Deportivo and other matters

By: Cesar | May 4th, 2007

This weekend brings us to a meeting with Deportivo La Coruna.

Deportivo is a strange team. They’re one of the more successful Spanish squads of the past decade, winning a La Liga title (1999-00), 2 Copa Del Rey’s (1995 and 2002) and 3 Spanish Super Cups (1995, 2000 and 2002).

They’ve also participated in 5 Champions League campaigns, getting as far as the semi-finals in 2004, losing to eventual champions Porto.

They’re good, although going through changes this season under coach Joaquín Caparrós. They’re also beset by injuries, specifically to star player Juan Carlos Valerón, he of the high-pitched voice.

What’s strange isn’t that they’re good (although there are rumors of shady dealings around the club). It’s the rivalry between Valencia and the Galicians.

I suppose this rivalry began with the 1995 Copa Del Rey Final on June 24, 1995. As many of you know, Valencia played Deportivo in the Final at the famed Bernabeu in Madrid. Thousands of fans from both teams filled the stadium to the rafters and in the 70th minute, Judas Pedja Mijatovic (currently sporting director at Real Madrid) tied the score at 1 with a volley past keeper Liaño.

Valencia pressured the Galicians and looked sure to score the winner when the heavens opened, the rain poured and the game was suspended, to be restarted from the very same spot, the 79th minute.

Back home everyone went and then back to Madrid everyone came 3 days later to watch the last 11 minutes of the encounter. It’s estimated 30,000 valencianos made the trip back, for 11 minutes. That’s passion. It was also Valencia’s first cup final in years.

The game commensed and Deportivo player Alfredo crushed Valencia’s hopes with a shot past keeper Andoni Zubizarreta in the 80th minute to send Valencia home losers, 2-1. Crushing. Mind boggling. Bitter.

And so the rivalry started. The games the past few seasons have been intense. Both teams have been the forerunners of the revolution in Spanish football that’s seen teams like these two, Sevilla and in the past, Real Sociedad push the traditional two powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona from their lofty pedestals.

Their Copa Del Rey game last season had to be played in an empty Mestalla after a fan hit a linesman with a coin after a Valencia goal. Just shows some of the hostilities between the two teams, the two fanbases.

So we come to tomorrow’s game. Deportivo lie a comfortable 11th, at 43 points. They’re not playing for Euope, although they’re not far from UEFA Cup qualification. They’re not playing to stay in La Liga, securing that 2 weeks ago. They’re just playing. What’s their motivation?

You all know Valencia’s motivation: The Champions League.

Our last game against them came on December 10th, 2006 at the Mestalla, where 2 goals from David Villa and one each by Angulo and Vicente saw Valencia erase a 3-game losing streak and defeat the Galicians, 4-0.

The game does have an element of fun in that Valencia’s rumored to have signed tall striker Javier Arizmendi from Deportivo. Not too excited about that one.
Also, Valencia loan player Fabián Estoyanoff wants to stay at Depor, but looks certain to come back to us next season. On top of that, this game serves as a warmup to next weeks Copa Del Rey semifinal between the Galicians and Sevilla. The Andalucians won the first leg at Depor’s Riazor, 3-0.

Looks like captain David Albelda will miss the game due to suspension, joining Vicente, Rubén Baraja, Edu, and Mario Regueiro on the sidelines. Hugo Viana will probably occupy the central midfield with Albiol, putting Emiliano Moretti in as center back with Ayala and moving Marchena up the midfield, where he’s been a revelation this campaign.

Up front, Fernando Morientes will probably start the game on the bench, as he’s been bothered by muscular problems all week. Miguel will also start the game there, with arm problems. Look for old buddy Angulo to team with El Guaje David Villa as strikers. Santiago Cañizares should be back, taking over for understudy Butelle, who looked solid last weekend.

So what do I think? A victory, of course. We need this. We need every game, but Valencia 2 Deportivo 0 sounds right … what do you think?
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Some other notes:

- I may watch the game at one of the fine Galician restaurants/social clubs in New York City. Most of the Spanish immigrants that came to the United States hail from Galicia. Many set up Depor social clubs/penyas here in New York and New Jersey. They’re fun fans and serve some amazing food. If you’re in the area, check them out.

- So Quique was fined 600 Euros for talking smack about the referees. So?

- Ivan de la Pena. Roberto Soldado. Valencia players next season. Discuss.

- I feel bad for Osasuna, losers of the UEFA Cup semifinal against Sevilla last night. I have a good friend in New York who is a solid supporter of the Basques. He’s also the only supporter of the club in the tri-state area. You think I have it bad? He’s the ONLY voice. But he supports the club and loves them, even singing Osasuna terrace chants at his wedding with his family. I wasn’t able to watch the game with him because of work, but I feel his pain. Sorry, guys. Keep your heads up. You played well.