Valencia CF vs Celta Vigo
Stadium: Mestalla
Date: 15.09.2012; 18:00 CET
4th matchday, La Liga
Coaches: Mauricio Pellegrino and Paco Herrera
Valencia CF
Valencia CF is coming to this match after a loss to Barcelona and with only 2 points from three played matches. Just as a reminder Valencia CF went to a great start to the season with a draw against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, but then stumbled at the Mestalla against Deportivo, against who we dropped a 2 goals lead in the first half and only managed a draw, before loosing, albeit some would say unfairly to Barcelona, with one very suspect decision by the linesman disallowing a clear goal as offside.
Anyways we can't dwell on a refereeing decision and live in the past so we must look towards out next match which is against Celta Vigo and Valencia must look to win, its that simple. We are now over the two biggest obstacles in the league in Real Madrid and Barcelona and at their stadiums nonetheless, but tomorrow is a must win situation before things get messy, at the least.
Celta Vigo is going to be a tough opponent that's for sure and with Valencia experiencing trouble with injuries its probably going to spell another partnership between Tino Costa and Daniel Parejo in the middle of the park. We all know what happened last time when the pair played together, so this is a major concern for tomorrows game. David Albelda got injured earlier and will be out for about a month, so our only pure defensive midfielder in injured and out for a month and the second player that could play as a defensive midfielder decently Gago, well he got injured as well in his last match for Argentina, after an opposing player fell on his head. Also injured are Jeremy Mathieu and Pablo Piatti.
Mauricio Pellegrino called up Portu and Gaya from the B team, Portu is a defensive midfielder, while Gaya is a left back or a left wing. Its difficult predicting what the coach is going to do, since he is so new and I know I would have trouble choosing the midfield duo after the disastrous result last time, but I mean is a B team player better than Parejo? I really feel for Pellegrino, he is already under pressure and the Spanish Valencia fans aren't known for being patient. I mean he didn't get a pure defensive midfielder in the summer transfer window, he only has 3 defenders and Pablo Hernandez left in the last days of the transfer window. As if that wasn't enough the main back-up for the right wing Piatti got injured and will be out for at least a month.
Whatever the case may be though everyone will be expecting a win tomorrow and nothing less. I expect a win, you expect a win and realistically so, as Valencia CF has quality and our attack has been very potent between Jonas and Soldado, Valdez seems very energetic when he's on the terrain. The problem though is both the wings haven't fired up yet, Feghuoli is a shadow from last season and Guarado hasn't shown even a glimpse from his Deportivo form, so they need to step up their game immensely at this point.
The midfield without Albelda and Gago is a problem as well, and as I've said its going to be a problem for Pellegrino to choose. Celta Vigo isn't known for their midfield prowess or close, but neither were Deportivo and they looked like a top team playing against us in that second half.
Valencia CF squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Alves, Guaita.
Defenders: Barragán, Rami, Víctor Ruiz, Ricardo Costa, Cissokho, Pereira.
Midfielders: Dani Parejo, Tino Costa, Gayá, Portu, Bernat, Guardado, Feghouli, Viera.
Forwards: Valdez, Jonas i Soldado.
Celta Vigo are coming from the second division after they've finished second last season behind Deportivo La Coruna. They are coming to the first division after a long pause, basically since 2006/7 when they were knocked down to the second division.
One of their better known players is Hugo Mallo who's been linked with Valencia CF on several occasions, especially last season, but this season as well. Other than that, there is Javi Varas the goalkeeper who is on loan at Celta from Sevilla.
Celta Vigo squad: to be announced...
Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Line-up: Diego; Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Cissokho; Parejo, Tino Costa; Feghuoli, Jonas, Guardado; Soldado.
Tactics: High defensive line, own half pressure, counterattacking, mostly short wide passing, deep laying central midfield.
Results Prediction:
Valencia CF 2-0 Celta Vigo
There are no more excuses left and Valencia CF must win against Celta Vigo. Mauricio Pellegrino is already under pressure and anything but win will surely start the alarm bells for many. He also knows what to expect from the players by now and knows them well enough to be able to make smarter decision so I'm expecting a regular win tomorrow that shouldn't have any surprises.
Valencia CF squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Alves, Guaita.
Defenders: Barragán, Rami, Víctor Ruiz, Ricardo Costa, Cissokho, Pereira.
Midfielders: Dani Parejo, Tino Costa, Gayá, Portu, Bernat, Guardado, Feghouli, Viera.
Forwards: Valdez, Jonas i Soldado.
Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo on the other hand come after a home win against Osasuna. This was an important win for Celta Vigo as it had two defeats previously at the hands of Malaga and Real Sociedad and win the last match win they are now 13th on the table. Celta Vigo is likely to fight to avoid relegation this season and as such they are going to be looking at getting a point from the match against Valencia CF.Celta Vigo are coming from the second division after they've finished second last season behind Deportivo La Coruna. They are coming to the first division after a long pause, basically since 2006/7 when they were knocked down to the second division.
One of their better known players is Hugo Mallo who's been linked with Valencia CF on several occasions, especially last season, but this season as well. Other than that, there is Javi Varas the goalkeeper who is on loan at Celta from Sevilla.
Celta Vigo squad: to be announced...
Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Line-up: Diego; Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Cissokho; Parejo, Tino Costa; Feghuoli, Jonas, Guardado; Soldado.
Tactics: High defensive line, own half pressure, counterattacking, mostly short wide passing, deep laying central midfield.
Results Prediction:
Valencia CF 2-0 Celta Vigo
There are no more excuses left and Valencia CF must win against Celta Vigo. Mauricio Pellegrino is already under pressure and anything but win will surely start the alarm bells for many. He also knows what to expect from the players by now and knows them well enough to be able to make smarter decision so I'm expecting a regular win tomorrow that shouldn't have any surprises.