We are Real's rivals now say defiant Valencia
24/01/2004
We are Real's rivals now say defiant Valencia
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MADRID (AFP) - Valencia have swept aside the importance of their 3-0 Spanish
Cup defeat to Real Madrid in midweek to affirm they are now the main
challengers to the reigning Spanish league champions.
"We
have taken over from Barcelona as the main rivals of Madrid, stepping into the
vacuum Barca have left behind," Valencia president Jaime Orti declared earlier
this week.
"We
are on a par with Real. Valencia have won, and deserve the respect of everybody,
not just Madrid," added Orti.
Orti's
affirmation may be bold - but it comes as no surprise. Valencia, the champions
in 2002, lead Real by one point in the league table and will be out to boost
their title hopes by beating Osasuna at home on Sunday.
Valencia have won their last four games at their Mestalla stadium and are
unbeaten in nine outings - while the Pamplona-based side have only won once in
24 visits to Valencia, and that was 12 seasons ago.
"The
players will want to show in the best way possible that the defeat in Madrid was
not a reflection of their true abilities," Valencia coach Rafa Benitez suggested
on Thursday.
Benitez will be without Spanish international midfielder Ruben Baraja, suspended,
and Mohamed Sissolo, who is on African Nations Cup duty for Mali, leaving
Valencia short of a midfield playmaker.
In
order to fill this particular vacuum, Benitez is expected to ask Pablo Aimar to
play deeper than usual, leaving his options open as to who will accompany Mista
Ferrer up front.
Real
meanwhile host Villarreal on Saturday and know that their 100 per cent home
record in the league will be under more threat than on most of the other 10
occasions they have won in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in this campaign.
Last
season, Villarreal managed a 1-1 draw and, with them flying high in fifth
position and bidding for a place in Europe next season, they are determined to
go one better this time around.
"The
key to coming away from the Bernabeu with something is maintaining maximum
concentration from the first minute to the last," explained Villarreal's
Brazilian striker Sonny Anderson on Thursday.
"The
key to winning is making sure that when we are in front of goal we make the most
of those opportunities because we know Real Madrid will," added Anderson, a
veteran of Real Madrid derbies with his former club Barcelona.
Real
Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has a few dilemmas to resolve ahead of Villarreal's
visit.
Queiroz will have to replace his suspended Spanish international Ivan Helguera
and the Portuguese coach is expected to turn to Jose Maria 'Guti' Gutierrez.
There
is also a big question mark over the fitness of Ronaldo, who pulled a thigh
muscle in Wednesday's win over Valencia.
Real
medical staff will examine Ronaldo again on Friday before deciding if he can
play.
If
Ronaldo gets the thumbs down, Javier Portillo is likely to grab what would be
just his third start this season with both hands.
Real
are also without FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman is
out for at least another week after tearing a thigh muscle.
Catalan giants Barcelona travel to Sevilla on Sunday and a win could see them
finally claw their way back into the top six after an erratic first half of the
season.
However, Barca's beleagured Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard will keep his fingers
crossed that Thursday night's Spanish Cup game against Real Zaragoza will not
leave him with more players on his club's already extensive injury list.
Saturday (kick off GMT)
Real
Madrid v Villarreal (1830)
Albacete v Atletico Madrid (2030)
Sunday
Celta
Vigo v Real Sociedad (1600)
Espanyol v Real Betis (1600)
Malaga
v Valladolid (1600)
Racing
Santander v Murcia (1600)
Valencia v Osasuna (1600)
Real
Zaragoza v Real Mallorca (1600)
Sevilla v Barcelona (1800)
Athletic Bilbao v Deportivo La Coruna (2000)
Valencia have swept aside the importance of their 3-0 Spanish Cup defeat to Real
Madrid in midweek to affirm they are now the main challengers to the reigning
Spanish league champions.