On a sweltering evening at the Mestalla, the 2025/26 La Liga opener ended in a draw, with both sides using inverted wingers in contrasting tactical setups. Tactical analysis and match report by David Pugh. Valencia and Real Sociedad kicked off the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with renewed optimism, after their respective twelfth- and eleventh-place finishes last […]
Valencia, who have been down in the dumps, wanted to welcome their new leader with a feisty display to rattle the reigning champions. A renewal of rivalries sparked the Mestalla into life, but antics stirred a slumbering beast to strike its inevitable blow. Los Che crumbled in the final phase as the drama at the […]
Hansi Flick finds himself back in club football and keen to prove that his brilliance at Bayern was no fluke. Although he did not witness a seamless showing for his debut in the dugout, the German will be grateful for the contributions of a figure who has thrived with his handiwork. Tactical analysis and match […]
The holders were not seamless in their work against Valencia in this game. Yet, their display offered enough signs for Carlo Ancelotti to be quietly confident ahead of the weekend’s final. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Tumult continues to reign on the southeastern coast of Spain. Gennaro Gattuso is the fifth man […]
As expected, the match between sides coached by Gennaro Gattuso and Diego Simeone ended up being a physical, intense battle with a fair bit of controversy. Despite Gattuso’s Valencia executing a solid press and structured buildup, they could not break down Atlético Madrid’s final line of defense, and they were not able to beat Atlético […]
It took extra time and penalties for Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis to overcome a steadfast Valencia side. Valencia’s conservative approach (and the woodwork) kept them in the match, though a miss from Yunus Musah in the penalty shootout would end up being the factor that saw them fall short of the title. Tactical analysis and […]
Though Barcelona managed to put four goals past José Bordalás’ Valencia side, they very easily could have conceded just as many to the hosts. Xavi has his midfield and attack firing on all cylinders, but his transition defense is still quite lacking, and this win largely depended on penalty area heroics from his center-backs and […]
In an extremely intense and chaotic match, it took three second half goals from Atlético Madrid to secure the win. Whilst Diego Simeone’s side put in a lackluster shift in the first half, they showed much more urgency in the final third throughout the second half, and strong performances from Yannick Carrasco and Matheus Cunha […]
Though Valencia took the lead early through a Jose Gayá wonder-strike, it was Barcelona’s Ansu Fati and Memphis Depay who stole the show as the two each grabbed a goal as Barcelona completed the comeback over José Bordalás’ side. Tactical analysis and match report by Charlie Tuley. Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona came into the match against […]
A stylistic clash at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium promised to test the credentials of Sevilla, who faced a dogged Valencia outfit. Yet, it was the home team that would go on to show their resilience. Holding onto a commanding lead in the second half, they put on display that saw them clinch a deserved three […]