Valencia CF are slowly but surely inching their way out of the relegation zone and transforming the season from one of frustration and despair to optimism for the future. Since the arrival of Carlos Corberán, the atmosphere has changed and a positive vibe has replaced a nervy defensiveness, a trait that is reflected in results and a steady climb up the table. Two crucial home wins against Valladolid and Mallorca coupled with credible draws in Girona and Pamplona means Los Che were unbeaten in March and are displaying top of the table form in the process. Indeed, they would be in fourth position going purely on the results they have had since Corberán took over from Baraja.
A major factor in the change of fortune has been the performances of two of the forwards Umar Sadiq and Diego López. Sadiq, who is on loan from Real Sociedad, is proving to be a strong target man and willing worker who releases a lot of pressure on the defence and midfield. His penetrating runs have resulted in three goals from the last five games.
This was particularly evident in the match with Osasuna when the Nigerian scored a brace in the 3-3 draw. His second goal, a brilliant ‘backheel’ was especially eye-catching and was chosen by EA Sports fans as the La Liga goal of the month.
Diego López has been even more prolific, having scored in four out of his five league games for the club, including the recent winner in the contest with Mallorca.
The Turón-born striker, who was born just 20 minutes from David Villa’s birthplace in Asturias, is beginning to flourish under the new manager, after looking out of sorts and uncomfortable under the regime of Rubén Baraja.
A big test for the striking duo and the rest of the team came with club’s next game… against Real Madrid, in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
The team from the capital are finalists in the Copa Del Rey, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and battling it out for La Liga with Barcelona.
Valencia were without Gaya, Foulquier and Luis Rioja due to suspension whilst Courtois sustained an injury whilst on international duty for Belgium, deeming him unavailable for the hosts. The visitors gave a full debut to Max Aarons who has become the first Englishman to play for Los Che.
The pace of Mbappé and Bellingham soon became evident and an issue for the Valencia defenders and the speed of the former gave Madrid a golden chance to take the lead when he broke the offside trap leaving Tárrega trailing. A clumsy challenge by the Valencia defender led to a penalty and a potential red card.
A VAR review allowed Tárrega to stay on the field by which time Vinicius Junior had pronounced to Mbappé that he would take the spot kick. The Brazilian, who was making his 200th La Liga appearance shot tamely to Marmardashvili’s left hand side. Guessing correctly, the Georgian stopper made a simple save.
Valencia went straight down the pitch and gained a corner. From that they took the lead through a powerful header from Diakhaby. It was a sweet moment for the defender who sustained a dreadful injury against the same opponents last year but at Mestalla. That terrible incident had kept him sidelined for 8 months.
Inevitably, Madrid attacked and soon Valencia seemed to be in trouble in their own box. The Guinean international and Valencia CF defender then had a slice of good fortune… even though his clearance with the outside of the foot went astray and smashed into the Valencia net. After consultation, Diakhaby’s own goal was disallowed as VAR showed Mbappé was just offside… to the relief of the away fans!
Real Madrid continued to probe the opposition’s goal but could not find the equalizer before half time. Five minutes into the second half, the inevitable happened and it was that man Vinicius Junior that levelled the score.
From then on the majority of the game was played in the Valencia half but a ‘sucker punch’ in injury time gave the visitors three points and their first win in the iconic Bernabéu stadium in 17 years. Hugo Duro was the hero, planting a bullet header past the debutant Fran González after moving onto a pinpoint cross from Rafa Mir. The transformation continues.
International football returned to the Mestalla last month and what a game the UEFA Nations League game was. Rewarded to Valencia by RFEF after the DANA, with proceeds going towards the relief effort, it was the first time the Men’s National team had played on the club’s home turf since 2019 when they beat Norway 2-1 in the Euro qualifiers.
It was the 33rd time in total that the Spanish men had graced the Mestalla, the first being in 1925 when they hosted Italy.
The match was sold out and a mass of orange swarmed around Avenida de Suecia before the game as the Dutch supporters came out in force to create a carnival atmosphere.
With the game evenly poised after a first leg 2-2 draw at the De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, the hosts took the lead in the 8th minute when Oyarzabal picked himself off the floor after being bundled over by the Brighton defender Jan Paul Van Hecke to easily convert the adjudged penalty.
Netherlands themselves were then awarded a spot kick ten minutes into the second half which Memphis Depay calmly slotted home.
End to end play saw additional goals for Oyarzabal for Spain, and then Maatsen, a debutant for the Dutch, to send the pulsating game into extra time.
Yamal put Spain ahead for the third time of the game in the first period of extra time, but another penalty awarded by the referee Clement Turpin was dispatched past Unai Simon by Xavi Simons to send the match into a penalty shoot-out.
The first opportunity to capitalise came the way of Spain when Lang had his spot kick rebound of the crossbar but soon after Yamal saw his lazy effort saved by the Dutch keeper Verbruggen.
The home side then had a second chance when Malen had his shot stopped by Unai and this time Pedri made no mistake with his effort to set up a semi-final contest later this summer in Germany against France.
Meanwhile Levante UD quietly go about their business and goal of automatic promotion. Results were going in favour of Los Granotas until a solitary goal defeat at the hands of Almeria in their last outing. Next up, is the top of the table clash with Racing Santander at the Ciutat de Valencia which gives Levante UD the perfect platform to get back on track.
Despite a couple of good results for the Valencia women’s team they still look destined for relegation. The Levante women are fighting doggedly to remain in the top flight of La Liga F and with six games left to play they are just outside the relegation zone above Real Betis. Both have tough run-ins but the situation looks a lot more positive for the Levante ladies than it did a month ago.
Report by John Howden
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
Valencia CF
Valencia v Sevilla 11 April 21.00h
Vallecano v Valencia 19 April 14.00h
Valencia v Espanyol 22 April 19.00h
Las Palmas v Valencia 4 May tbc
Levante UD
Levante v Santander 6 April 16.15h
Cordoba v Levante 11 April 20.30h
Levante v Zaragoza 19 April 18.30h
Oviedo v Levante 26 April 16.15h
Levante v Tenerife 4 May tbc
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