Valencia CF vs Atletico Madrid Match Preview
Stadium: Mestalla
Date: 04.10.2014; 16:00 CET
7th matchday, La Liga
Coaches: Nuno Santos and Diego Simeone
Valencia CF managed to only get 1 point in the last match, though judging by the performance the team was lucky to get away with a draw and Real Sociedad proved to be worthy opponent and had several chances for victory, though the in form Diego Alves was on point and was able to make several important saves.
Since then the team has had time to rest though and its Atletico Madrid who are coming a little tired into this match due to their Champions League match, so that and the home terrain and Valencia CF should be looking at a win here, its going to be very important to continue with the good start to the season and put some distance between Valencia CF and its rivals, including Atletico Madrid.
Back to the squad to face Atletico Madrid is Pablo Piatti who didn't feature in the last match due to slight injury worry, but now he is fully fit and ready to play again. Surprisingly the coach played Mustafi over Ruben Vezo last match and I though the defense was actually less stable than with Vezo in. So it will be interesting to see who plays this match.
Atletico Madrid have had a somewhat slow start to the season, sure they won the cup, but then had few poor results by their standards in the Spanish league and the Champions league, but they have since bounced back and are floating on top of the table.
They had just dismantled Sevilla the week before and with their newly gained confidence and morale boost they would be looking to be victorious at the Mestalla and take home 3 points from this match. Atletico Madrid have been solid defensively, just as last season, though at times have struggled to score goals. Its clear that they don't have the kind of firepower at goal as with Diego Costa, but they are still finding goals, even if they sometimes struggle for them.
Valencia CF squad:
Goalkeepers: Alves, Yoel.
Defenders: Barragán, João Cancelo, Vezo, Otamendi, Mustafi, Gayà, Orban.
Midfielders: Javi Fuego, Felipe Augusto, André Gomes, Dani Parejo, Feghouli, Carles Gil, De Paul, Pablo Piatti.
Forwards: Paco Alcácer, Rodrigo Moreno.
Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):
Formation: 4-3-3
Line-up: Diego; Barragan, Vezo, Otamendi, Gaya; Fuego, Gomes, Parejo; Feghouli, Paco, Moreno.
Tactics: Low defensive line, own half pressure, midfield triangle, short passing, offside trap, deep laying defensive midfielder.
Match Predictions:
Valencia CF 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Valencia CF have the freshness and home ground advantage going into this game, but Atletico Madrid are last years champion and are showing that they area a contender this year as well, so will that be enough? Last match Valencia CF had problems and even though the players were tired from the short breaks between matches it can't be an excuse.
Both clubs have strong defenses, but both are prone to mistakes, we know Atletico can concede a lot of goals if the match gets out of their control, so I expect both teams to score one goal and then be steady at that, ending the match in a draw.