Real Madrid and Euro Vase Opponents

By: Cesar | December 19th, 2008

So here we are, two weeks after the debacle at the Nou Camp, facing one of our arch-rivals: Real Madrid.

While I’m not exactly AntiMadridista, as the shirt in the photo says, I can understand Valencia fan’s feelings towards the capital’s club. Constant media attention, the biggest stars, the 2000 Champions League final, Mijatovic, Mendieta and this year’s SuperCopa.

That’s a lot of reasons to feel AntiMadridismo …

MARCA’s favorite team were pasted by the Catalan giants 2-0 last week. Although Madrid came out on the losing end, the Spanish press heaped praise on the Merengues for staying in the game … or at the very least, not losing 4-0.

Yes, Madrid showed some heart in staying with Barca for the duration of the game. But remember, Bernd Schuster was fired for saying the truth: that Madrid had no chance against Barca at the Nou Camp.

2-0 for new coach Juande Ramos and all of a sudden, everything’s ok? Hmm, we’ll see about that.

Our rivalry with Madrid goes back farther than the days of Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo. For me, the rivalry’s been strong for many years. It really ignited when we met the Merengues in the 2000 Champions League final, our hearts breaking when Raul slipped a 3rd goal past a vulnerable and exposed Santiago Canizares at the end of the game. (Fast forward to 4:55 if you really wanna see that goal …)

They’re Real Madrid. That’s reason enough to dislike them.

Madrid will most likely be without inspirational leader and former Spanish national team captain Raul, who’s suffering from a bout of influenza. I don’t mean to kick the man while he’s down, but this would be a good thing for us. Raul was an aggressive distributor of the ball at last week’s El Clasico and his absence would be felt, especially if Wesley Sneijder is also out with injury.

Gabriel Heinze and Pepe have yet to recover from their injuries but Miguel Torres is available again, while Fabio Cannavaro has shaken off the blow to his thigh he picked up at the end of El Clasico.

Marcelo and Arjen Robben are back from suspension. Sergio Ramos will be out after reaching his yellow card limit.

We’re short Emiliano Moretti, which most weeks wouldn’t mean much, since even when he’s playing we’re short Emiliano Moretti. But he’s looked a decent player of late, so this could effect us.
Asier Del Horno will take his spot. His familiarity with Robben from their Chelsea days might be a good thing for us. Then again, we’re speaking about Del Horno.

David Silva will most likely be in the starting 11 and that’s a wonderful thing. His presence will be both inspirational and uplifting to a Valencia squad looking for revenge for our humiliating loss to Real MARCA in the Spanish Super Cup a few months ago …

It’s going to be a tight game. It’s going to be an interesting affair. In my mind, this is Spain’s #2 match-up, above even Sevilla-Betis and the Madrid derby.

Here’s what goal.com has to say about the match:

Madrid will be out for a slice of their own revenge after stumbling 3-2 at home the last time both teams met in the league.

As a testament to how fierce the rivalry between the two sides has become over the past few years, the head-to-head record has been fairly even. In the past ten meetings in La Liga, Los Blancos have won four times while Los Che have picked up three wins.

This could be another intriguingly tight affair or an entertainingly open game, a la the Supercopa, but the re-invigorated spirit that has permeated the entire white-half of Madrid should give them the advantage.

Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia

Uggh … why do I read them again?

Anyways, for a look at last season’s 3-2 victory, courtesy of an Arizmendi goal late in the game, make your way to foroche.com.

I dunno what to make of this game.

While it’s true that Madrid are riding a three-game losing streak and are under new management, they did play better against Barca than many expected. Now I’m not going to join the mad circus of orgasmic journalists claiming that Madrid are back. They’re in dire straights when it comes to the league.

But that being said, they can’t afford to lose this match. Not to us, not now.

We’ll be uplifted by the return of Silva. We’ll have revenge on our minds. We’ll also see some light at the end of the tunnel, as a win would put us 7 points ahead of the Spanish press’s team.

I’m conflicted. I’d really like to say we’ll take all three points at the Bernabeu. But in all likelihood, I see a draw and a share of the spoils. I’d be happy with that, no?

In the other big news of the day, we found out our opponents in the next round of the UEFA Cup (Euro Vase). They’re Dynamo Kiev, the Ukranian superpower.

Kiev featured in this season’s Champions League, finishing third in group G, below group winners Porto and runner-ups Arsenal.

Are they a tough team? I’d say so. But I’m also of the opinion we can defeat them.

Should we advance, we’d play either Italy’s Sampdoria or the Ukraine’s FC Metalist Kharkiv. So can anyone see us advancing deep into this tournament?

The first leg’s in late-February, so more on these games at a later date …

Speaking of Europe, what do you think of the Champions League draw?

I’d say it’s pretty saucy. Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool taking on Real Madrid, Lyon to lose to Barcelona, Jose Mourinho making his return to England with Inter Milan to face holders Manchester United and Chelsea taking on their former coach, the bumbling Claudio Ranieri and Juventus.

Should be a smorgasbord of football come late February. I’m quite excited …

Real Madrid and Euro Vase Opponents

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