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Spain: Primera Liga Preview- Valencia v Deportivo La Coruna [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
A re-emerging SuperDepor arrive at the Mestalla intent on maintaining their 100% record after grinding out two single goal victories.
BACKGROUND
The late sale of Alberto Luque to Newcastle probably left a few people wondering just how hard it would be for talented boss Joaquin Caparros to spice things up at the Riazor, especially with so few new players.
Things, at least for now, have changed in La Coruna. Hard-fought wins at Mallorca and then at home to Atletico Madrid, courtesy of a 94th minute winner from Joan Capdevila, are the type of performances we can expect. There certainly seems to be a sturdier backbone to the side.
Quique Flores, by comparison, has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. He swapped the attacking set-up around after the first victory, but the assault led by Marco Di Vaio and Mista versus Real Zaragoza didn’t really pay off.
We have seen few of Valencia’s new buys, bar an impressive if fleeting appearance by David Villa, and the likes of Miguel, Regueiro and Kluivert have been notable by their absence.
Hints to Flores’ number one Che lineup may be evident with tonight’s selection.
Either way, both teams have had good starts to the domestic campaign, and will be extremely keen to avoid defeat. It may not be the rip-roaring fixture of past seasons, but both clubs have something to prove this year and commitment will be paramount.
TEAM NEWS
Valencia: Right back is still a question, will he give Miguel a chance? Marchena will be pushing for a centre-back spot to sure up the defence, while any number of options are open to the coach in attack. Expect Pablo Aimar to start though.
Deportivo: The coach certainly has far less options than his opposite number, but is likely to go for one striker this time, supported by Valeron, while the likes of Carril and Castro inserted at a later stage if things go a wry.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
David Villa: A likely starter given his super-sub role last week, grabbing the equaliser against his old club with nine minutes to go. I will be very interesting to see what kind of relationship he strikes up with Aimar, should he also play.
Juan Carlos Valeron: It remains to be seen precisely what tactical ploy Caparros employs this season, but Depor are already looking more physical than usual. Valeron has the class to provide the vital cutting edge when in deadlock.
PROBABLE TEAMS
Valencia: (4-2-3-1): Canizares, Miguel/Albiol, Ayala, Marchena/Moretti, Aurelio, Baraja, Albelda, Vicente, Aimar, Rufete/Angulo, Villa
Subs: Mora, Caneira, Mista, Regueiro, Kuivert
Deportivo : (4-4-2): Molina, Manuel Pablo, Andrade, Romero, Capdevila, Duscher, Sergio, Munitis, Valeron, Scaloni, Tristan
Subs: Mallo, Hector, Juanma, Castro, Carril
John Rowlands
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