Gámez, Siqueira and Moyá aren't Juanfran, Felipe Luís and Courtois... having said that it's been Miranda with the most disappointing performance so far.
La Liga - 2014/15
- Thread starter jojojo
- Start date
Defending. 
He was also dodgy as anything against Celta the other week. Juanfran is obviously a big miss, and I've been more impressed with Ansaldi so far over Siqueira.
3-1
Mandzukic scores, 3-1.
3-1 Mandzukic
3-1, Mandzukic
Just saw Valencia's 2nd goal again, Paco is really impressing with the quality and quantity of flick-ons this season, excellent link-up play for such a young CF.
Just saw Valencia's 2nd goal again, Paco is really impressing with the quality and quantity of flick-ons this season, excellent link-up play for such a young CF.
Otamendi and especially Gayá really impressing this season. Paco the stand-out though in my opinion.
Penalty to Atletico
Key moment of the game? Pen awarded to Atléti on stroke of HT, for a handball I think
Diego Alves great success rate at saving pens tho, something silly like 30-40%
Diego Alves great success rate at saving pens tho, something silly like 30-40%
Penalty for Atletico. This has all the incredients for an epic Atletico turnaround.
edit: Saved! Shit penno.
edit: Saved! Shit penno.
Penalty. I wouldn't have given it. I reckon the ref's combining that with the nearly penalty from a few minutes ago.
Saved! Justice
Saved! Justice
Siqueira 
Unbelievable... why does newcomer Siqueira take it anyway? Atléti really seem to have a weird relationship with pens... I remember Forlán used to miss a bunch in his day, then last season Diego Costa was also very poor at them... no-one else seems to want to take them... you'd think Koke or Gabi would step up, even Arda maybe? Bizarre
Apparently Siqueira's penalty record is taken 12, scored 10.
Gabi used to take pens for Zaragoza. Had a good record too I think.
I only really say it because of that goal against Porto. It was one of the first things I saw of him, after hearing about he and Rodrigo being purchased by the 3rd party group.
To me the goal was genius, and a tall player/midfielder with some skill to pull off individual moments is going to be valuable as he develops.
Just in. 3-1 already? Wtf?!
Is Valencia going to be last year's Atletico and challenge both Barcelona and Madrid for the title? Would be good for the league.
Is Valencia going to be last year's Atletico and challenge both Barcelona and Madrid for the title? Would be good for the league.
Yeah I knew he was a regular taker at Granada, but still considering it's his 1st season at the club, you'd assume the more seasoned set-piece experts would step in.
Atléti looking positive from the off, let's see if Valencia can survive sustained pressure
He is evolving well and quickly. He had some subpar games, where Benfica fans turn on him but to be fair he never had a decent run of games under Jesus. Nuno seems to know how to use him best. It would be funny if both him and Bernado Silva turn into world beaters, specially since Benfica´s midfield has been very poor.
Okay so expanding on Diego Alves' penalty saving skills, came across this,
He's faced 35 penalties in all competitions since coming to Spain in 2007: he has saved 16, one was hit wide, another hit the woodwork and 17 were goals. That's a 46% penalty save rate! Ridiculous.
He's faced 35 penalties in all competitions since coming to Spain in 2007: he has saved 16, one was hit wide, another hit the woodwork and 17 were goals. That's a 46% penalty save rate! Ridiculous.
Munir starts again for Barca.
That's amazing. Of course the great thing about that reputation is that the penalty takers know it as well.
Griezmann hasn't impressed at all this season, after an excellent year or so at La Real. Cerci on in his place, haven't seen much from him either so far.
Yeah, he's kept out the likes of Cristiano, Messi, Rakitic, Kanouté, Llorente etc., not exactly nobodies.
Valencia get off to a flyer most seasons then fall way off the pace. Expect the same again
What the fck just happened... I swear only in Spanish football, one second it looks like it's 3-2 with a few minutes to go, the next goal ruled out and the scorer sent off
I swear only in Spanish football, one second it looks like it's 3-2 with a few minutes to go, the next goal ruled out and the scorer sent off cerci off for handball
Cerci goal disallowed and red
I thought the ref was going to give the (handball) goal to Atletico for a moment there.
Still 3-1 FT
Still 3-1 FT
7 tackles 3 interceptions from young Gaya. Really does look similar to Bernat
Cerci got his second yellow for the handball.
Valencia have the joint 2nd best defensive record in the league behind Barcelona, who havent conceeded at all. Valencia have let in 4 during 7 matches
Diego Alves is a good goalkeeper, definitely one of the best shot stoppers in the world. Valencia fans used to tell me Guaita is better, he really wasnt.
Gaya has done a fantastic job replacing Bernat, they barely miss him. And Otamendi has taken on a lot of responsibility and put in solid but maybe not spectacular performances. He's got the job done clearing the ball out of the box
And this is a defence where Senderos got gametime last season. Imagine that
Diego Alves is a good goalkeeper, definitely one of the best shot stoppers in the world. Valencia fans used to tell me Guaita is better, he really wasnt.
Gaya has done a fantastic job replacing Bernat, they barely miss him. And Otamendi has taken on a lot of responsibility and put in solid but maybe not spectacular performances. He's got the job done clearing the ball out of the box
And this is a defence where Senderos got gametime last season. Imagine that
And Ricardo Costa was captain
Come on, Rayo, your turn now! Don't be useless for once.
It's very hard to watch Barca matches with Ray Hudson commentating. Gag
Yup. Alves is a bit shaky on high balls, but as far as shot-stopping is concerned he's golden... incredible reflexes at times + the penalty saving record of 46%... The hype surrounding Guaita came from a couple of immense displays against Barça, I believe. He's completely stagnated since then though.
I'm pretty sure he's a RAWK legend.
Kakuta's dribbling
Too bad his end product is sh*t
Too bad his end product is sh*t
Ooooooh.... save Bravo. Rayo started well.