Valencia kicks off the new season next Friday hosting Getafe in the Mestalla. Haven't been able to follow Valencia for years, but finally live somewhere again that carries La Liga.
Valencia win the 2021-2022 opener 1-0 over Getafe. Starting lineup: Guedes, Maxi Gomez Cheryshev, Guillamon, Wass, Soler Gaya, Alderete, Paulista, Correia Mamardashvili Guillamon sent off after 33 seconds for a studs-forward challenge. Cheryshev brought down in the box and Soler scored the PK. Other than that, Valencia had to defend, defend, defend. Mamardashvili, the 20-year-old Georgian goalkeeper had an excellent match and Valencia hung on for the three points. Top of the table for 24 hours at least.
Valencia still in negotiations with Tottenham over Goncalo Guedes. Valencia want between 30m and 35m Euros, and Tottenham are upping their offer from 20m to 25m. "Super agent" Mendes -a buddy of Valencia owner Lim-ashian- is brokering the deal so of course it will go through. He will make a million or two from the deal, Lim will get to pay off some debt, and Valencia will be stuck with a weaker side. Sounds like business as usual.
Week 2: Granada 1 - 1 Valencia Starting lineup: Maxi Gomez, Guedes Cheryshev, Wass, Racic, Soler Gaya, Alderete, Paulista, Correia Mamardashvili First half, 1-0. Valencia had more than 10 attacks to only 3 for Granada, but Granada scored on a fast-break attack that Mamardashvili failed to deal with effectively, IMHO. He had a defender running side by side with the attacker but instead of coming out to cut down the angle, he backed up and the shot was too far to his right to stop. Valencia pulled out a point near the end when Gaya ran into the box and fell over at the slightest of touches, earning a PK that was dispatched by Soler. Granada then scored at 90' from a free kick but ruled offside by VAR. Valencia had more chances than Granada, but the shots were very poor. Guedes alone had 5 shots, with only 3 on target. Likewise, Maxi had two excellent chances that he spurned. Two goals in the first two matches, but both PKs. You can't go through a season depending upon PKs only as your offense.
Valencia are buying Marcos Andre for Euros 8.5m from Real Valladolid. Valencia CF | News, Transfers, Match Reports, Previews Valencia CF Valencia CF football club. News, articles, match previews, reports, squad, results, transfers for Valencia CF www.clubvalenciacf.com I saw him play last weekend in Valladolid's 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza. He is Brazilian and goes by the name: Maranhão. I saw on transfermarkt that his valuation was only Euros 3.27m, so Valencia are paying double his valuation. Ouch!
Week 3, Valencia will host Alaves for the late Friday match. Expected lineup: Maxi Gomez, Guedes Cheryshev, Racic, Wass, Soler Gaya, Alderete, Paulista, Correia Mamardashvili Unlikely to see the new signing right away, but if Gomez and Guedes continue to shoot blanks, I expect to see Bordalas trying another striker out in the final 20-30 minutes.
Week 3, Valencia beat Alaves 3-0 at home to go top of the table, level with Mallorca, on 7 points. I haven't watched this match yet, but will see the replay tomorrow. Goal scoring came from the right side of the pitch with Wass, Soler, and Guedes all scoring, and assists coming from Cheryshev, Guedes, and Maxi Gomez. Clean sheet for Mamardashvili. The new signing, Marcos Andre (or Maranhao) got to see minutes subbing in for Guedes on 68'. Now that we have more than Soler penalty kicks, I can start up the count. Goals - Assists Soler 3 - 0 Guedes 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Gomez 0 - 1 Goals scored: 5 Goals conceded: 1 Clean sheets: 2
Kang-In Lee's contract terminated by Valencia and he is allowed to leave the club for free. Considering that he was said to be the best youth player ever for the club -having joined as a 10-year-old (ala Messi with Barcelona)- it is strange that they didn't try to sell him on, or use him in the first team squad.
Now I see in the news that Kang-In Lee is heading to RCD Mallorca, the other La Liga squad that I follow.
Valencia are taking winger Helder Costa on a loan deal from Leeds United. At 28, and with a spotty career, he needs a new start and perhaps Valencia will be that place.
Week 4: 3-1-0 10 points Valencia pulled full points away in Pamplona, beating Osasuna 4-1. Guedes had two great goals, one of which was scored an own goal but I don't buy that. His shot was on target and defender only slightly deflected it up more. If a shot is NOT on target and gets redirected on target, then that is certainly an own goal. Alderete and Maxi Gomez also scored. Assists from Soler (2) and Wass. Goals - Assists Soler 3 - 2 Guedes 3 - 1 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Goals scored: 9 Goals conceded: 2 Clean sheets: 2
Week 5: Valencia - Real Madrid This match comes too early in the season; however, both sides are in fine form and it is a top-of-the-table match so should be a good one. Expected lineup (4-3-3 or 4-4-2): Foulquier, Maxi G, Guedes Guillamon, Wass, Soler Gaya, Alderete, Paulista, Correia Mamardashvili Foulquier may drop back and form a 4-man midfield, leaving two strikers, since he is more of left back or wing back. Would love 3 points out of this to show that Valencia are back, but 1 point is more likely. Real Madrid management will likely watch this closely to see which Valencia players (e.g., Soler or Guedes) they can steal next season.
Week 5: 3-1-1 10 points Valencia were just minutes away from beating Real Madrid at home, but gave up two goals in the last ten minutes to drop all three points, 1-2. Long cross from Foulquier dropped nicely for Hugo Duro to slot past the RM keeper for the Valencia goal. Goals - Assists Soler 3 - 2 Guedes 3 - 1 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Alderete 1 - 0 Duro 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 1 Goals scored: 10 Goals conceded: 4 Clean sheets: 2
Week 6: Sevilla - Valencia Wednesday night match which I should be able to watch while at work. Good thing my boss isn't a footie fan. Expected lineup: Maxi Gomez, Guedes Duro, Guillamon, Wass, Soler Foulquier, Alderete, Paulista, Correia Mamardashvili Sevilla likely gets the nod for playing at home.
Week 6: 3-1-2 10 points Lost away to Sevilla 3-1 on three costly goalkeeper errors (Mamardashvili). Guedes free kick into the box slotted home by Duro for his second goal in two matches. But second defeat in a row means Valencia drop down the table. Goals - Assists Soler 3 - 2 Guedes 3 - 2 Duro 2 - 0 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 1 Goals scored: 11 Goals conceded: 7 Clean sheets: 2
Week 7: 3-2-2 11 points Home draw 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao, so two points dropped IMHO. Maxi Gomez sent off for two yellow cards, which may be a good thing since his substitute, Marcus Andrade, scored his first Valencia goal (Guedes assist) and could start the next match. For some reason, Gomez rarely gets into the box and that is part of the issue with the offense. Cillessen played in goal and good thing, because his one-handed save at the end saved that single point. Goals - Assists Guedes 3 - 3 Soler 3 - 2 Duro 2 - 0 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 1 Goals scored: 12 Goals conceded: 8 Clean sheets: 2
Week 8: Valencia are away to Cadiz tomorrow. Gaya, Soler, and Cheryshev are still injured, and Maxi Gomez is suspended from last week's red card. Expected lineup: Jasper Cillessen; Gabriel Paulista, Omar Alderete, Toni Lato, Dimitri Foulquier; Hugo Guillamon, Daniel Wass, Hugo Duro, Yunus Musah; Goncalo Guedes, Marcos Andre
Week 8: 3-3-2 12 points Away draw 0-0 in Cadiz. Had several chances at goal, but few good ones (i.e., inside the box). Wass took four long-range shots and they tested the keeper, who barely punched them aside. Two points dropped, but at least they picked up one. Really missing Soler. Goals - Assists Guedes 3 - 3 Soler 3 - 2 Duro 2 - 0 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 1 Goals scored: 12 Goals conceded: 8 Clean sheets: 3
Week 9: Valencia visit Barcelona who are under fire for their early season form. Alderete suspended for picking up his 5th yellow card against Cadiz, so Diakhaby likely starts in his spot. It looks like Soler might be fit again, which would be good news if true. Likewise with Correia. Gomez, Guedes Duro, Guillamon, Wass, Soler Lato, Diakhaby, Paulista, Correia Cillessen Could be a point in this match for Los Che if Soler can get back into form quickly.
Week 9: 3-3-3 12 points Lost 3-1 to Barcelona in Camp Nou before a 50% crowd even though the authorities allowed for a full stadium. The lovefest for Barcelona is pretty ridiculous; the commentators almost made it like there was no other squad on the pitch. Gaya scored on a rocket from distance from a poor Barce clearance, and Soler had a shot richochet off a post. Barce were given a PK freebee when replay clearly showed Gaya did not foul Fati, whose weak shot was saved by Cillessen. Good to see Soler and Gaya back in action. Now we need Alderete back from suspension and Correia also. Foulquier just doesn't give confidence defensively down the right side. Goals - Assists Guedes 3 - 3 Soler 3 - 2 Duro 2 - 0 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 0 Gaya 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 1 Goals scored: 13 Goals conceded: 11 Clean sheets: 3
Week 10: 3-4-3 13 points Home 2-2 draw with RCD Mallorca in a Jekyll-n-Hyde match. First half was absolutely poor performance as Valencia had no shot on target and gave up two goals. Maxi Gomez is just not good at this level and Bordalas should be starting Andrade over him. In the second half, Valencia brought on Soler, Alderete, Vellejo, and Jason and saw a greater offensive effort. Gaya and Jason put in a lot of crosses into the box, but to no effect. In stoppage time, Guedes scored on a long range shot that was slightly deflected by Mallorca keeper (Paulista assist). And then in minute 98, a cross into the box was touched back to the middle by Andrade to Gaya, who hit a partial bicycle kick into the net for the drawing goal. Goals - Assists Guedes 4 - 3 Soler 3 - 2 Duro 2 - 0 Gaya 2 - 0 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Goals scored: 15 Goals conceded: 13 Clean sheets: 3
Week 11: 3-4-4 13 points Went to Seville and got an absolute butt-kicking by Real Betis, 4-1. It doesn't help that Valencia have a pair of hot-head centre backs who love to pick up yellow cards and argue with the refs. After coming back from a too-many yellow cards suspension, Alderete tackled a man in the box to give up a PK for Betis goal #1. Only a yellow card, however, so he will be available to pick up another one next match. Paulista scored the only Valencia goal from a Gaya corner kick. Goals - Assists Guedes 4 - 3 Soler 3 - 2 Gaya 2 - 1 Duro 2 - 0 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Goals scored: 16 Goals conceded: 17 Clean sheets: 3
Week 12: 4-4-4 16 points Valencia finally picked up a win after 7 winless matches in a row. They beat Villarreal in Mestalla 2-0 on a less-than-stellar performance, but it was effective. Foulquier throw-in to Guillamon who ran into the box and chipped the keeper for the match winner. A penalty kick put away by Soler after Foulquier was fouled in the box sealed the three points. And the defense didn't give up a goal! Goals - Assists Guedes 4 - 3 Soler 4 - 2 Gaya 2 - 1 Duro 2 - 0 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Goals scored: 18 Goals conceded: 17 Clean sheets: 4
Week 13: 4-5-4 17 points Valencia were down 1-3 to Atletico Madrid in stoppage time at Mestalla when Hugo Duro scored two stoppage time goals to snatch a draw and one point. Duro came on as a sub and was assisted by a pinpoint cross in from Gaya, and a free kick in from Guedes. First goal was an own goal by Savic when Guedes put a dangerous ball into the box. The fight back was great to see. Goals - Assists Guedes 4 - 4 Soler 4 - 2 Duro 4 - 0 Gaya 2 - 2 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 21 Goals conceded: 20 Clean sheets: 4
Week 14: 4-6-4 18 points Went to San Sebastian and played very physically, frustrating the Real Sociedad side with the ref's assistance, who let play go on with few whistles. Ended at 0-0 with a point each. Clean sheet for Cillessen. Goals - Assists Guedes 4 - 4 Soler 4 - 2 Duro 4 - 0 Gaya 2 - 2 Gomez 1 - 1 Wass 1 - 1 Andrade 1 - 1 Foulquier 0 - 2 Guillamon 1 - 0 Paulista 1 - 0 Alderete 1 - 0 Cheryshev 0 - 1 Paulista 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 21 Goals conceded: 20 Clean sheets: 5