Allen Hamilton
What: Champions League – Group E
Who: Valencia v Chelsea
When: Wednesday 28th September, 2011, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Mestalla, Valencia, Spain
Still Spain’s Third Best
Valencia have lost talent that would condemn other sides to mid-table mediocrity over the last few years and, again this summer, were forced to wave farewell to mercurial winger Juan Mata, who joined their opponents here, Chelsea.
Yet despite millions of euros needing to exit the Mestalla to pay off a large burden of debt, Valencia have remained competitive and well in the mix, even at this early stage, to claim the accolade of Spain’s third best team – the most that can realistically be expected in the context of a Barcelona-Real Madrid hegemony. Valencia operate in a climate which would, were it in England, produce an even more lop-sided Premier League, with TV money received amounting to a full €100M less than either Barcelona or Real Madrid.
A fine 2-2 draw with Barcelona in midweek La Liga action took its toll on Valencia as they succumbed to Sevilla (1-0) at the weekend. Nevertheless, Los Che should be motivated for this, especially given an opening group draw away to Genk, and do have the players to hurt Chelsea.
Hardest Game in the Group
Chelsea saw off Germans Bayer Leverkusen with relative ease at Stamford Bridge in their opening group game and have only begun to get better since that clash. While Andre Villas-Boas’ side visited Old Trafford and came off on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline against Manchester United, there was enough of a new Chelsea on display to encourage hope for the future.
At the weekend too the Blues were on song, this time bagging all three points as Swansea City were crushed 4-1, the only blot being a straight red card awarded to Fernando Torres. Chelsea travel to Spain in good heart, with Villas-Boas well aware that the challenge of the Mestalla should be the greatest in their group. Navigate this successfully and one foot will already be in the knockout stage.
This though is also a special occasion for more reasons than points, as Juan Mata, signed from Valencia in the summer, makes a speedy return to Spain. "It is going to be a very special and emotional match for me playing so soon after leaving Valencia", said the winger. "But my priority now is to win for Chelsea. But I will try to be very respectful if I do score and not celebrate."
Recent form
Valencia:
Sporting Gijon 0-1 Valencia
(17/09; La Liga)
Valencia 2-2 Barcelona
(21/09; La Liga)
Sevilla 1-0 Valencia (24/09; La Liga)
Chelsea:
Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea (18/09; Premier League)
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham (21/09; League Cup)
Chelsea 4-1 Swansea City (24/09; Premier League)
Key absences
Valencia: Mehmet Topal; David Albelda
Chelsea: Daniel Sturridge; Michael Essien
Players to watch
Valencia – Adil Rami: The French centre back was snapped up from Lille by Valencia at the start of 2011, but then loaned back to the Ligue 1 side to complete the campaign – and bag a title triumph – with Rudi Garcia’s team. Highly rated, Rami is a player in whom big hopes have been placed at the Mestalla. With Chelsea’s fluid movement up front and their dangerous 4-3-3 formation, he will need to be at his best.
Chelsea – Juan Mata: It would seem to be written in the stars for Mata to have been drawn against his former club in the Champions League so soon after completing a switch to Stamford Bridge. Perhaps it is also destined that he will torment his former employers. Having settled in well at Chelsea, Mata could be a key man in familiar surroundings here.
Match Prediction
Valencia know that while a first group stage win would be welcome here, it is essential to avoid defeat to Chelsea, especially at home. Los Che should have the confidence to attack the Blues, but must not let Chelsea’s play in the transitions of possession exploit them, an area Villa-Boas, like his mentor Jose Mourinho, prepares meticulously for. All in all this could be an entertaining draw. Valencia 1-1 Chelsea.
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