La Liga Preview: Malaga - Valencia

After last season’s nightmare, few would have expected Los Che to be top of La Liga in the early weeks of the new campaign, but that is precisely where Unai Emery’s side stand ahead of a trip to an already struggling Malaga.

Distant Memories

Even though we’ve only had three rounds of league football in Spain this season, there are already distinct feelings that this a new dawn at the Mestalla.

Alexis recently spoke of the way last season felt like a distant memory, not least in the sharp contrasts in mood between the old and new Che camp. Now it seems there is mutual respect abound, and everyone is pulling the same direction.

Valencia’s start to the season has been nothing more than solid, but even that remains a pretty huge step forward. With precisely the same team bar Renan Brito in goal, Emery has re-fashioned its persona and instilled a collective spirit and professionalism utterly absent for most of 07/08.

If one key criteria stands out, it is work ethic. This Valencia is a tough nut to crack, and their fluidity in attack is improving game by game.

Every Cloud

In a strange way, the injury to David Silva may actually help the team. Before the season began, all the talk about Valencia was the fact they managed to keep hold of their two stars (Villa the other), upon which their entire team and season depended. It was as if these two were all Valencia had in the locker - the only way they would enjoy a moderately successful campaign and top 6 finish.

Silva’s injury has forced the squad and Emery to look deeper within the reserves of talent. The likes of Mata are now depended upon, and when Silva returns at the end of the year he could do so more as a quality addition, rather than a long awaited shot in the arm to a side clinging on by its finger nails in his absence.

The goals have hardly flowed for Valencia to date, while David Villa’s strained ankle is a worry, but Los Che have plenty of time to improve that part of their game. You really get the feeling this side is growing with every passing minute on the field. The extent of chances created will undoubtedly increase in correlation with the progression in tactical execution. Work rate is no longer a problem. 

Their hosts in this match 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 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.

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)

Valencia

WON 1-0 (H) Osasuna (21 Sept - La Liga)
WON 1-0 (A) Maritimo (18 Sept – UEFA Cup 1st round 1st leg)
DREW 2-2 (A) Almeria (14 Sept – La Liga)
WON 2-0 (H) Mallorca (30 Aug – La Liga)
LOST 4-2 (A) Real Madrid (Aug 24 - Spanish Super Cup)


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

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


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.


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

John Rowlands, Goal.com