After the bad image that Valencia gave in Valdebebas last Sunday, it is time to rebuild a ship that seemed to sail better since the new year. There are several circumstances that offer a general analysis and possible solutions. AS has consulted several former players and coaches about these situations:
1. Why do you think they score so many goals from outside the area to Valencia?
2. Do you think there is a lack of attitude on the pitch?
3. What can be done to save the situation?
Fernando Gómez, former Valencia player and coach
1. The only explanation is because many rival players arrive at the shooting zone, free enough. On the one hand is that you recoil too much in defense and then that the players in the shooting zone they have to be more pressured. And then on the other hand there is the goalkeeper who must be successful enough to solve this type of situation. The main thing is that not too many free players arrive to take the shot comfortably.
2. No. I don't think there is a lack of attitude. It is possible that in certain moments of some parties it gives that feeling. But I think that the players, in general, all and always, put enough attitude to try to get more positive results. It is true that some player at some point in time can give that feeling but hey, we've all had bad days and I want to think that everyone wants to do well.
3. The team should defend better. We conceded too many goals, we did not press well, too many free rivals arrive in the finishing zone. In addition, try to be much more aware of the marks of the players who enter the area and logically, between the lines, that the rivals receive the least comfortable possible. From there, it is true that we have a gambling deficit. Mainly because our centrals, except Guillamón, don't play football too much. The midfielders do not intervene too much in the aspect of creation and ball delivery, Soler something more, Racic less. Definitely, improve defense and attack be somewhat more participatory… If not, at least make the counterattacks fast enough and with ambition to pile people up and have the opportunity.
Darío Felman, former Valencia player and commentator
1 First it has not been possible to maintain a defense commensurate with what Valencia is. The injuries have hurt. The one that has endured the most is Paulista. He has played with everyone: with Guillamón, Mangala, Diakhaby, now with Ferro. It has not been possible to maintain stable plants. Gayà has maintained the level that everyone expects. Correia has improved but is always in doubt as to why he is going or not. And then in the goal, more doubts: Jaume Cillessen, Rivero … Cillessen arrived to start but has suffered several injuries …
2. Attitude is a word that means a lot of things. The team is not well. And the opposites feel the perfume. They do not feel the respect that Valencia has earned. The team has gotten worse. But one who has a chance to play would have to give up his life. That does not happen. Very few can sleep peacefully at night. Today some players have the possibility and they appear very little. More than attitude, it lacks personality. A leader is missing. Can't be the leader Jaume, which represents Valencianism, because it is in the goal. A leader is missing, but not an imposed leader.
3. It would be necessary to look for the DNI of Valencia again. And the DNI of Valencia is sacrifice. Each one has to fulfill their role, help each other in these ugly moments. Y those who have to appear have to appear. We can't blame the boys. The older ones have to help them. That is learning. There are young people who have to take advantage of this possibility and veterans have stripes. And give presence that this is Valencia.
Luismi Loro, coach and analyst
1. Valencia is the second LaLiga team defending further back, that is to say, that he has the defense line closest to Jaume's goal. That means that It is a team that has a hard time stealing the ball, especially in the opposite field. Another characteristic is that when you defend in that low block, near the area, it does not have the defensive intensity to avoid the opponent's attacks. He grants many chances during matches. And this is due to the lack of intensity and the intention with which they defend. They cause more the opponent's error than the fact of stealing the ball. Valencia does not normally squeeze the ball, but it takes a lot of time. In addition, at the baseline it is a team that sinks the team a lot, in two lines of four, and they leave the rejection zone free. In fact they have scored many goals in this situation, in the rejection zone. Ultimately, the reason for receiving so many goals from outside the area is, firstly because they defend very sunk; and second, cWhen the opponent receives outside the area they do not squeeze that shot. It has happened in many situations this season. For me this is one of the great problems that Valencia has had, in defense.
two. I don't think it's a question of attitude. It is true that many players, due to their characteristics, due to their personality, do not have that competitive character that the situation requires. It is true that some players, such as Gayà or Soler, always give the call and try to pull the other teammates. The dynamics of the team is that it is able to alternate very good moments with others of being disconnected, with the arms lowered to the first blow that they give him. They break down, they don't show that character of rebelling. And that will focus on what this season is being: those ups and downs and unreliability that spreads from the inside out.
3. I don't know how the thing will be inside. It is a situation that both the players and the coach have to resolve. The technician has to look for solutions, alternatives, detect these problems and solve them. As much as you detect that they are scoring you goals from outside the area and you do not put a solution, it is useless. How can it be done? In the end, the best have to play, those who are most involved, give 100% in each training … In such a delicate situation, close to the descent, Talent is important, but the main thing is solidarity, discipline, camaraderie, dying for each ball… In the end you can't choose which ball I go to. You have to go 100% for all the balls. You don't know which ball is going to give you victory or make you lose. It is going to each ball as if it were the last. Be a team, more than ever, go hand in hand… And that is the coach's job, to convince them that this is the way to get out of there, and above all, that the players most involved and committed to getting the situation forward play.