Shenanigans

By: Cesar | November 11th, 2008

Great win against Getafe this Sunday for our Beloved.

I thought the contest was a hard-fought affair. The match had nine yellow cards and one red to Roberto Soldado for a headbutt on Carlos Marchena (more on that later). This speaks volumes about how hard-core this game turned out.

Getafe had no answers for our fiery defense and quick counter-attacks.

Joaquin was a beast with the ball. Why are we thinking of moving this lad? He laid some passes for Villa that were simply breathtaking. And he maneuvered fluidly with the ball time and time again. He played a great match.

Manuel Fernandes had the game of his life as well. He was efficient, with pace and quickness. Very good game by the Portuguese international, who is settling in after a frustrating few seasons with us.

Miguel was the man of the match for me. He was everywhere. Is it me or is he the fulcrum of the team, meaning he’s where all the action begins for Valencia? He’s quick, he passes the ball deftly, he’s up and he’s down. I’m thoroughly impressed with the big-boned defender’s play of late.

Overall, a decent game. We had our problems. Sometimes it took a bit of time to create. But overall, I’d be nitpicking if I found fault with the game.

The goals were magnificent. Manuel’s goal was brilliant, Joaquin’s was sublime and Vicente’s was magical. Can you ask for anything more?

So now back to the Marchena-Soldado incident … for those that didn’t see, Soldado was red-carded right before the end of the first period for “allegedly” head-butting defender Carlos Marchena.

Afterwards, Soldado and Getafe coach Victor Muñoz were not happy about our captain’s theatrics.

“I think we all saw what really happened. I stood face to face with him (Marchena), I never made any contact and he threw himself to the ground,” explained Soldado during the press conference.

“He was the one who came over to provoke me. I just lowered my head so as to avoid knocking his forehead and I didn’t touch him at all. He went to the ground on his own… nothing more.

“Everyone knows that about him, not just me. If there’s anyone out there who’s looking for an actor, we have one here.

“I know the referees are only human and they make mistakes but they must come prepared.”

Coach Víctor Muñoz echoed his player’s assessment: “On the field, Marchena often has this attitude for theatrics. I dare say that we all know he went down on his own. And it’s important that the referees know it too.”

The veteran 51-year-old trainer then went on to analyze the game.

“To play with 10 after going down 1-0 is hard. When it was eleven against eleven, we were playing well and I was satisfied with how things were going. I don’t believe Valencia deserved the (first) goal. But once they scored, they controlled the game and had much more ball possession,” he concluded.

I thought we deserved the first goal … but what do I know, right?

Getafe’s Romanian defender Cosmin Contra had some choice words about Marchena as well …

“Marchena doesn’t play a game without doing these things. He is a player who causes incidents, provokes and acts on the pitch. Soldado knew about his way and he has fallen a little into the trap of provocation,” he declared.

“The referee has to know that if it comes from Marchena it is a lot of theatre. It is a shame that a player in Spain does these things when he is barely touched and throws himself to the floor like he has been shot.

“After the incident he went off the pitch to put something in his nose when nothing was there, that is a spectacle we do not want to see on the football pitch. Although you have deceived the referee and Soldado has moved his head a little if you do not have blood then do not put something up your nose…He is Marchena and all of Spain knows about him.”

So what does Marchena think of all of this?

“The (television) images are there for all to see. Anyone who wants to judge for themselves, just go and look at the replays,” he said during a presentation ceremony at the Valencian Community Football Federation for Valencia and Villarreal’s Euro 2008 heroes.

“At this point in my career, the criticism does not faze me. If I were 20 years old, then perhaps it would, but I have experienced too many of these already in my career,” the 29-year-old added.

Meanwhile, striker David Villa also echoed his team-mate: “The images say it all. A lot of things can be said, but the best thing to do for those who want to make up their mind is to watch the video.”

Another of Marchena’s club-mates in Spain’s triumphant Eurocopa-winning squad, Raúl Albiol, said: “I believe that Soldado was annoyed. The intention (to hurt Marchena) was certainly there. And I don’t think that there was any play-acting involved.”

Ok, so I tried to find a video of the incident to no avail … but for anyone that saw the match, can you blame Soldado?

I love Marchena. I really do. I think he’s one of these prickly bastards that gets under your skin and causes you to lash out much like Soldado did.

Knowing that, why did Soldado put himself in that position? Why even intimate you’re going to headbutt someone who is known as an ‘actor’ throughout Spain?

This is no way means I’m defending Marchena. Valencia player or not, I find the WWE-style pro wrestling theatrics of football reprehensible.

They’re better left where they belong – Italy.

But Soldado, what were you thinking? Why try to fight against the dirtiest player in the game?

Marchena dove, Soldado got a red and we took advantage of the fact and scored two goals.

Could the game have been different had Soldado stayed in the game? Absolutely …

But Marchena took the player out with his acting and the game was essentially ours after that.
I love Carlos. But he annoys me with his pettiness at times. I’m just not one to admire the diving skills of our players. Villa’s been guilty of it in the past and now Marchena’s coming back to his old ways …

Anyways, good win for our lads and after a midweek Copa del Rey game, it’s Sporting Gijon at the Mestalla … after that? The fun begins as the schedule gets tougher … we’re in for some fireworks, lads.

Things should get interesting after this next weekend … as if they haven’t been already!!