Valencia CF v Paris Saint Germain Pre/Post Match Analysis Thread

[Arquitecto]

-Valencia coach Ernesto Valverde has no significant injury worries ahead of the visit of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to the Mestalla on Tuesday evening as Roberto Soldado is back after a feared injury.

-The likes of Joao Pereira, Victor Ruiz and Diego Alves should return to the starting line-up, having been named among the substitutes for the 1-0 win over Celta Vigo at the weekend.

-Of the players who featured in Valencia's last meeting with PSG in the Emirates Cup back in 2007 in London, only David Albelda and Mamadou Sakho remain - though the latter is the only one of the pair expected to start.
Sakho's defensive partner Thiago Silva is out, as is namesake Thiago Motta with the pair nursing thigh injuries, though the Brazilian missed out the last couple of games through suspension.

-Blaise Matuidi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Christophe Jallet and Ezequiel Lavezzi were all on the bench in Friday's 3-1 win over Bastia, and all should return to the starting 11.

-David Beckham will travel to the Mestalla to watch his new team-mates in action, but has not been included in the squad. His first fixture is likely to be in the Clasico double-header against Olympique de Marseille in two weeks.

-Valencia sit in fifth place in La Liga, two points behind Malaga, but are unbeaten in four games - fixtures which have included Barcelona and Real Madrid.

-Los Che have not lost in 17 games out of 18 to Ligue 1 opposition, having beaten PSG's compatriots Lille in the group stage.

-Valencia have not lost a Champions League home game since September 2010 (1-0 v Man Utd) - a run of nine fixtures.

-The Parisien club have conceded just one goal on the road in Europe this season, in a 1-0 reverse to FC Porto.

-PSG's record in Spain reads W3 D1 L3. They lost their last fixture in Spain to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.

-PSG have not been this far (with the exception of a second group stage appearance in 2001) since 1994-95 - the year they were also last champions of France.


Expected Valencia line-up:

Alves
Pereira, Rami, R Costa
Victor Ruiz, T Costa
Piatti, Banega Guardado, Viera
-----------Soldado


Expected PSG line-up:

--------Sirigu
Jallet, Alex/Armand, Sakho, Maxwell
Lucas, Matuidi, Verratti, Lavezzi
----------Pastore
----------Zlatan


Valencia are far from the team that they were under Emery. Although recent results have been considerably solid along with the incursion of points, they still have key areas in which they lack the necessary strength to trouble PSG enough to knock them out. As a whole it'll be interesting to see since Valencia with this squad are fairly experienced within the Champions League while Carlo's PSG, manager aside is not bar the exceptions. I don't see such a blowout from PSG as predicted solely because PSG's expectations will be high, thus a great deal of pressure while Valencia have little to lose and the underdog mentality should help them, mentally. It also cannot be forgotten on how strong Valencia really is at the Mestalla no matter who the opponent.

Key Player: Matudi will be the key player her in the midfield battle along with protected the frail PSG fullbacks as if that is done to succession, PSG shouldn't have such a hard time in defence.

[sportsczy]

It'll come down to the midfield. psG can't just forfeit possession and rely on counters. As long as PsG get 1 goal and ot lose by more than 1 goal, the result is fine. Valencia are putrid away and good at Mastella.

[Xifio]

have the match recorded ... about to watch ...

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