after Villa – looking a little offside – lapped up a lapse of concentration by the Catalans and Morientes (13 min) tapped in the generous pass.

The ref sent Coach Luis César Sampedro off in the 20th minute for dissent, leaving Nàstic without their commander and easier prey for the unforgiving Chés. Joaquín was finally showing signs of understanding with his new team mates and stabbed along the Catalan flank with style and speed.

Cuéllar almost snatched a goal as Albiol was close to putting the ball past Cañizares. The same Valencia player was lucky that the ref didn’t see a clear elbow into Portillo (ex-Real Madrid) as they both rose for an aerial ball. Nevertheless Nàstic were playing far back and too conservatively for Cuéllar and Portillo to make a real impact.

Villa ripped up the right flank with a burst of speed that highlighted just how good the Chés are off the mark and how difficult it is for anything other than an unforced error or a tactical foul to stop this team. The only ‘but’ is the amount of offsides created – some fair and some foul as it’s hard for the referee and linesmen to keep up sometimes.

Villa was carded for non-stop complaining about being called offside – although the last few times he had been, there were other times that the decision was a tough one: even with a rewind button. The game reached the 45th minute with Valencia in the lead and Nástic showing no real signs of being able to make a comeback.

As play renewed Mingo was carded for a harsh tackle on Joaquín and soon after Valencia went two up through the incombustible Villa. The surprisingly unmarked player received a short free kick and Villa (53 min) banged a rocket from the edge of the Catalan area past Bizarri to seal Nàstic’s fate. Nine minutes later he slammed a shot off Bizarri’s crossbar.

Morientes and Joaquín went off to sonorous applause from the Mestalla terraces and the game continued on its way to a safe win for the team from the banks of the Turia. Villa (79 min) was rewarded for his limitless hunger as the Chés ripped up field with a whiplash counter-attack spearheaded by Gavilán who dribbled Bizarri and ceded possession to give Villa his brace.

The scoring didn’t stop there as Nàstic were reeling and almost begging to take another goal. This happened as super sub Angulo (83 min) netted the fourth just after Villa went off to a standing ovation from the Mestalla faithful. The slippery Silva was also burning to score, although his sparky moves weren’t rewarded he’s definitely a player to take into account in future. Makukula tried to nab a consolation goal but it wasn’t to be: a champion win for the Chés despite the lack of stiff competition.

VALENCIA CF (4): Cañizares; Curro Torres, Navarro and Moretti; Raúl Albiol, Albelda, Edu, Gavilán and Joaquín; Morientes and Villa
Coach: Quique Sánchez Flores

GIMNASTIC DE TARRAGONA (0): Bizarri; Ruz, Julio Cáceres, Matellán, Mingo and Campano; Juan, Cuéllar and Abel Buades; Makukula and Portillo
Coach: Luis César Sampedro

Great Victory!!!!!!! Let's have 2 weeks rest then enjoy more victories. Except Villa, Albelda and Angulo..

It's been a nice game. We have totally deserved victory, and I think Valencia could score once or twice more. Another great match by Villa; Edu and Albelda also played very well. Morientes has signed his best season start, scoring 3 goals in the 3 games he has played.