Valencia CF vs Lyon Match Preview
Stadium: Mestalla
Date: 09.12.2015 20:45 CET
UCL Group Stage - Matchday 6
Coaches: Gary Neville and Hubert Fournier
The Mestalla experienced an excellent comback from Valencia CF, against arugably the best team in LA LIGA, Barcelona FC. The appointment of Gary Neville has brought a new enthusiasm within the players and the fans, no wonder nearly 3000 fans turned up at the Paterna to watch Gary Neville conduct his first training session. However, there are people who are skeptical about Gary's appointment, and only time will tell, if his appointment was a good or a bad move by Peter Lim. Valencia CF look full of confidence after playing Barcelona, though they just drew the game, it was one of the most intense games Valencia CF have played this season. We can expect the Mestalla to be full again, as the club is selling highly discounted tickets, so that no seat remains vacant for the one of the most important games of the season against Lyon.
Lyon have had a terrible start to their season, losing 5 out of their last 7 games played. If we look at their UCL stats, this can be their worst performance ever in the UCL. Curently standing on 5th place in Ligue 1, their team morale is at its lowest, something which isn't helpful when you take that corner from the Curva Nord. Fortunately for Valencia CF, Lyon don't have a good track record against Valencia CF, having played 3 games against Los Che and losing all of them. Valbuena will be their main player, trying to create chances for their strikers. He was heavily linked with Valencia CF in the past, however, that deal didn't go through.
Gary Neville, had an intensive traning session with the lads at Valencia CF. He even installed special video cameras and has brought in video technicians to record every single move happening on the training ground. He was seen training and spending a lot of time with Mustafi as he is back from injury, I feel Neville will start Mustafi and Abdennour, a defensive pair I have been waiting to watch the entire season. Negredo is back in the squad, however, I feel he won't start the game, but maybe will substitute Paco or Santi Mina later on. Cancelo is back after missing the game against Barcelone, where Vezo looked extremely weak against Neymar. Cancelo is one of Mendes' clients, who I believe was a very good buy along with A. Gomes. He has developed tremendously over the last several months. I see Danilo starting this game over Javi Fuego, as Danilo brings in some attacking capabilities with him and is more versatile, however, Fuego brings in way more experience in such big games.
Lyon players to look out for - Valbuena,Gonalons and Lacazette
Valencia CF Squad:
Goalkeepers: Doménech, Ryan
Defenders: Cancelo, Abdennour, Santos, Gaya, Mustafi
Midfielders: Javi Fuego, Danilo, Enzo Perez, Parejo, Tropi, Nacho Gil, De Paul
Defenders: Cancelo, Abdennour, Santos, Gaya, Mustafi
Midfielders: Javi Fuego, Danilo, Enzo Perez, Parejo, Tropi, Nacho Gil, De Paul
Forwards: Negredo, Paco Alcácer, Santi Mina
Technical Details Valencia CF (probable setups):
Formation: 4-4-2
Line-up: Jaume; Cancelo, Mustafi, Abdennour, Gaya; Perez, Parejo, Danilo, De Paul, Paco, Santi Mina.
Formation: 4-4-2
Line-up: Jaume; Cancelo, Mustafi, Abdennour, Gaya; Perez, Parejo, Danilo, De Paul, Paco, Santi Mina.
Tactics: Strong possession play, through passes, wing attacks, low defensive pressure
Prediction: 2-0
