Valencia CF face a key trip to Mendizorrotza in desperate need of points. The team, sitting bottom of La Liga with just one point from five games and on a run of four straight defeats, takes on a Deportivo Alavés side that is third in the table. The need for points is extreme, with the team having managed only one draw in their fixtures history this season.
The match presents a complete contrast in momentum. While the Vitoria-based side comes off a 5-2 home thrashing of Osasuna, Valencia lost 1-0 away to Sevilla last Friday. Juan Antonio Iglesias's 81st-minute goal decided that match and extended Valencia's poor run, which includes a 0-5 hammering by Barcelona.
The situation is tough. With only one goal scored and ten conceded, they have the worst goal difference in the league, a fact clearly reflected in the team's stats. The manager fielded a familiar eleven against Sevilla with Dimitrievski in goal, a back four of Arnau Martínez and José Gayà as full-backs, and a midfield featuring Pepelu and Javi Guerra. Arnaut Danjuma led the line. A lack of cutting edge continues to plague the team, which hasn't scored since August 30th.
The injury list is long. According to the club's latest medical report, Sergi Canós, Jesús Copete, Mouctar Diakhaby, Dimitri Foulquier, Diego López and Luis Rioja are all ruled out. Their absences limit Baraja's options for major tactical changes.
The opponent is in opposite form. With three wins in their last five matches, Luis García Plaza's side builds its solidity on a three-centre-back system. In their last match, a 1-2 loss to Racing, they lined up with Sivera; Tenaglia, Koski and Jonny in defence; and the attacking duo of Luis Boyé and Miguel Díaz. They also have absentees: forward Aitor Mañas is out with a head injury until the end of the month, while Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodríguez have cruciate ligament injuries with no return date.
For Valencia, this game is a chance to show character away from Mestalla. The squad needs a positive result to move away from the relegation places, a position that can be tracked on the standings, and build confidence for the rest of the campaign. The next fixture after this match will be hosting Real Betis at Mestalla next Sunday. The match kicks off on Tuesday, September 15th at 20:00 local time at the Estadio Mendizorrotza.
