What: Spanish La Liga
Who: Valencia vs Atletico Madrid
When: Sunday 27th April, 2014, at 16:00 UK Time
Where: Mestalla, Valencia, Spain
Returning The Favour
Heavily beaten in the reverse fixture 3-0 at the Vicente Calderon in December, Valencia will want to improve their recent record against guests Atletico Madrid when they welcome the league leaders. Los Che have had a good record at home in their recent matches, as they have won four of the last six league games at the Mestalla, but facing Diego Simeone’s side will be a whole different test, as Atletico Madrid are very much focused on winning their first La Liga since 1996.
The 2004 league champions felt cheated in their recent Europa League clash against Sevilla, as the referee awarded Los Rojiblancos a very controversial goal that should have been ruled off-side, according to Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men. Nonetheless, the team have to move on and prepare for their important clash against Atletico Madrid, according to Francisco Alacer. “We have to go out there as we did in Sevilla, eager to win and claim the three points. We will play at home and we want to give joy to the fans", commented the forward.
Undefeated in 13 of the last 14 league home games against Atletico Madrid in all competitions, this will be a real test for Valencia as they will be facing the toughest Rojiblancos side in some time.
Three More Finals
A dream situation a couple of years ago, Atletico Madrid are on cloud nine, enjoying their best times ever since Diego Simeone took control of the team almost two and a half years ago. Having won the Europa League and Copa del Rey with the Mattress Makers, Simeone’s men are three victories away from winning their first league title in eighteen years. What was once a distant dream is now very much concrete reality, and the first of those “finals” starts with a trip to Valencia.
Los Colchoneros could only muster a goalless draw against Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final first leg, but are still favourites to overcome the Blues and go on to the final. Staying true to their one-game-at-a-time philosophy, Jose Sosa declared that his team are very much concentrated on their upcoming clash. “We know that you feel more comfortable when playing at home but the team is doing well. We will try to keep the same concentration and the same desire away knowing that it is not the same playing without our fans. [The game at the Mestalla] is very important and very critical for us.”
Having won their last eight La Liga games, in which they kept clean sheets in seven of them, all signs point towards another important win for Atletico Madrid.
Recent form
Valencia:
Valencia 2-1 Elche (13/04; La Liga)
Osasuna 1-1 Valencia (19/04; La Liga)
Sevilla 2-0 Valencia (24/04; Europa League)
Atletico Madrid:
Getafe 0-2 Atletico Madrid (13/04; La Liga)
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Elche (18/04; La Liga)
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Chelsea (22/04; Champions League)
Key absences
Valencia: Ricardo Costa; Philippe Senderos; Diego Alves; Victor Ruiz
Atletico Madrid: None
Players to watch
Valencia – Jonas: The Brazilian has ten league goals to his name so far, but will have a hard task when he faces Spain’s toughest defensive side; Atletico Madrid having conceded just 22 times this term. A goal or two could grant victory to Los Che and shuffle the league race.
Atletico Madrid – Diego Costa: The forward was left frustrated against Chelsea as he could not score, but he will have another chance to help his take his team a step forward when he takes the pitch against Valencia, knowing that he scored twice the last time the two met domestically.
Match Prediction
Having come such a long way, it would be a pity to see Atletico Madrid self-destruct at this stage of the season, knowing that their future lies solely in their hands. Nothing but a win will be enough for Atletico Madrid, and they will get that at the Mestalla. Valencia 1-2 Atletico Madrid.
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