The Master League adventures thread

Transfer News

Mendieta defying his critics and ploughing on with his vision for the club.....
As Adrián enters the fold! Signing for €13.7M from Genoa. The former hammers No.1 had recently swapped east London for Italy but it hasn’t worked out as expected at the Seria A club. If you remember, Valencia had an offer rebuffed by West Ham back in the summer but now they finally get there man. The 31 yr old coming in to push Neto all the way for the no.1 jersey, some healthy competition.

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In other news the club have finally made a decision over the future of Simone Zaza, deciding to reject a significant bid from Tottenham. Los Che, however, still remain interested in Spurs centre back Davinson Sanchez.
 
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The chairman had Brescia manager Vialli under a lot of pressure to beat arch rivals Avellino .. and with Brescia being the weaker side Vialli decided on a defensive formation of two banks of four with a lone striker up front supported by an AMF .. the idea of this was to soak up pressure and counter attack by using the forward to hold the ball up and lay it off while waiting for support from midfield .. .Vialli got it spot on. . .a well worked goal scored by Bertoli in the 74th minute stunned Avellino and Brescia could have doubled their lead but Bertoli tried to be too clever with the finish.

 
Real Betis 0-2 Valencia



Valencia finally turn up! Mendieta given a lifeline with a well deserved victory over Betis.

Adrian made an immediate debut. Gabriel Paulista made an emergency swap from centre back to left full back with Gaya just too tired to play another game.

In the 11th minute, after some patient play down the right touchline, Montoya had time to set himself and send in a pinpoint cross to Zaza lurking 10 yards out from goal. The Italian produced a stunning overhead kick which cannoned of the bar but fortunately, with the keeper sprawled on the ground, Lookman was on hand to head in the rebound.

Only three minutes later and Zaza, chasing down a through ball, outmuscled his marker before surging towards the edge of the 18 yard box and caressing a left footed curler down low to the keepers right. A nice finish from the former West Ham flop.

It could’ve been worse for Betis in front of their own fans had Los Che substitute Rodrigo not been so wasteful in front of goal. The versatile forward missed not one, but two guilt edged opportunities midway through the second half.
 
(Jan 31st) Transfer Deadline Day

11:00am
22 yr old left back/centre back Lucas Hernández signs on a six month loan deal from Atlético Madrid. Hernández will provide much needed cover at left back for Gaya.
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13:30pm Jaume Doménech departs Spanish shores and jets off to Greek giants Olympiakos for a €5.1M fee.

18:00pm potential €4M deal for highly rated defender Reece Oxford from Borussia Mönchengladbach breaks down.

19:15pm Multiple offers come in for influential performers Jose Gaya and Geoffrey Kondogbia. Not for sale!
We need offers for transfer listed Guedes or Andreas Pereira, but none are forthcoming.

21:00pm Its finally done! After protracted contract negotiations Diogo Jota finally signs on the dotted line in a deal worth €15.3M The youngster departs high flying Wolverhampton Wanderers from the English Championship.
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23:59pm Unable to offload anymore of their players, Valencia cannot afford the transfer fee to complete what would have been a mouthwatering transfer of Davinson Sanchez from Tottenham Hotspur’s. The former Ajax defender will be staying put in north London... for now.
 
Brescia after a couple of wins seem to be gelling well and have a rhythm to their play .. next on the list Spezia a well balanced match with both teams using the same formation .. 4-4-2

 
Manager Vialli is very happy with the way his team are performing at the moment. ..they are showing great resilience and fighting spirit in a lot of matches and find themselves in 10th position in Serie B after 18 matches . . .a couple of players need to be sold and another couple brought in to reach their full potential. .next up is a tough away match v Parma a great match which illustrates how much they have come along since last season.

 
Valencia 3-0 Deportivo


Back to back La Liga wins for Valencia with a comprehensive victory over Depor.

A 10th minute one-two between Zaza and Parejo set the ball rolling with the captain finishing on the volley at the penalty spot, connecting sweetly with the Italian’s lob over the last defender.

It took until the 58th minute but continuous pressure from Los Che forced a second goal. Lookman wriggled free of his marker down the inside left of a crowded Depor box, getting to the byline and providing a short cross for Kondogbia to head in powerfully from a mere two yards out.

As for the third? Well, La Coruna failed to clear their lines then this.....


Linetty thumps in from distance with a goal of the season contender!

Leganes up next for Los Che. Could the oranges make it three wins of the trot?
 
Valencia 1-2 Leganes


On a wet and miserable afternoon at the Mestalla, Valencia pay the price for a poor first half display.

Atlético Madrid loanee Hernández made his debut in place of Gaya at left back and young midfielder Carlos Soler had the difficult task of filling in for club captain Dani Parejo in central midfield.

As the rain hammered down, Leganes front man, Guerrero, made Valencia pay for some lackadaisical defending, heading down into the ground from Brašanac’s diagonally flighted ball on 21 mins. The usually dependable Murillo was at fault, not following the run of his man.

Dale Stephens switch from the stoney shores of Brighton to the Spanish minnows in Madrid raised more than a few eye brows back in the summer window, but the hard working midfielder has never looked back and grabbed what was ultimately the winner today, albeit rather fortuitously. His 43rd minute strike came amidst a comical bout of ping pong inside the Valencia box, before it took a huge deflection via the back of Gabriel Paulista, wrong footing the keeper and rolling tamely into the net.

The Valencia players came out after the break fresh from a royal rollicking from the manager! Whatever Mendieta said, it had the desired effect. To an extent. Los Che moved the ball quicker and with more purpose, searching for the goals to draw level.

As the 70th minute approached, a lovely flighted ball from Kondogbia, 40 yards out from goal, caught the Leganes defense flatfooted. Soler had made the perfect little run, stealing in behind, before guiding his pass back from the byline and into the path of Rodrigo for a simple tap in.

The chances were there for the equaliser, but went begging..... Kagawa saw his speculative overhead kick whistle narrowly wide and Kondogbia’s late header was well saved in the dying seconds.

Dani Parejo’s vision on the ball was sorely missed by Valencia today.


Los Che now go into a triple run of matches against the mighty Barca, with a La Liga fixture and then two legs of the Copa del Rey quarter final to contest!
 
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Valencia 3-0 Deportivo


Back to back La Liga wins for Valencia with a comprehensive victory over Depor.

A 10th minute one-two between Zaza and Parejo set the ball rolling with the captain finishing on the volley at the penalty spot, connecting sweetly with the Italian’s lob over the last defender.

It took until the 58th minute but continuous pressure from Los Che forced a second goal. Lookman wriggled free of his marker down the inside left of a crowded Depor box, getting to the byline and providing a short cross for Kondogbia to head in powerfully from a mere two yards out.

As for the third? Well, La Coruna failed to clear their lines then this.....


Linetty thumps in from distance with a goal of the season contender!

Leganes up next for Los Che. Could the oranges make it three wins of the trot?

A nearly daisy cutter great strike.
 
Vialli's Brescia are on fire at the moment, unbeaten in the last four games but were up against a strong Foggia side .. it turned into a dour match with little goalmouth action until Vialli brought on one of his new signings for the last few minutes O.Edouard a terrific young prospect with a keen eye for goal ... . 20 yr old Frenchman Edouard was only on the pitch a few minutes when he linked up with Furlan to score what was to be the winner.


An away trip to Cittadella was next for Brescia, Vialli is setting his sights on a promotion play off place and knows that his team need an away win to keep the momentum going. The match turned out to be an entertaining one littered with passing errors from both sides and half chances.

Brescia conceded early and were under pressure from the Cittadella forwards but Vialli has it drilled into the team to stick to the gameplan, be patient and keep your composure even after conceding a goal. Brescia broke up an attack and went for the counter when Macheda received the ball and instantly hit a blind pass into a channel where he knew his teammate Furlan would be. . .Furlan with two defenders breathing down his neck and an onrushing keeper nearly at his feet managed to strike the ball just over the keeper and in off the upright. Lovely goal .. .Vialli was furious when just before half time Macheda selfishly shot wide when the pass was the better option, the match could have went either way after that until the end when Cittadella made a mess of clearing the ball and Bonazzoli tapped it to Camara who still had a bit to do to score but did so with aplomb. This win pushes Brescia up to eight position.

Vialli knew he was fortunate to come away with the three points and might not be so lucky in the next match. . a derby match against bitter rivals Cremonese.

 
Vialli's Brescia are on fire at the moment, unbeaten in the last four games but were up against a strong Foggia side .. it turned into a dour match with little goalmouth action until Vialli brought on one of his new signings for the last few minutes O.Edouard a terrific young prospect with a keen eye for goal ... . 20 yr old Frenchman Edouard was only on the pitch a few minutes when he linked up with Furlan to score what was to be the winner.


An away trip to Cittadella was next for Brescia, Vialli is setting his sights on a promotion play off place and knows that his team need an away win to keep the momentum going. The match turned out to be an entertaining one littered with passing errors from both sides and half chances.

Brescia conceded early and were under pressure from the Cittadella forwards but Vialli has it drilled into the team to stick to the gameplan, be patient and keep your composure even after conceding a goal. Brescia broke up an attack and went for the counter when Macheda received the ball and instantly hit a blind pass into a channel where he knew his teammate Furlan would be. . .Furlan with two defenders breathing down his neck and an onrushing keeper nearly at his feet managed to strike the ball just over the keeper and in off the upright. Lovely goal .. .Vialli was furious when just before half time Macheda selfishly shot wide when the pass was the better option, the match could have went either way after that until the end when Cittadella made a mess of clearing the ball and Bonazzoli tapped it to Camara who still had a bit to do to score but did so with aplomb. This win pushes Brescia up to eight position.

Vialli knew he was fortunate to come away with the three points and might not be so lucky in the next match. . a derby match against bitter rivals Cremonese.


Nice winner from the supersub against Foggia
 
BARCA TRIPLE BILL


Barcelona 3-0 Valencia
(La Liga)

The first of three clashes see’s Messi and co make it look all too easy at the Camp Nou.

After what was a bright opening from the visitors, enjoying possession and creating some decent half chances, the homeside finally got there foot on the ball and taught their opponents a footballing lesson.
With Iniesta on the bench it was down to Rakitic to pull the strings for Barca, and he did so with pinaché. The Croat’s vision to find De Bruyne in the 30th minute was breathtaking, and the flame haired midfielder finished as assuredly as we’ve all come to expect from the ex-Man City midfielder.

Valencia shot themselves in the foot, conceding a second inside first half stoppage time. Los che’s defensive line caught uncharacteristically high on this occasion, allowing Luis Suarez to break away from the halfway line under heavy pressure from Kagawa. The Uruguayan stayed the course and finished explosively past the onrushing Adrian.

Rakitic was at it again less than 5 minutes after the break, stopping any Los Che fightback dead in its tracks before it had even begun. The midfielder, drifting out to the left byline, hit a first time curling laser guided cross straight to the head of Lionel Messi. The gifted forward rising like a salmon and giving the keeper no hope.

You kinda feel bad for Mendieta and Valencia, who weren’t bad, not by any stretch. Barcelona were just so much better, pure class in every area of the pitch!



Valencia 1-0 Barcelona
(Copa del Rey quarter final 1st leg)



Advantage Valencia at the Mestalla! Los Che learn their lesson from last weeks humbling to take a slim lead into the 2nd leg of the quarter finals.

So much hard work on display from the midfield trio of Linetty, Kondogbia and Parejo. Chasing down every ball and setting the benchmark for what will be an unbelievably tough test in the 2nd leg.

It was the 20 year old loanee from mersyside who popped up with winner off the bench.

Lookman, sneaking in from the left on in the 79th minute to poke prod home at the near post from Arnold’s low cross. A maturity in Valencia’s play to keep that attack going from one side of the pitch to the other.


Barcelona (0) 0-0 (1) Valencia
(Copa del Rey quarter final 2nd leg)

Valencia produce a gritty display under the flood lights to set up an unlikely semi final tie against Real Madrid.

The eleven men in white defended as an impenetrable unit to stifle the Barcelona attack. Barcelona’s best chance fell to centre half Pique, thrown up top in the 70th minute somewhat desperately, but he fired wide on the half volley when well placed, with Murillo and Gabriel closing in from both sides.

Dani Parejo should’ve finished the job for Los Che on 76 minutes through a lightning counter attack down down the right but his flick of the boot from close range found the post between him and glory. A good partnership is building between Arnold and Pavon on that flank. A frightening amount of pace to burn!

Madrid next round hahaha!
 
Valencia 2-1 Girona

Late Rodrigo strike seals a deserved 3 points for Valencia.

Zaza netted the opener in 28th minute, the warning signs were there for Girona with Valencia heavily dominating their Catalan opponent. After collecting the return pass from a neat one-two in the centre with Kondogbia, The Italian held of his marker and bent the ball past the keeper into the bottom left corner.

A tasty finish by Frenchman Reine-Adelaide in the 73rd minute gave Girona an unexpected equaliser. No taking away from the quality of the strike, but it was completely against the run of play! The ex-Arsenal youth product bringing Douglas Luiz’s ball down on his chest and volleying into the top right corner of the net.

Valencia dug deep, epitomised by the perseverance shown by the substitute Rodrigo, to snatch a win. Fresh legged, the forward had the Girona defense running scared as he collected Parejo’s centre in the final third and powered towards the backline. His pace took him past the last defender and in on goal but the keeper got a strong hand to his attempted chip. Momentum kept Rodrigo moving forward though, and this enabled the striker to gather up the ball and slot into an empty net.


Malaga 0-1 Valencia

Valencia gaining momentum, now 4 games without a loss.

Pavón’s intelligent play proved the difference at La Rosaleda stadium. The Malaga backline were twice caught flat by the pacey winger’s runs in behind, with the Malaga keeper Jiménez rescuing the situation in the 32nd minute producing a fine save to keep out Pavon’s left footed effort. But there was no denying Pavon, in the 2nd minute of first half stoppage time the Argentinian made no mistake, slotting in over the dive of the keeper after Rodrigo’s perfectly weighted ball had cut open the defence.

To their credit, Malaga didn’t lay down and took the game to Valencia. Borja Baston and particularly Rolan were a nuisance throughout, ensuring Neto’s gloves got more than a little dirty. Los Che were resilient though, holding on to take all three points.
 
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Valencia 0-0 Athletic Bilbao



Athletic Bilbao and Valencia both produce strong defensive displays with neither side able to create a clear cut opportunity in the final third.

Valencia’s captain came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 75th minute. Collecting the ball on the overlap from Mina, Parejo drilled the ball in low from 20 yards out smashing Bilbao’s right hand post.

A point against 4th placed Bilbao is not to be sniffed at, keeping Valencia’s positive form rolling.
 
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La Liga Standings (30 pld)

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With eight games to go the Galitico’s hold a slim 3 point lead over their fierce rivals FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid looking like they’ve finally dropped too far off the pace to make a realistic push for the title.

Athletic Bilbao, Celta Vigo and Sevilla are locked in a three way tussle for that all important final champions league spot. Bilbao currently have the upper hand with 55 points on the board.

Similarly to those teams above, Real Sociedad, Las Palmas and Villarreal are battling out for 7th spot, guaranteeing Europa league football next season. Valencia, possibly have an outside chance of upsetting that cluster of teams based on current form.
 
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I have to accept the reality that I have to downgrade my level to Top Player.
I don't mind losing, but to concede stupid goals after stupid goals, felt like the goals beyond my control. it's so.frustrating.
I now win more physical battle, 50-50 to win loose ball, slightly more enjoyable now.
 
I have to accept the reality that I have to downgrade my level to Top Player.
I don't mind losing, but to concede stupid goals after stupid goals, felt like the goals beyond my control. it's so.frustrating.
I now win more physical battle, 50-50 to win loose ball, slightly more enjoyable now.

Ain’t no shame dude. Everybody should play on a level they enjoy the most. Whether it be legendary, top player, regular or whatever. I sometimes question my sanity when playing on superstar..... certainly had one of those nights last night!!! Was not good on my behalf lol!
 
Las Palmas 0-1 Valencia

Valencia sneak the win in Gran Canaria to remain within touching distance of a Europa league spot.

Los Che were made to work for the points, with Las Palmas, cheered on by their noisy home fans, much the better side for 70 odd minutes. Orchestrated by Halilovic, Las Palmas moved the ball around confidently creating pockets of space and causing Valencia all sorts of problems. Critically though, they failed to capitalise on their domination. The best chance falling to Loic Remy inside the penalty box in the 67th minute. His swivel and strike unfortunately hitting the outside of the left hand post.

Mendieta sensed the direction this match was heading, so he threw on some fresh legs in the 74th minute in an attempt to turn the tide. And turn it did!

Carlos Soler jumped on a rare loose pass from the hosts and wasted no time in zipping a quick ball into the feet of Zaza, on the shoulder of the last defender. With quick feet the Italian outwitted his marker and burst into the penalty box before burying a ferocious shot past the keeper with his less favoured right foot.

Las Palmas will rue that one costly error that lost them all three points today. As for Valencia? A resurgent Eibar up next at the Mestalla, hot off the back of a four match win streak!


Valencia 2-2 Eibar

All honours even at the Mestalla.

Santi Mina and Lookman were both given chances to shine in this fixture, preferred over Kagawa and Pavon out on the flanks.

Mina was involved as Valencia took the lead early on, in the 12th minute. A nice little triangle between the youngster, Kondogbia and Simone Zaza, ended with Zaza curling into the top corner. A beautiful finish from the Valencia forward 12 yards out from goal:



The two up top were causing all sorts of problems for the homeside, so it came as no shock when Eibar equalised in the 36th minute. Sergi Enrich’s flighted pass had the perfect elevation, grazing the top of Linetty’s head before landing on the toe of his strike partner. Afobe, the former Bournemouth striker, finished with ease from six yards ensuring all was square at half time.

Pavon entered the fray at half time with Mina making way, much to the bemusement of the home crowd.

Not five minutes into the second half and Afobe was played in over the top of the Valencia rearguard again. The Eibar forward saw his shot from the right hand side of the area parried away by Neto, but Pedro León was following up and smashed in the rebound.

To their credit, Valencia upped their game and mounted pressure on the visitors in search of an equaliser. Substitute Rodrigo, on in 74th minute, will take the plaudits with a late goal from close range. However, Pavon deserves much of the credit, offering fantastic athleticism and strength to spring, challenge and win the knock down from Parejo’s hopeful Ball in the 87th minute.

Great match for the neutral. Copa Del Rey semi’s fast approaching now for Valencia.
 
Ain’t no shame dude. Everybody should play on a level they enjoy the most. Whether it be legendary, top player, regular or whatever. I sometimes question my sanity when playing on superstar..... certainly had one of those nights last night!!! Was not good on my behalf lol!

Then again, ToP Player against top teams (top 6) seems too easy.
I always play in Premier League. Teams from 2nd Division and low table teams are much harder to beat. Is it the same with other leagues?
 
Then again, ToP Player against top teams (top 6) seems too easy.
I always play in Premier League. Teams from 2nd Division and low table teams are much harder to beat. Is it the same with other leagues?

I’m finding every team hard to beat to be fair lol!!! Especially the two Madrid sides.
 
Real Madrid 1-3 Valencia
(Copa del Rey semi-final 1st leg)

One foot in the final! Class from Valencia.

With Gabriel suspended (an accumulation of yellows), Vezo stepped into the breach and performed fantastically against the world renowned Madrid frontline. In contrast, Marcelo had a woeful afternoon in front of the home crowd at the Bernabeu, picking up a 4.5 rating for his efforts.... or lack of haha!

Madrid switched off entirely in the 10th minute, conceding the opener in school boy fashion. Having won a throw in the final third of the pitch, Montoya collected the ball from Santi Mina’s throw and waltzed forward down the touchline absolutely undeterred by a single Madrid shirt. Head up, the full back spotted Zaza making his move inside the penalty area, stealing a march on Varane, and swung in the cross for the striker to power a header in at the near post.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Madrid shot themselves in the foot again before the half was out. With 34 on the clock, Isco was caught dallying on the ball inside the centre circle and robbed of possession by Kondogbia. Zaza immediately ran into a gaping hole in the Madrid backline and the Congolese midfielder duly played the Italian in on goal. The Madrid keeper committed himself, rushing out of the goal, and Zaza lobbed him with ease from the edge of the D to make it 2-0 to Los Che.

Valencia capped off a fine display with a wonderfully worked team goal. The away side worked the ball down the field until Zaza, brimming with confidence, ran at and committed a defender, beating him and playing the ball wide to Gaya on the overlap. The left back cut back onto his weaker right foot and crossed into the centre of the penalty area where Mina popped up, having ghosted across the Madrid backline, to stoop down and head across the dive of the keeper. Great goal!

Real gave themselves a lifeline in this tie in the 76th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo bulldozering his way through three challenges and banging in a low drove into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Lookman was brought on to stretch Madrid with his pace in the final stages, and he had a golden opportunity saved after a great run in stoppage time. Will that miss cost Valencia over the two legs?
 
Valencia (3) 0-3 (4) Real Madrid
(Copa del Rey semi-final 2nd leg)

Valencia crumble under the pressure.



A Modric strike sandwiched between two Ronaldo efforts dumps Los Che out of the cup in the cruelest of fashions, ending Valencia’s eight match unbeaten run in the process.

I have no words after this defeat....... possibly Mendieta’s darkest hour

The chairman’s trust in the manager has plummeted from 11% to 4% after this loss!!!
 
Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia

Just to rub salt in the wound! We play Real Madrid again, and lose miserably.
Valencia have gone completely off the boil!

In the 38th minute no one closed down Benzema advancing on the left, allowing the French/Algerian to pick out Kroos with a simple pass, the German coolly bending the ball around Neto and into the far corner.

25 yards out from goal Luka Modric was given far to much time in such a dangerous area. The Croat able to easily thread a ball into the path of Benzema’s diagonal run. Eight yards out and the striker finished with aplomb.

YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING!
Rings out from the travelling support, as The Valencia defense parts like the red sea to gift Madrid a third in the 68th minute. Benzema recieve’s an Isco pass 40 yards from goal and moves unchecked towards the Valencia goal before shooting from distance and finding the top left corner. A fine performance from Benzema, grabbing a brace and an assist today!
 
I'll try La Liga.
What team that have a player with good team role?
In EPL, Mark Noble, and Ryan Shawcross have 'bandiera'.
Everton players also have good team roles.
 
Valencia 0-0 Espanyol

Valencia move forward.

Having shipped six goals in their last two matches, today was all about rebuilding confidence for Valencia. In keeping a clean sheet, Mendieta’s players have taken a step in the right direction.

After two poor performances Geoffrey Kondogbia was dropped for this encounter with Carlos Soler coming in for the big Congolese midfielder.

In stark contrast to the defensive display, the attacking play was way off the pace from Los Che. The home side never looked likely to score. Espanyol, on the other hand, showed more attacking endeavour than the home side. They probed and probed but only really created one clear opportunity late on in the match, Gerard’s shot from close range had Adrian scrambling across his goal to save it, before the left back Gaya punted it behind for a corner.

A point a piece, a fair outcome.
 
I'll try La Liga.
What team that have a player with good team role?
In EPL, Mark Noble, and Ryan Shawcross have 'bandiera'.
Everton players also have good team roles.

To be honest mate, I’m not sure until I have a look later on this evening.
 
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