A New Hope
By: Cesar | August 14th, 2007
And so it begins in earnest, the new campaign. Tonight marks Valencia’s first official game of the 2007-08 season, a Champions League encounter with Sweden’s Elfsborg at the Mestalla.
I could ramble on about the supposed lineups and what the protagonists think about this game. But I’ll be honest. I expect us to romp. We should romp.
The urgency is there. With the second leg in Sweden in between the first two rounds of the Spanish season, field marshal Quique Sanchez Flores wants to put this baby to bed in the first leg, leaving subs and reserves ready for the second leg.
“I want the hunger for competition that I can sense among the players to show in this game,” he told the press on the eve of the game.
“The only thing worrying me is that our opponents are in better physical condition [the Swedes are midway through their league season].
“We have to make the most of the other differences between us and them, but we have to be wary of Elfsborg. They are well prepared and have international players in their team.”
On the other hand, Elfsborg have nothing to lose. As defending Swedish champions, they hardly lack in confidence and know the pressure lies with our beloved.
“We have everything to gain and they have everything to lose,” said Elfsborg coach Magnus Haglund.
“Their whole organisation is built up around the Champions League and failure to reach the group stage would be a catastrophe for them.
“We have to keep it tight, work hard and believe in ourselves. Hopefully that will give us a good start. We will see how that affects them.”
Elfsborg director of sports Stefan Andreasson added: “It’s a huge game for the club and for Swedish football – and even though they’re a good side, there have been bigger upsets.”
Don’t count on it. Valencia have a top-notch team at beck and call and are hungry to start this season with the victory we need.
I don’t make predictions anymore (or do I?) but I expect a romp. 3-0? Maybe 4-0?
If we don’t roll over the Swedes here, we’ll be sweating come late August.
Don’t bet on it.
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
The question is are you going to try to win La Liga this year, or attempt to win in Europe.
Posted from
United States
-
I’m getting sick of this! Every player wants to come to us.. but we do not offer more then 14-15mil!
First Sneijder,Lucho,Kallstrom en know van der Vaart! offer 20mil and we have him!
Every time there is so much speculation, and every time we have almost sign a great player.. and at the last moment he doesn’t come!!
we are a star team.. we need a new star such as VAN DER VAART! not Arizmendi o Zigic.. pffffffffffffPosted from
Netherlands -
I feel bad for Quique Sanchez, the man has been great for this team. Just like all the other world class managers that have come through to Valencia, He has lived up to the benchmark and beyond. I wouldnt want this for the team in a million years but i think its time for him to go. He has been let down by this management staff so much, its unfair to him if he has any aspirations to be a champion and given respect at his profession. Without being able to strengthen the squad its simply unfair to him. They are doing the same thing they did with Rafa Benitez who’s at Liverpool. Benitez once said of Valencia, “At Valencia I asked for a desk to work and management gave me a coffee table.” Management at Valencia continually disappoints. Furniture store probly sold them the desk.. but at the last minute Madrid came in and doubled their offer for the desk.
I imagine this is how business runs at Valencia..
They tell Quique Sanchez Flores, “yea we’ll get you some players, who do you want?” He gives them a list, and they say “ok,” Ill call’em up and tell the club of so & so. “Gimme him, how much? $20mil?? We’ll pay $10mil, take it or leave..(hang-up)”
But suddenly they have enough to pay Real Santander $20mil for Zigic?I dont want to know of a player that valencia is supposedly after until they have agreed to terms and signed him. Keep your RUMORS under wraps. Fire the snitches in the front-office! Your doing all the scouting for all the big clubs. And players & their agents are using the clubs offer to start a bidding war. Which Valencia always looses.
Valencia is like a person who bids on Ebay with no-reserve price and they submit their bid 2-days early, hoping to get a bargain and them a bid club comes in and hits the BUY-IT-NOW! Button and walks away with the item. All to save 1-4mil. when they have the $$ to spend. If you want it. expect to pay it. At least you know what your getting in return.
Whats the difference in to your pockets of a $15mil flop or a $20mil flop.
Clubs gets your money back you sell him off.
Whats the difference of a $15mil superstar or a $20mil superstar?
He gets your money back when he wins you a title and + Return on Your INVESTMENT and marketing power around the world.
They need to change the way they do business.
Posted from
United States -
Is it that our beloved is cheap? yes and sorry to say that he is a cheap club and that shows now more than ever. But i still adore Valancia!
Posted from
United States -
3 - 0 over Elfsborg! Glad to see Vicente back in the team and scoring, (links to video anyone? please post) Van der Vaart says he “expects to be in Valencia Saturday” Seems like he’s really intent on coming, hope Soler and co. don’t screw it up now.. let vdV moan to Hamburg execs for a day or two more then lets throw 17 or 18 million at Hamburg… unless Hamburg execs are twice as stupid as ours, we should get him
Posted from
United States -
Daniel, here’s some grainy footage from YouTube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cbbjjwp305QPosted from
United States -
Ok so after watching the game here are a few observations. First off the squad played a very solid match against a vastly inferiour team. Joaquin and Silva being by far the best in form players on the feild. At no time were these two more than a few seconds from touching the ball and attempting a play. I lost alot of respect early last year for Flores when just because he was Carboni’s signing he refused to play Joaquin an extreamly talented player.
The central midfiel was still missing somethiong though Braja was also playing very solid football.. he has grown enormously as a player.Villa was shakey at best. I wasnt impressed he barely touched the ball, which for a player of his calibur is a bit unnerving. Morientes as soon as he ran on to the pitch was like lighting a spark in the offence and was as usual a wonder to watch as he would glide in to attack. Barely on 20 minutes and blasting a jaoquin cross into goal was beautifull.
The defence was failry solid with only a few nervous moments but in truth the opposing offence was laughable. Caniera was a shakey player and i wasnt impressed. I would have liked to see helgeura.
All in all a good game teh way we should play against this type of team. Well done che.
As for Van der Sar. if anybody thinks he will be comming to Valencia they are kidding themselves.. not only will Valencia never offer the cash necessary but they Van’s team can ill afford to lose him as he is central to the teams success.
Now Riquelme is still for sale and affordable and he already has a place in Valencia as he plays for Villareal just on the other side of town. He would be a great signing. He speaks spanish.. plays great in a playmaking central possition. What ya waiting for go for him.
Posted from
Canada
Comments are closed
Home 
