Valencia Club de Fútbol is plunged into a deep crisis following their defeat at Riazor against Deportivo, a result that highlights structural problems within the club. According to a report by Marca - Primera published this week, the team displayed a "shameful" first half according to coach Carlos Corberán himself, with players publicly admitting a lack of attitude and courage.
The team currently sits 17th in La Liga with just one point from three matches, having recorded zero wins, one draw, and two losses. Their recent form is LLD and their goal difference is alarming: they have scored only once while conceding four times. This leaves them eight points behind leaders Real Madrid and facing a tough upcoming fixture against fourth-placed Barcelona on September 6th at Mestalla.
What did the players say after the match?
Post-match comments from Riazor paint a bleak picture of the Valencia dressing room. Goalkeeper Dimitrievski was blunt, stating: "Nos falta poner huevos, no estamos a la altura del club" (We lack courage, we are not at the club's level). His teammate Luis Rioja added more context about the halftime team talk, explaining that "En el descanso nos ha dicho unas cosas que fallaban tácticamente, pero esto no va de eso, va de falta de actitud" (At halftime he told us some things that were failing tactically, but this isn't about that, it's about a lack of attitude). These words confirm the issue goes beyond tactics into the realm of motivation and commitment.
The relationship between the coaching staff and players was already strained during the previous campaign, when the team avoided relegation on the final day. That negative dynamic has not improved and, according to the report, continues to worsen daily. The squad is described as poor in attitude, technique, physicality, and tactical understanding.
Why is the situation so critical now?
The crisis is not new, but it has intensified at the start of the 2026/27 season. The Marca - Primera report indicates the main problem is the lack of a coach capable of getting the best from the available players. Carlos Corberán has been showing, according to this view, an insufficient level for the challenge for months. Despite the poor first-half performance at Riazor, he made no substitutions at halftime, a decision that has been heavily criticized.
The sporting direction also faces severe criticism. It is labeled incompetent in the transfer market, a serious accusation when the team urgently needs reinforcements. The management of Peter Gourlay, who is accused of keeping Corberán in his job with little real interest in the club's future, and the figure of Ron, described as someone who "came to retire," complete a picture of mismanagement. The fans, meanwhile, attend Mestalla in a disengaged and domesticated manner, lacking the passion that once characterized the Valencia fortress.
How does the injury list affect the crisis?
The situation is further complicated by an extensive injury list that limits the manager's options. Key players such as S. Canós, J. Copete, J. De Haas, D. López, P. Maffeo, and G. Rodríguez are currently sidelined. This depletion of the available squad, which you can check on our injuries page, reduces Corberán's ability to react and forces him to repeat lineups with underperforming players.
The sporting crisis, which according to the analysis began before September, threatens to last the entire season if drastic measures are not taken. The team urgently needs a change of direction, starting with the next match against Barcelona. Another defeat could definitively shatter the morale of an already fragile group. The current league standing, which you can follow on our standings page, demands an immediate reaction to move away from the relegation zone.
The schedule offers no respite. After Barça, Valencia must face a series of decisive matches, the order of which you can see on our fixtures page, to try and turn around a situation that seems to be slipping from their grasp. Survival in the top flight is at stake from the very first month of the competition.
