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Tag: Valencia

  • Barcelona hit six against Valencia as Rashford makes first assist

    Barcelona hit six against Valencia as Rashford makes first assist

    Barcelona thrashed Valencia with Marcus Rashford involved in a La Liga goal for the first time.

    Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski scored two goals each for the Spanish champions.

    Half-time substitute Raphinha’s first goal – to make it 2-0 – came from a brilliant left-wing cross from England forward Rashford.

    The Manchester United loanee, making his second start for Barca, played 67 minutes and had two efforts off target in a lively outing.

    Lopez had run onto Ferran Torres’ ball to net their opener and smashed in a fantastic strike from outside the box to make it 3-0. Raphinha then rifled in their fourth.

    Read Also: Rashford raps Man United over flays constant managerial changes

    Lewandowski, also a substitute, finished off Dani Olmo’s pass and then dinked in a sixth – a goal given by the video assistant referee after initially being ruled offside.

    Barca could easily have won by more goals, with Torres also hitting the post after a Rashford cross was flicked into his path.

    The game was played at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, where Barca’s B team usually play, because the Nou Camp is not ready yet after being redeveloped.

  • Playing at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium excites Umar

    Playing at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium excites Umar

    Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar has counted  himself lucky to be  playing  at the  Valencia’s iconic Mestalla stadium. 

    The Nigerian who wrote on his social media page stated that it was a dream for him to play for the club after he swapped Real Sociedad for Valencia in the January transfer on loan.

    Following a disappointing first half of the season at Real Sociedad, in which he played in 11 games with no goals and just one assist, Umar joined the relegation-threatened Valencia in January in an attempt to revive his career and help them achieve their goal of remaining in La Liga.

    In nine La Liga games since then, the 28-year-old has scored four goals, including a spectacular flick against Osasuna that was voted as the March goal of the month in La Liga. The Nigerian’s notable progress since joining Valencia was also highlighted by his nomination as player of the month.

    His performances have coincided with an improvement in Valencia’s form as the La Liga side have only been beaten thrice in 14 games since the Nigerian striker made his debut in a Copa Del Rey clash against Eldense.

    Read Also: Valencia count on Sadiq Umar goals to escape relegation

    The recent form of Valencia has also been attributed to the appointment of Carlos Corberan as head coach, who took over from Ruben Baraja as the team struggled for survival. Due to their improved results, the team now sit 15th on 31 points, 4 points clear of the relegation zone.

    Few days after their most recent win against Mallorca, Umar wrote on his official Instagram account, “Living a dream, playing in Mestalla is a dream,” as he reflected on his time at Valencia.

    While he is currently on loan, Umar’s recent post suggests that he may be open to signing permanently with Valencia when the summer transfer window opens. However, his recent form may also have attracted interest from other European teams.

    In the meantime, he and Valencia will hope to continue their fight for survival when they face Real Madrid on Saturday, April 5. With safety looking feasible, Corberan’s team will be desperate to avoid any slip-up that could take them back into the relegation zone.

  • Things to know ahead of Mallorca, Valencia clash

    Things to know ahead of Mallorca, Valencia clash

    The first game of Match-day 15 of the 2024/25 Laliga season will take place at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, home of Mallorca, where they will be taking on Valencia.

    The hosts have six wins in 14 league games and are in eighth place in the league table with 21 points while Los Che has two wins and is in 18th place in the table with 10 points.

    Mallorca came back to winning ways after three games in the league last week, with a 3-2 away triumph over Las Palmas.

    Mallorca vs Valencia Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

    The two teams have met 70 times in all competitions. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings with 39 wins. Los Piratas have 16 wins and 15 games have ended in draws.

    The hosts are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Los Ches. The two league meetings between them last season ended in draws.

    Mallorca have failed to score in three of their last six home games in La Liga while also keeping three clean sheets.

    Valencia are winless in their travels this season, suffering four losses in six away games. They have also failed to score in four games during that period.

    Los Piratas have suffered one loss in their last six home meetings against the visitors. They have failed to score in one game while keeping two clean sheets.

    Venue and Time

    Estadi Mallorca Son Moix

    KO: 9:00 pm

    Predicted Lineups

    Mallorca (predicted lineup):

    Dominik Greif, Mateu Morey, Martin Valjent, Antonio Raillo, Johan Mojica, Manu Morlanes, Samu, Robert Navarro, Sergi Darder, Daniel Rodriguez, Cyle Larin.

    Read Also: Valencia match postponed after floods in Spain

    Valencia (predicted lineup):

    Giorgi Mamardashvili, Cristhian Mosquera, Cesar Tarrega, Yarek Gasiorowski, Dimitri Foulquier, Jose Gaya, Diego Lopez, Pepelu, Enzo Barrenechea, Luis Rioja, Hugo Duro.

    Mallorca vs Valencia prediction

    Valencia is steadily improving and recently impressed Spanish football fans with a decisive 4-2 victory over Betis in their last La Liga match. Over their last five games, the “Bats” have lost only once, a narrow 2-3 defeat to Las Palmas.

    On the other hand, Mallorca, while known for its gritty and hard-fought style, has struggled to maintain consistent results. Considering the current statistics, a low-scoring match seems the most likely outcome.

    The games are perceived to produce fewer goals.

    Under 2.5 goals

    Full-Time Draw

    1-1 draw 

  • Valencia match postponed after floods in Spain

    Valencia match postponed after floods in Spain

    Valencia’s Copa del Rey match against Parla Escuela has been postponed after the devastating flash floods in Spain.

    At least 62 people have died after torrential rain in the country, with the town of Chiva, near Valencia, receiving more than a year’s worth of rain in eight hours.

    Valencia’s away game against the sixth-tier side was to be played in Parla, located 15 miles from the Spanish capital of Madrid, on Wednesday.

    The match has been rescheduled to 6 November and will be played at the same venue.

    Read Also: Valencia, Sevilla interested in Sadiq

    The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) says it is “working intensively” with affected clubs and that further fixtures on Thursday could be rearranged.

    Valencia host La Liga champions Real Madrid at Mestalla Stadium on Saturday.

    BBC

  • Valencia, Sevilla interested in Sadiq

    Valencia, Sevilla interested in Sadiq

    Umar Sadiq is being linked with a departure from La Liga club Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window.

    According to Spanish sports daily AS, Valencia have identified the Nigeria national teamer as a potential target in the event that they fail to land their top candidate Rafa Mir from Sevilla.

    Valencia are working on a deal that would see Sadiq join the club on a season-long loan.

    Read Also: Nigeria will overcome current socio-economic challenges, says Jonathan

    Los Ches are confident the deal for the lanky Nigerian center forward will go through as their director of football Miguel Ángel Corona has a good relationship with Roberto Olabe, the sporting director of Real Sociedad .

    Valencia face competition for the services of Sadiq, with Sevilla and Italian outfit Bologna also showing interest in the 2016 Olympics bronze medalist.

    The Kusa Boys product struggled to break into Real Sociedad’s starting lineup last season after recovering from a career threatening injury shortly after his arrival at The White and Blues from Almeria.

  • Breaking: Valencia beat Barcelona to win Copa Del Rey

    Valencia on Saturday defeated Spanish giants FC Barcelona to win the Copa Del Rey.

    The defending champions lost 2-1 in a match that may be the last for the under-fire Coach Ernesto Valverde.

    The defeat denied Barcelona a fifth consecutive Copa Del Rey victory.

    When superstar Lionel Messi pulled one goal back in the second half, many expected a comeback.

    But the Valencia players held on for a memorable victory, even missing two open chances to kill off the game.

    Details shortly…

  • Manchester United lose 1-2 at Valencia to blow chance of top spot

    Manchester United endured an undignified end to their topsy-turvy UEFA Champions League group stage campaign by losing 1-2 at already-eliminated Valencia on Wednesday and missing their chance of topping Group H.

    Manchester United were already guaranteed a last 16 berth but needed to win and to see Juventus lose to group minnows Young Boys if they were to take the top spot.

    One half of the unlikely scenario materialised as the Swiss side beat the Italian giants 2-1 but Manchester United blew their chance with a defeat that consigned them to second place.

    Carlos Soler put the La Liga side ahead in the 17th minute with a powerful finish.

    Then Manchester United defender Phil Jones scored an embarrassing own goal at the start of the second half to double Valencia’s lead.

    Substitute Marcus Rashford gave them brief hope of a comeback by heading home in the 87th minute after a rare bright passage of play from the visitors.

    But Valencia comfortably saw out the victory.

    Juventus finished top of the group on 12 points, with Manchester United on 10.

    Valencia, who were already assured of third place and qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League, finished with eight while Young Boys earned four.

    With one eye on Sunday’s trip to English Premier League leaders and historic rivals Liverpool, Jose Mourinho rotated his side.

    He made eight changes from Saturday’s 4-1 win over Fulham, including bringing record signing Paul Pogba back into the fold.

    Pogba had Manchester United’s best opportunity to cancel out Soler’s impressive opening strike following a Marouane Fellaini knockdown.

    But somehow he missed the target from close range with the goal gaping.

    Manchester United’s task in turning the game around became significantly harder, thanks to a clumsy moment from Jones.

    He failed to communicate properly with team mate Sergio Romero and slid the ball into his own net.

    “I think we were too passive in the first half. We were quite comfortable with the ball but not in intensity and ambition,” Mourinho told reporters.

    “In the second half, I was pretty sure that after speaking at halftime, things could be different. But we started with an own goal that gave Valencia a better position to control the game.”

    Valencia have had a poor campaign in both Europe and La Liga, where they lie 15th in the standings with only three victories.

    But coach Marcelino said the win had lifted the mood in the dressing room.

    “I’m happy for the players because they have competed well in many games this season but things haven’t worked out for us.

    “Today, we played with freshness and bravery, and I’m delighted for them because they have suffered,” he said.

    “There are many tremendous teams in this competition, some real powerhouses. But the thing that counts is winning and, unfortunately, we haven’t picked up enough points.”(Reuters/NAN)

  • Nadal back from injury for Davis Cup quarter-finals

     World number two Rafael Nadal has been named in Spain’s squad for their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final against Germany in Valencia next month.

    The 31-year-old has not played in the competition since helping five-time winners Spain return to the top tier of world tennis with victory in India in 2016.

    Nadal was named in Captain Sergi Bruguera’s team alongside Pablo Busta, Bautista Agut, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez.

    Read Also: Injured Rafael Nadal retires in fifth set

    Nadal, 16-times Grand Slam champion, withdrew from the Australian Open in January after reaching the last eight due to an upper quad problem.

    He had been expected to return at the Mexican Open at the end of February, but missed his fifth tournament in a row.

    The Davis Cup quarter-finals take place over the weekend of April 6 to April 8.

    NAN

  • Kondogbia ready for emotional Sevilla return

    Kondogbia ready for emotional Sevilla return

    Valencia midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia says he will “try to put his emotions to one side” as he returns to his old club Sevilla for Saturday afternoon’s LaLiga clash.

    After joining Sevilla in 2012 as a 19 year old from RC Lens, Kondogbia had an outstanding first season in La Liga, impressing observers everywhere with his skill in possession and physical gifts.

    After moving through Monaco and Inter Milan before joining Valencia last summer, the France international says visiting the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan as an opposition player will be “special” personally and a tough test for his team.

    “It’s not easy, obviously,” Kondogbia said. “I’m going to try to put my emotions to one side, and give my all for my current club. It will certainly be special for me. In footballing terms, it will be very tough because everyone knows how strong Sevilla are at home, but I hope we can get the win. That’s what we’ll be aiming for.”

    Kondogbia said he was treated very well in the Andalusian capital, and made friends during his 12 month stay.

    “I look back on that period very fondly,” he says. “I was only young and it was my first experience in a top European league. I’m very grateful to the club. I had a really good time there, was treated very kindly. I made friends both within football and outside the game.”

    The now 25 year old has been outstanding for Valencia this season, and Los Che have taken 13 points from their last five LaLiga games to keep a secure hold on fourth position.

    “The team is in really good shape,” he says. “We’re on a fine run: we got an important draw in Bilbao, we’d won the game before that [against Real Sociedad] and have now just beaten Real Betis. We’re feeling good and have built up momentum and confidence.”

    Sevilla are currently eight points back, in fifth spot, having won four of their last five La Liga fixtures.

    “They’re a very dangerous team and one of the best in Spain,” Kondogbia says. “They are still in the race for Champions League qualification, and there’s a reason for that. We know they can be extremely dangerous, even more so on home turf. So we must prepare as well as possible.”

    With Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, and Sevilla’s Argentina midfielder Ever Banega, also facing their former sides, Saturday’s game should provide excitement for LaLiga fans everywhere.

    “It’s only natural that a clash between two of the league’s top clubs, direct rivals, serves up an enthralling spectacle,” says Kondogbia, born in the French town of Nemours to parents from the Central African Republic. “These matches are always great to play in and to watch. It’s definitely one of the biggest games in the division. LaLiga is one of the best leagues in the world; I hope I can keep performing to a high level here for as long as possible.”

     

  • Barcelona face team dilemma in visit to tiny Eibar

    Barcelona face team dilemma in visit to tiny Eibar

    FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde faces a dilemma before his side’s potentially tricky trip to in-form Eibar on Saturday, having watched his side’s seemingly unassailable La Liga lead grow smaller.

    The lead has been cut to seven points from 11 in the last two weeks.

    The advantage would normally give the coach room to rotate his squad in order to keep his side fresh for the visit to Chelsea in the Champions League three days later.

    But tiny Eibar’s consistency means such a move risks his side falling closer to second-placed Atletico Madrid.

    Eibar hail from a town of 27,000 inhabitants in the Basque region and are the smallest team in the top flight.

    Five years ago they were in the 80-team regional third tier.

    They have overcome a rocky start to the season to grow into genuine contenders for a European spot, rising to seventh place in the standings by losing only one of their last 12 games.

    That run has included impressive 5-0 and 5-1 thrashings of Real Betis and Sevilla respectively, as well as victory over high-flying Valencia.

    They have also developed a knack for edging tight games, snatching a 1-0 win at Leganes in their last outing with an injury-time goal.

    It is a remarkable turnaround from their dismal form at the start of the season when they lost seven of their first 11 games.

    Read Also:Barcelona bids Mascherano emotional farewell

    However, Coach Jose Luis Mendilibar said his side had barely altered their style, which is based on pressing high, no-nonsense defending and frequent crosses into the opposing box.

    “We’ve changed nothing, we don’t care which team we play, we’ll keep doing what we believe we do well,” the coach said.

    “It’s easy for any analyst to see what we do in every game; we change hardly anything so it should be easy to play against us. It’s extraordinary to be in this position at this stage as no-one would have expected that when the season started.”

    Barca have found it easy to play against Eibar, winning all seven of their games since the side were promoted and thrashing them 6-1 at the Nou Camp last September.

    Lionel Messi seems to enjoy playing them too, having scored 12 goals in six meetings, including four in the last fixture.

    The Catalans remain the only unbeaten team in Europe’s top five leagues but head to the tiny, 7,000-capacity Ipurua stadium following unconvincing draws against Espanyol and Getafe.

    They will be boosted by the return of first-choice centre-backs Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, however.

    Atletico Madrid have won their last three league games and will be looking to keep the pressure on Barca when they host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, while champions Real Madrid visit Real Betis.

    NAN