MADRID, 23 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia CF took a giant step this past Sunday to certify its permanence in the First Division after beating Real Madrid (1-0) at Mestalla last Sunday, thus reaching 40 points and leading Real Valladolid by five units. , a team that currently closes the relegation places with three days to play.
The ‘che’ team has made a sprint for permanence in the last six days, in which they have won four games, drawn one and been defeated only once, adding 13 points out of 18 possible. Numbers that place him, in the particular classification of the last six days, as the second best team in LaLiga, only surpassed by one point by Real Sociedad.
A number of points that, compared to their rivals for permanence (UD Almería, Cádiz CF, Getafe FC, Real Valladolid and RCD Espanyol), has been differential, being UD Almería, with 9, the one that has scored the most after them in this particular fight.
A good streak that the team led by Rubén Baraja has cemented in the rear. Valencia’s defensive numbers in these six games are brilliant as it is the second team that has conceded the fewest goals (5), only surpassed by Real Sociedad (4). A job in which the entire group has collaborated, since they have been the team that has conceded the fewest shots in these six days (58), being their goalkeeper, Mamardashvili, the third with the best percentage of saves made with 77 percent. In addition, they have been the best team in LaLiga in a key defensive section such as interceptions, with a total of 73.
The good numbers in defense have also been accompanied by the rise in level in the offensive section. Baraja’s team has raised its goalscoring average from 1 to 1.5 in these last six days. In addition, they have increased their conversion in the shot from 8 percent, which placed them as the fifth worst in that aspect, up to 12.7 in this period of time.
In terms of intensity and concentration, Valencia CF has also taken a step forward. It is the team that has won the most duels in the last six days (355), with a 53 percent success rate in this section. In addition, they have been the team that has conceded the fewest expected goals against (6.1), making only two individual errors that ended in a shot from the opponent.
On an individual level, important players in the squad such as Samuel Lino or José Luis Gayá have taken a step forward. The Brazilian, on loan from Atlético de Madrid, has scored three goals, one more than in the previous 29 games, while the captain has generated six scoring chances and won 33 games, being one of the best defenders in LaLiga in these aspects.
It is also worth noting the participation of young homegrown players who have appeared in this section. Diego López with a goal and an assist, Javi Guerra with a goal and Alberto Marí with the same goal, have been indispensable in the good work of those from Baraja, regularly slipping into the coach’s plans.
Some data that show the improvement of Valencia in the final stretch of the season, and that place it as one of the most fit teams in the competition. Who knows if the continuity of this game model and these players will lay the foundations of a team that, after a horrible season, dreams of achieving important things in the coming seasons.