Valencia … Oh Valencia …

By: Cesar | December 1st, 2008

Yesterday’s 3-2 win against Real Betis is the type of game champions need to win.

And win we did, although in usual nervy fashion.

We scored two goals in the first 20 minutes to take seeming command of the match only to watch it slip away. Juanma pulled a goal back for the Sevilla side 11 minutes after the break and Achille Emana equalized from the penalty spot not long after.

With Carlos Marchena sent off for the foul that led to the penalty, all looked bleak for Los Che.

But old geezer Ruben Baraja scored his first league goal in more than a year (October 20, 2007 against Deportivo to be exact) off a wonderful header past Betis ‘keeper Castro to save us. Our boys are firmly entrenched in third place in Spain, five points behind next week’s opponents, FC Barcelona.

Betis were a tough out, tougher than I imagined. They came into this match as very much a team in form, having won five of their last six league matches. Still, who imagined we’d have such a rough time against the Andalucians?

Nevertheless, 3 points is 3 points. Bring on the leaders!!

After the match, coach Unai Emery seemed upset that we coughed up a two-goal lead.

“We should have maintained our first half form for longer. We have to be more consistent and we should have kept it going for longer,” he told reporters.

“We had a good first half and scored twice and there were chances to add to that, but in the second half they were better and drew level.”

“They deserve a lot of credit because they showed that they do have a good team,” he added.

I guess … If you’re interested, here are goal.com’s player ratings for the match.

The one bit of bad news is the injury to Edu, who looked on the verge of tears while leaving the pitch. He looked absolutely spectacular the first 20 minutes of the match. It’s a shame the Brazilian midfielder can’t stay healthy. It didn’t look like he injured his knee this time around. Since no one was around him when he pulled up lame, I’m guessing it was a muscle pull.

I’m not sure of the extent of the injury. Let’s hope he comes back soon … I really feel for the oft-injured Edu.

Transitioning from the bad Edu news to some good news … Silva is back!

Well, sort of … he practiced with the squad for the first time since his ankle operation today. Great to see the diminutive Silva on the road to recovery. It’ll be great to have him back in the rotation in a few weeks.

While the re-incorporation of Silva will be like a winter transfer, there’s more coming.

Valencia formally introduced Brazilian teenager Thiago Carleto as their new wingback.

“I am very happy to be able to play here. It is a dream to play in Spain and with a big team, with big players,” said Carleto, who left Santos to sign a six-year deal with Valencia. “I am very disciplined, I look to do what the coach asks me. I have a special feature God gave me: I kick very well. And I look for being better every day. I’m a good tactical player either at the defense and at the attack, really good.”

Can’t say he’s lacking in confidence, eh?

The ‘new’ Roberto Carlos bristles at comparisons with the big-thighed ex-Madridista …

“I’m so happy for being compared with him, but I just want to be Thiago Carleto and have a career as successful as his,” he commented.

Valencia gave no financial details, but sports daily AS reported that the transfer fee for the 19-year-old, who was also being chased by Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, was around $2 million.

But that’s not all …

According to news reports, we’re leading the race to sign Brazilian starlet Keirrison.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Palermo have also been tracking the 19-year old striker, but we’re said to be top of the pile after tabling a €12 million bid.

Resurgent Premier League side Liverpool are said to be hot on the heels of us. They’ve faxed a lesser bid, but are offering the player himself a more substantial contract.

Despite the interest from the English side though the Coritiba sports director, Paulo Roberto Jamelli, told Spanish soil rag AS that he thinks his man would be better suited to Spain … and hopefully us …

“I have played in the Spanish league and I know Keirrison,” he declared.

“I have no doubt that he would succeed in Spain because there are a lot of midfielders providing the balls, like Guti and [Iván] de la Peña. If he does end up at Real Madrid he will score lots of goals with the creativity of Guti.”

The Brazilian league doesn’t end till December 7, so more developments are expected after that date. Real Madrid supremo Ramón Calderón recently revealed that Los Merengues will be signing two young players this winter, and speculation is rife that Keirrison will be one of them.

We’ll see what happens. It’s encouraging, nonetheless.

Still, with the news that we were denied credit from Valencian bank Bancaja, how are we affording these players? Is there something I’m missing here?

More news: We’ll be playing Racing Santander in the Copa Del Rey round of 16.
You’ll remember that Santander embarrassed us at the Mestalla a few weeks back, courtesy of a Mohammed Tchité hat trick. Let’s see if we can exact some revenge.

Next game? A UEFA Cup match against Belgian side Club Brugge.

This would be an opportune time to play the likes of Zigic, Viana and Curro Torres.

Why? Because we’re due this coming Saturday at a certain stadium named Nou Camp to play a certain club named FC Barcelona who happen to be leading the Spanish league …

Let me start off the week by begging and pleading for ANYONE in the tri-state area … or the United States … or the world … to get to New York City and Nevada’s Smiths in Manhattan to watch the game with me …

I DO NOT want to be alone surrounded by 11,000 Barca supporters. Especially when we beat them …

So I hope to see you there come Saturday …