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Valencia vs Atlético Madrid: Match Preview for La Liga clash

By mac14 on September 15, 2023

In the forthcoming clash set to grace the 2023-24 La Liga season, Valencia are gearing up to rekindle their winning form, poised to welcome Atletico Madrid, led by the tactical prowess of Diego Simeone, on a pivotal Saturday showdown at Estadio Mestalla. Valencia are under pressure to get back on track following two consecutive defeats to Alaves and Osasuna.

Overview

La Liga is all set to resume after the international break, as Valencia prepares to engage in a fierce tussle against Atletico Madrid. The valiant hosts, kicking off the nascent season with two triumphant outings, basked in early glory, despite their subsequent performances have been a tale of struggle.

Contrarily, the visiting titans have remained a force throughout the new campaign, winning three of their games including a humiliating 7-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

The commencement of Valencia’s season bore the fruit of success, securing a 2-1 victory over Sevilla, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 triumph against Las Palmas. Although not setting the footballing world ablaze, they exhibited an ability to fulfill their objectives. Regrettably, their fortunes took a nosedive as they suffered consecutive setbacks in the league.

Presently, they find themselves nestled in the 11th position on the league standings, amassing six points from four encounters, and their ambition is clear – to elevate their standing through a victorious encounter with Atletico Madrid. However, this task is far from easy, given the formidable form of their adversaries.

Diego Simeone’s men are unbeaten in their three league games. They started off with an easy 3-1 win over Granada but played out a disappointing 0-0 draw against Real Betis. Before heading into the international break, Simeone’s team showcased an exceptional performance where they scored seven goals against Rayo Vallecano.

Atletico Madrid are currently fourth in the league with seven points in his three outings. The Madrid-based club have the most lethal attack in the league at this point in time and they have only conceded a goal so far. They will be high on confidence heading into this away fixture and will look to come out with all three points.

While recent form tips the scales in favor of the Colchoneros, anticipation mounts for a fiercely contested battle on the horizon. You can buy tickets for the game on Seatsnet.com and fans should act fast to get their hands on one as the match is expected to be a sell-out.

Team News & Tactics

Valencia

Ruben Baraja, the boss of Valencia’s fortunes, is poised to navigate this crucial clash without the invaluable services of Gabriel Paulista and Alberto Mari, both sidelined due to injury. However, apart from the trio, the remaining squad members are fit and prepared for the impending battle.

Strategically, Valencia is expected to adhere to the familiar 4-4-2 formation, with Giorgi Mamardashvili safeguarding the goalposts. Widely-expansive in approach, Dimitri Foulquier and Jose Gaya are slated to assume the roles of full-backs, but they must also be vigilant in defensive duties against Simeone’s relentless men. In the heart of the defensive bulwark, the partnership of Mouctar Diakhaby and Cenk Ozkacar seeks to rectify prior missteps and construct a sturdier defensive barrier.

Operating on the flanks, Thierry Correia and Sergi Canos are set to take the mantle as wide midfielders, while Javi Guerra and Pepelu are entrusted with central roles, tasked with dictating the tempo and commanding possession. A formidable challenge awaits, given the opponents’s strengths. In the offensive side, the dynamic duo of Andre Almeida and Hugo Duro are likely to lead the charge in the final third.

Atletico Madrid

In the side of Atletico Madrid, adversity looms large in the form of several injuries. Key players such as Vitolo, Samuel Lino, Memphis Depay, Koke, Jose Gimenez, and Reinildo find themselves sidelined due to injury woes. Moreover, the departure of Yannick Carrasco from the club following the team’s last match further complicates matters. Despite this challenging scenario, Atletico Madrid retains a reservoir of quality within their squad, suggesting the potential for a favorable outcome.

Diego Simeone, is expected to deploy his favored 3-5-2 formation. In this tactical framework, the dependable Jan Oblak is entrusted with guarding the goalposts. The defensive line comprises the trio of Stefan Savic, Axel Witsel, and Mario Hermoso, a trio that has displayed commendable performances thus far and seeks to maintain their consistency.

On the flanks, Nahuel Molina and Saul Niguez are positioned as wing-backs, wielding a dual responsibility of reinforcing the defensive ranks when required and surging forward to exert pressure on the opposition’s defensive lines.

In the pivotal central midfield area, Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul, and Pablo Barrios takes center stage. Their primary objective lies in dictating the tempo of the game while asserting dominance in ball possession. Upfront, the striking duo of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann aims to unlock the opposing defense with their attacking prowess.

Key Players Analysis

Javi Guerra

Guerra’s significance in Valencia’s recent performance cannot be overstated, as he etched his name into the annals of victory with a crucial goal during the previous 2-1 conquest over Sevilla. His impact was particularly remarkable, emerging from the bench in the 62nd minute to secure the game-winning goal in the 88th minute. This goal not only mirrored Guerra’s entire season tally from the previous campaign but also underscored his burgeoning influence.

In a subsequent 1-0 triumph against Real Madrid, Guerra further displayed his prowess, registering three shots, two crosses, and contributing significantly to a clean sheet with a multifaceted defensive display that featured two tackles, two interceptions, and two clearances over 90 minutes of action.

Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid’s recent dazzling display, where they notched an impressive seven goals against Rayo Vallecano in their last league outing before the international break, was led by none other than Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann’s early goal set the tone for Atletico’s prolific offensive onslaught.

Last season, the French international was a standout performer, consistently tormenting opposition defenders and amassing an impressive tally of 35 goal contributions across all competitions. However, despite being instrumental in Atletico Madrid’s strong start this season, Griezmann has found the back of the net only once. As he takes the field against Valencia, the 32-year-old will be fueled by the desire to add to his goal tally.

Prediction

Drawing insights from the recent form exhibited by both teams, a favorable outcome for the visitors, Atletico Madrid, appears plausible. Valencia’s recent setbacks, characterized by two consecutive defeats, have left them entering this fixture on the back of a disappointing loss.

In contrast, Atletico Madrid enters the encounter by a resounding 7-0 victory in their last outing. Diego Simeone’s well-rounded team has confidence, fortified by quality players, positioning them as strong contenders for success in this away fixture. While Valencia boasts a talented squad, their struggle may persist. Therefore, our prediction leans towards a 1-2 victory in favor of the away team.