With the winter break in LaLiga just a few weeks away, Valencia CF need to address their dismal current form if they want to avoid a tough relegation battle in the New Year. Especially worrying is the team’s away performances. So far, from the seven league games this season not played at the Mestalla…they have secured a meagre two points from a possible twenty-one! On top of this, they have only mustered three goals whilst on foreign soil.  A goalless stalemate at Leganés and a 1-1 draw at Getafe are the only successes from their travels.

Ironically, in all the three games they have scored on their travels they have taken an early lead. In week two at the Estadio de Balaídos in Vigo,  Diego López scored in the first quarter of the game… only for Los Che to later concede three. In late October, a first potential victory was thrown away in Madrid when the visitors conceded a soft late penalty to Getafe.

On Valencia’s recent visit to Mallorca they looked to be in control against the islanders before losing concentration on the stroke of half time, to allow an equaliser. A goal, ten minutes from time, for the Balearic team ensured that Valencia headed back to the mainland pointless.

In virtually all the league games played away from the Mestalla, Valencia have started well and been in contention for points deep into the second period of the match. Undisciplined decisions and mental lapses have proved costly.  If the second part of the season does not yield victories or at least quadruple the current away point intake, then relegation to Liga Hypermotion could be a distinct possibility.

At home, things are barely any better. Take away the victory over Betis when emotions were high and the statistics look pretty grim. Recent losses to Las Palmas and Rayo Vallecano highlight that the Mestalla is not the fortress for Valencia that it once was.

Another serious worry is regarding the actual performances themselves. Valencia were spared relegation last year by an excellent start to their 2023-24 league campaign. If the latter part of this season mirrors that of the previous one, then the drama of needing points from the encounter in Sevilla with Real Betis towards the end of May on the last day of the season could be a very possible scenario.

Injuries also seem to be on the increase this term with Foulquier being the latest acquisition to the side lines. With Gayà just returning from a long lay-off, he looks to have had a re-occurrence of his long standing injury. With Correia and Diakhaby unlikely to return anytime soon, a foray in the winter transfer window for a defender seems highly likely. Not preparing for such a position makes the decision to offload Cenk and Cömert to Valladolid earlier this year seem questionable.

A creative midfielder with experience would definitely be a welcome addition in January and an out and out striker could be on the shopping list as well. The latter has been appeased somewhat by the decision to discreetly bring Rafa Mir back onto the roster. Infact, he received some playing time and bagged a goal in the recent Copa Del Rey match. Germán Valera could also see more playing time in 2025.

Rumours on social media swirled about a potential suspension for fellow striker Diego López for the rest of the season due to internal discipline issues and poor attitude. Whether this was fake news or an attempt to scare the Turón-born striker into a self-reflection period is a topic for conversation. Indeed, he appeared a few days after the social media releases in the starting line-up for Los Che against Mallorca.

Whatever the truth, the dressing room needs to be a happy one and to be gelled as a unit as the battle to move up the table gets to crunch time.

One plus for Valencia could be the way the team have quietly progressed to the last 32 of the Copa Del Rey. Away victories with a largely second-string team against CP Parla Escuela and SD Ejea respectively, means they will at least have some silverware to chase after in the next few months. A long run in the cup could have either a positive or negative impact on their league status.

Going deep in the competition could boost confidence and give fans something to cheer about, but it could adversely add to the injury list and create fatigue for some of the players at the business end of the season.

Levante UD have no such worries having already been eliminated from the King’s Cup by Pontevedra. Their next three games before the year is out are against teams in mid-table position. Two wins from their matches at home against Cordoba and Huesca and something from the away match with Albacete later this month would put Los Granotas in a good place going into January 2025.

For lovers of Liga F, Valencia ladies have their marquee home game with Barcelona mid-December. The Catalans have won all eleven games they have played in the league this campaign, whilst Valencia have not won a game from their nine starts and are firmly rooted at the bottom of the table. A victory for the hosts would be a major upset and is not insurmountable.

Having lost many of their star players from recent times, the Levante women are also struggling at the foot of the division. Unlike Valencia, who lost to Cacereño in the third round, the team from the North of the city are still in the Copa de la Reina, but face a tough match and a long trip to Huesca just before Christmas to advance to the next round.

Report by John Howden

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

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