Malaga and Accomodations

By: Cesar | September 24th, 2008

So tomorrow it’s a match against Malaga at La Rosaleda Stadium in southern Spain.

Sorry, but I don’t know anything about Malaga.

I know they just came up from the 2nd Division.
I know former Valencia striker Salva Ballesta sits bench there and Uruguayan striker Dario Silva scored bucket loads for them.
I know we bought waste-of-space Gonzalo de los Santos from them many moons ago.
I know we won the league there a few years ago.

Besides that? Nothing.

So in this case, I turn to Real Madrid daily goal.com and their oh-so-handy preview of the game for more info …

Here, some of the more pertinent info, with my comments …

(Valencia’s) hosts in this match (Malaga) have already admitted a need to calm any burgeoning panic in the rank, after a rough start to the campaign.

With just 1 point and a -5 goal difference after three matches, only Sporting Gijon lies between Malaga and rock bottom in La Liga. The newly promoted side have not managed a solitary goal yet.

This will be the biggest game of the season so far for Malaga with a big gun coming to La Rosaleda. However, while the fans will be expectant and the players high on adrenalin, this new Valencia will be hugely confident of coming away with the points.

Are they giving us props? Goal.com? Wow … sounds like Malaga’s being coached by Ronald Koeman.

FORM GUIDE

Malaga

LOST 1-0 (A) Almeria (21 Sept – La Liga)
DREW 0-0 (H) Athletic Bilbao (14 Sept – La Liga)
LOST 4-0 (A) Atletico Madrid (31 Aug – La Liga)
LOST 2-0 (A) Sevilla (23 Aug – Friendly)
WON 1-0 (H) Sevilla Atletico (16 Aug – Friendly)

Well, tough going for Malaga. Can’t blame the fans for being upset about their recent run.

Interesting note about the team: in 2006, former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz purchased a 97% holding interest in the club and then appointed his son Fernando Sanz, the former captain of the team, as club president.

TEAM NEWS

Malaga

Miguel Angel is suspended, so the likes of Cheli or Eliseu could see some action. Apono, Rossato and former Che striker Salva returned to training this week and could be in the coach’s plans.

Probable Starting XI: Arnau, Gamez, Cuadrado, Robson, Nacho – Pablo, Calleja, Cheli/Eliseu, Duda – Baha, Luque

Ok, so we could see Salva after all. I know Luque from his Depor days (he disappeared for a bit, didn’t he?) but I haven’t heard of anyone else.

Valencia

Emery may not risk Villa again, having started him against Osasuna with an injury. Morientes is an option to come in, while Vicente could come back into the fold on the left, allowing Mata to support the front man. On the right, Pablo will be pushing Joaquin for a spot.

Carlos Marchena is another returnee who could get some minutes, though it is unlikely Emery will break up the Alexis-Albiol axis in central defence, which has steadily improved since matchday 1, though Del Horno could come in at left back for Moretti. In midfield, Baraja is still out while Albelda should return, most likely seeing Edu drop to the bench.

Probable Starting XI: Renan – Miguel, Albiol, Alexis, Del Horno/Moretti – Joaquin, Fernandes, Albelda, Mata/Vicente – Angulo – Morientes/Villa

I think all indications are that Vicente and Marchena will not play tomorrow’s match. Also, look for Villa to indeed sit this one out.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Malaga: Portuguese wide man Duda is at Malaga for the second time after gaining a move to Sevilla where it never quite worked out. The 28 year old is a consistent performer with proven Liga experience, and will be relied upon to improve service to the forwards to finally open Malaga’s goal account.

Valencia: It has to be Juan Mata, who is blossoming as a player right at this moment. Links very well with Villa, but it will be interesting to see how influential he is if El Guaje is left to rest his ankle.

Duda. I love that name. Duda.

Mata is the Spanish ‘It’ boy of the moment. He’s all over the press and being hailed as a possible player for the national team. Remember, he’s only 20! I was passing out, vomiting all over myself at 20 (and most weekdays now) and this guy’s scoring goals left and right. A true talent from the Real Madrid youth system.

PREDICTION

The belief is beginning to tell in the Valencia camp, and there is virtually no evidence to suggest things will come to a hault at La Rosaleda. The hosts so far seem ill-prepared for the challenge La Liga bestows. Valencia won’t give them an inch, while the potency in attack in growing each week.

Malaga 0 – 2 Valencia

Wow … they think we’ll win? Not bad.

I happen to agree. I think this is a game we can win and should win.
Let’s just keep racking up the points against the poorer teams in the league and accumulate more confidence. It’s the best way to go …

So … I mentioned some places to get Valencia tickets a few days ago.

I forgot to mention that scalping is another way to go. While not the greatest way to get tickets, it’s possible to find seats for a game at a reasonable price and not worry about whether they’ll be fake.

My friend bought seats to El Classico outside the Nou Camp a few seasons back for 200 Euros a pop, but they were legit seats in a good area. So it’s possible.

Also, should you want to go to a match at the Mestalla, be advised that the stadium rarely sells out. Unless it’s for a very big match, say Real Madrid. So you should be able to get tickets on game day.

As for accommodations, let me suggest this place:

Hostal Antigua Morellana (www.hostalam.com)

It’s a hostal run by two sisters in the heart of Valencia’s old city, directly across the Mercado Central.
I really enjoyed this place. It’s clean, simple, very inexpensive (around 50 Euros/nite) and right in the middle of the coolest neighborhood in Valencia.

You’ll need a cab to get to Mestalla and the beach nightlife, but it’s well worth the stay. And the ladies that run the place are super sweet and nice.

I also advise you to try out this great website by MadridMan (www.madridman.com) who also runs Valenciaman.com. He’s an American guy who fell in love with Spain and moved there a few years back.
He offers suggestions on places to stay and there are extensive reviews, etc. on the site. I’ve used it many times over the years.

And of course, besides having a beer at Manolo’s famous restaurant across from the Mestalla, please make sure to stop by the Portland Ale House, c/ Salamanca 10 in the heart of Valencia.

It’s a great place. Tell them you read about it here from the New York guy and I’m sure they’ll toss you a free one!

I hope that helps some! AMUNT!