Juan Matters

By: dan_c | April 17th, 2011

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Let’s say hello to Valencia Offside’s new blog writer, Dan Corder, who comes to us from South Africa.
Huge Valencia supporter and he’s ready to give us his analysis of yesterday’s match.

Enjoy Dan’s analysis after the jump! AMUNT!!!

Comfortable, at times unconvincing win for Valencia, tonight’s victory places more pressure on Villarreal and takes Los Che ever closer to that golden Champions’ League Group Stage 3rd place finish. Here’s a post-match analysis.

This match made it clear what sort of player a captain should be. One who can lift a tired side, change the direction of a game and inspire a team to victories. I present Juan Mata. He had massive shoes to fill in leaving the side what with the Davids leaving last July, but tonight he really stepped up to the plate.

Let’s be honest, the first half was poor. Almeria are the worst side in the division, we had 60% of the ball and a far superior starting line-up. Yet the home side looked far more dangerous and lively and created the best chances. Their two Argentineans were especially threatening and wow that boy Piatti can play. Rumour indicates he’ll be joining the Mattress Men next season, but I wouldn’t be disappointed to see him in the white and black. He has such good control and movement and knows how to find space and penetrate defensive lines. With a decent killer instinct we would have gone in down by a few at halftime. Valencia played too deep, making it easy for Almeria to push forward and swing in crosses. Our defence doesn’t inspire confidence at the best of times. Our wing backs, while brilliant going forward, were caught out often, especially down the left. Only through Ever’s thunderbolt thudding the post did Els Taronja pose UD a problem in the opening 45.

I don’t know what was said at halftime but clearly something happened, because the lethargic, tepid side that went into the change room didn’t reappear. Finally the Whites got in and around the opposition penalty box, where we are most threatening and our small, quick-footed playmakers could start weaving magic. Mata was sensational. He was always a step ahead, ably supported by Banega and Pablo. Soldado started receiving the support he needed and it was only a matter of time Mata, Pablo and Mathieu combined beautifully to bang in a cross, perfectly headed by Soldado. GOL!

Almeria rarely looked like getting back in it, although Guita was forced into one very good save when once again our central defence failed to deal with a cross that came from Miguel being caught out of position.

But even if our team is suspect without the ball, even our most defensive players are lethal going forward. Costa leapt brilliantly from a looping cross to give our pet Lithuanian giant a simple tap-in for 2-0. Our strength in squad depth was shown as Joaquin and Alba combined to score the third in the 80th minute to cap off a good second half display.

Despite the win, my concerns about our defence refuse to go away. While the situation is ok against the smaller sides, unless we shape up we will remain leagues behind Barca-Madrid. Emery’s love of attacking full-backs makes us dangerous in the attacking third. Miguel and Mathieu are both excellent crossers of the ball and Miguel’s pace is very useful. Even Mehmet Topal bombs forward and offers an outlet in around the box. But this leaves us very vulnerable at the back.

Sometimes we also get bullied out of the game and players tend to disappear. Pablo drifted in and out of the game and besides the goal Soldado struggled as he was often marked by 2 or more Almeria CBs. For our system to work, Ever, Mata, Pablo et al MUST attack the defenders and draw them into challenges. Almeria were physical and it took a good halftime team talk to knock us into competitive shape.

Overall though, a good win. Emery orchestrates a solid 3 points against the side he brought to La Liga 3 years ago. Valencia 9 clear of 4th, Almeria 9 from 17th. Amunt!

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