Champions League preview: Valencia v Manchester United
There was probably widespread joy in Valencia when they drew Manchester United in this season’s Champions League, as the last two times they’ve faced them in Europe they’ve gone on to reach the final.
It was 2000 and 2001 when the men from the Mestalla made it all the way to the showpiece event in the continent’s showpiece competition – only to lose to both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – and while the likes of Rafael Benitez, Claudio Ranieri and Ronald Koeman have come and gone since then, it was the summer departures of the dynamic David Villa and David Silva that led many to claim that they wouldn’t be a force in Spain any more. Many look wrong.
The club from eastern Spain currently sit top of the La Liga table, ahead of the aristocrats of Real Madrid and Barcelona and flying in the face of all of those who claimed that they’d be doomed without their star players. That hasn’t gone unnoticed in Manchester.
“It is going to be a difficult match,” said Darren Fletcher.
“People might say it is not the same Valencia because they have lost Villa and Silva. But as we have seen at Manchester United, when you lose good players others step up to the mark and take on more responsibility. They have had a fantastic start.”
United haven’t.
Three home wins in the league have been checked by three away draws, and the Champions League stalemate with Rangers at Old Trafford two weeks ago ratchets up the pressure ahead of this one, surely their toughest test in Group C. As with any Sir Alex Ferguson side though, they are well prepared.
“We have picked up experience of playing in Europe and we have confidence,” Fletcher continued. “We know how to cope with the travel and the different styles of play.
“Against Spanish sides, keeping the ball is key. If you give the ball away cheaply, you might not see it for a few minutes and they will punish you.”
It’s hard not to agree with Fletcher’s assessment, as Valencia have punished a few sides in their domestic league so far this season, and sprung into Champions League action with a 4-0 hammering of Bursaspor in Turkey.
Without Villa and Silva, it has been the likes of Juan Mata and Joaquin – overshadowed by the pair in the past – who have blossomed under 38-year-old boss Unai Emery, while tigerish Argentinian midfielders Ever Banega and Tino Costa work hard in the centre. It is a formula that’s getting results, but one member of the squad is a little disappointed not to be facing a boyhood hero tonight.
“Ryan Giggs has been a player I have liked very much since I was little,” said Mata, who has been denied the opportunity to be starstruck tonight by his Welsh idol’s hamstring injury.
“He is a big loss because of his professionalism and experience but for sure whoever takes his place will do their best. They'll be missing important players but I think they have a big enough squad to cope.”
Michael Carrick will be back in that squad for his first appearance of the season, but Wayne Rooney has been ruled out with an ankle injury that makes him likely to miss England’s match with Montenegro. Paul Scholes hasn’t travelled, but Rio Ferdinand looks set to play.
This is a stern test for a United side who have conceded seven goals in their three away matches so far this season, and they look set for more travel sickness here.
Back to back fixtures against Bursaspor follow this encounter, and so while defeat certainly wouldn’t be a fatal blow to a club who will still surely qualify from the group stages, it will still give them some food for thought.
And start the parties in Valencia again.
Prediction: Valencia 2 Manchester United 0
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