Leaders

By: Cesar | September 21st, 2008

I know, I know. It’s early. The season is only three games old.

But still, after all the stuff we went through last season, isn’t it nice to say we’re the leaders in Spain?

That’s right. Valencia CF are on top of the Spanish La Liga mountain after three games courtesy of our 1-0 victory over Osasuna.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But it sure is satisfying.

Coach Unai ‘Swing Vote’ Emery doesn’t feel the same way I do.

“I consider being leaders as just an anecdote because we are one of several teams on seven points,” he explained.

“What is important now is ensuring the team continue to improve, progress and win complicated games like this. We have only just began and we must take it all step-by-step.”

I agree. But can’t we smile a little anyways?

Yes and no.

Sure, we’re doing well. But we’re doing exactly what we should be doing, getting by plucky teams like Osasuna, picking up points during the easy part of our schedule.

That’s not to put down the Basque team. That’s just to say we’re better and we should be beating these teams.

The true test of our mettle will come against clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, the true tipping points in Spanish football.

So, 1-0.

- It was a scrappy game against a club that came in looking to play a scrappy, defensive scheme. They frustrated Valencia, plugging numbers behind the ball, looking for the counter.
But I think we played well against them. True, it wasn’t a work of art. But there’s improvement. This is a match last year’s team would have lost. Today, Valencia were able to adjust and take the three points.

- Everything considered, we’re playing ok. Now think about how much better we’ll be with Marchena, Vicente, Baraja and Silva. Watch out, Spain.

- We went a man up in the 63rd minute after Cesar Azpilicueta made a foolish challenge on Mata. We took advantage and a lovely pass by our star player David Villa to Mata was converted into a pretty goal. Here’s a video and mind you, Villa passed this ball with his LEFT foot … he might have been injured and not 100%, but what a player. WHAT A PLAYER!

Valencia – Osasuna
Uploaded by ComedLov

- The Alexis-Albiol central defensive combination is starting to mesh. With Marchena coming back soon, I hope their development isn’t impeded.

- Edu looked ok in the midfield. I kind of wish we could see Edu in his prime, before the knee injuries.
He’s a classy player and a classy person and a great representative of the Valencia club.

- Renan’s also starting to come into form. Too bad about Timo, but it looks like we may have a ‘keeper after all.

- Joaquin sometimes plays lie he has no idea how to play football. I didn’t like him today. Maybe he was more concerned with the Sevilla-Betis derby later in the day.

So a good win and three points. Now, midweek against Malaga. Another game we should expect and garner three points. AMUNT!

*One more note that’s sort of related to Valencia: Today’s the last ever game at Yankee Stadium, the pre-eminent sports stadium in the United States. The stadium opened in 1923, christened ‘The House That Ruth Built’ for home run slugger Babe Ruth’s many trips around the bases.
They close the doors today and will open a new stadium across the street next year, complete with all the amenities sports fans crave today. Lush suites, stadium bars and restaurants, bigger seats, etc.

The one thing that’s been swirling through the news these days is how Yankee Stadium has so much history, so much significance in American sports history.

So why are they tearing it down?

Money. It all boils down to making more money. The team will make more money. The fans will pay more money. The players will be rolling in money.

There will come a time, very soon, when the same thing will happen to the Mestalla, Valencia’s grand old home. It opened approximately a month after Yankee Stadium did in 1923 and has its share of wonderful memories. Next season is expected to be its last season in service, provided Vicente Soriano and his henchmen can get their act together and finish the Nou Mestalla.

I think it’s sad that the people in charge of these grand enterprises are so short sighted as to sell us on the notion of progress at the same time as they push the nostalgia of old.

It’s like, ‘This new stadium is going to be great,’ while at the same time saying, ‘But we’ll miss the old one so much. So make sure to buy a seat as a souvenir.’

I have wonderful memories from both places. My first ever Yankees game, seeing that lush grass for the first time in person and watching my favorite player, Don Mattingly, blast a home run to win a game.

And my first game at the Mestalla, against Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane’s first game with the Merengues. I remember the yelling, the boisterous crowd, the fast action on the field and the plucky team from Valencia that wouldn’t stop fighting.

Sports is about so much more than money. I wish the people on top would realize this one day.

Bye, Yankee Stadium. I’ll miss you.