MADRID, 30 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia receives Espanyol this Friday (16.15) in the last game of 2021 of LaLiga Santander, a duel that could allow the ‘che’ to finish the year in Champions positions if they win, while the ‘parakeets’ want to consolidate in the middle of the table, all under the threat of COVID-19.
The increase in the number of infections also caused the Government to reduce the capacity in football stadiums to 75%, a measure that will come into force as of January 1, so, as Valencia CF itself has communicated , the duel at Mestalla, when played on December 31, is not subject to these restrictions and the club’s 32,000 subscribers and all fans who have purchased tickets will be able to enjoy the match.
The Bordalás team was one of the only teams that avoided the easy and rapid spread of the omicron variant, which has grown exponentially among LaLigaSantander teams. The first to test positive were the Alicante coach and Alderete, both have already overcome the disease, but the club announced this Wednesday four new infections, which after the negatives of Piccini and Jason, have remained in only two.
RCD Espanyol also faces the duel under the shadow of the virus, after reporting seven positives this Tuesday after the ‘Christmas break’, five of them first-team players and two from the coaching staff.
After eight days of rest for their three consecutive victories in LaLiga Santander, Valencia faces this last duel in 2021 with very good feelings. His triumph in the derby against Levante (3-4) confirmed this positive trend, chaining nine games without losing. Thus, a new victory would allow the ‘che’ to finish the year third in the table with 31 points.
In addition, in direct confrontations between the two teams, the Valencians have won seven of the last nine. Likewise, Mestalla has become a real fortress for those from Bordalás, with only one defeat, against Real Madrid, so far this year. But the coach asked at a press conference to improve on the defensive side, since they have conceded 26 goals in the first 18 days.
Apart from the absences mentioned by the coronavirus, Valencia will not be able to count, due to injury, with Foulquier, Paulista and Lato, while Racic will not be available due to sanction.
ESPANYOL HAS NOT YET WON AS A VISITOR IN LALIGA SANTANDER
For its part, Espanyol comes to this duel settled in 11th place in the table with 23 points, so a victory would bring them closer to Valencia and see the European positions closer. A comfortable position thanks to his magnificent results at the RCDE Stadium (20/27 points), although as a visitor he still does not know what it is to take all three points.
Their aspirations to continue climbing in the classification that were slowed down after their defeat against Celta (3-1) the previous day. Those of Vicente Moreno did not give their best image in Vigo, so improving their feelings to achieve the victory will be the main objective.
To achieve this, Raúl de Tomás will once again be key. The Spanish striker has accumulated 8 goals so far this season and is the beacon of a team that trusts much of its offensive danger to the boots of the Blue and White ’11’. Of those 8 goals, 5 served to open the can, and is that Espanyol has not lost in 9 of the 10 games in which it has gone ahead on the scoreboard.
In the casualties section, David López, Dimata and Óscar Gil will not be due to injury, and the Mallorcan coach will not be able to count on Calero, Vadillo, Loren, Miguelón and Puado due to COVID-19.
–LALIGA SANTANDER DAY 19 PROGRAM:
-Friday December 31st.
Valencia – Espanyol. Sánchez Martínez (C. Murciano) 16.15.
-Sunday, January 2.
Getafe – Real Madrid. Melero López (C. Andalusz) 14:00.
Athletic – Rayo Vallecano. Figueroa Vázquez (C. Andalusz) 16.15.
Elche – Granada. Cordero Vega (C. Cantabro) 16.15.
Alavés – Real Sociedad. From Cerro Grande (C. Madrid) 18.30.
Betis – Celta. Soto Grado (C. Riojano) 18.30.
Mallorca – FC Barcelona. Mateu Lahoz (C. Valenciano) 21:00.
-Monday, January 3.
Villarreal – Raise. Hernández Hernández (C. Canario) 19.00.
Osasuna – Athletic Club. Ortiz Arias (C. Madrid) 21:00.
Cádiz – Seville. Cuadra Fernández (C. Balear) 21.15.