If a game could be condensed into one clip on a highlights reel then Pablo Hernandez’s beautiful side-footed winner would have perhaps sated expectations in an encounter that promised much at the Mestalla.
Valencia - Sevilla was the blockbuster fixture in La Liga’s highly anticipated opening weekend but the open, flowing, creative game that was predicted never materialised. The first half in particular was something to be endured rather than enjoyed with the Mestalla’s horrible, rugged playing surface doing little to aid the flow of proceedings. Frustration grew for both sides as passes went astray and players’ touches awry. David Silva in particular seemed to take particular exception to the surface and treated fans to one of his worst displays this calendar year, his embarrassing first half performance encapsulated by his overhitting a simple through ball to Villa which would have but the ex-Zaragoza man clean through on goal.
Silva was given the chance to make amends after the interval, an opportunity that neither of the Sevilla duo Ndri Romaric or Frederic Kanouté enjoyed. The former limping off after half an hour to be replaced by Didier Zokora – a man intent on offering his best impression of a rabbit caught in the headlights - and the latter stupidly sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a raised foot.
Second Half Scolding for Sevilla
Kanouté’s sending off just before half time could be interpreted as a turning point in the game but in fact it barely affected Sevilla at all, they had been lackluster from the start and the loss of their main striker only served to starve a rather bored looking Luis Fabiano of company for the second half. For Valencia though, the red card gave them the impetus and confidence that they evidently needed in order to go out and win the game.
Moments after the restart, as the impressive Ever Banega stole in from the left in order to set himself of for a shot, Juan Mata rather jumped the queue and took it off his toes, steering an eighteen yard shot into the top corner. From that moment on, there was only ever going to be one winner, with Banega looking absolutely imperious in the centre of the park. Returning from an unproductive loan spell at Atletico Madrid, the young Argentine was certainly undaunted by the occasion, prepared to battle for the ball, take players on in midfield and attempt adventurous passes. This young man certainly has the raw talent to emerge as a quality central midfielder, though question marks remain about his consistency – notably shown by the occasions on which he gave the ball away – and temperament. That said, when he brings it together, as shown by Valencia’s second goal, the results can be spectacular.
Receiving the ball on the halfway line, Banega spun away from one red-shirted onlooker before employing a suprising turn of speed, combined with a deftness of touch to take it past another. Advancing on the Sevilla box, the little midfielder caressed a curling ball with the outside of his foot into the path of Pablo, who’s first time effort took everyone, not least Palop, by surprise as it nestled in the bottom corner. A goal that the game itself hardly deserved.
Valencian Vibrancy
Banega aside, this game did yield various positive signs for any fans of Los Che. Emery, as he showed at Almeria, is a master of working within a budget. Debut performances from Mattieu, Dealbert, Bruno and Moya were all encouraging and could perhaps lead to a more reliable backline from Valencia this season. With a fit squad and an improved home playing surface, the omens look good for a fourth place finish for Valencia this season at the very least.
On a slightly more sour note, after a summer’s break spent fantasising about the return of La Liga, it’s strange how the more repellent aspects of the league - the bogus injuries that cause the actual football to be frustratingly intermittent, the diving, the petulance and the horribly docile crowd – are all eradicated from minds busy picturing dazzling skills, crisp tika-taka football and a carnival atmosphere. Today however, these scars on the face of the Spanish game were out in force, detracting from a game that was as grim as the logos on Valencia’s shirts, ones that, as the commentator correctly opined: “wouldn’t look out of place in Gotham City”.
La Liga is most certainly back, but on this evidence, it looks set, once again, to be little more than a two team title race – it is our good fortune though, that those two teams happen to be Barcelona and Real Madrid.
