La Liga: Neville still searching for first win
Valencia downed 1-0 by Villareal as manager conceded top-four finish difficult
PHOTO: AFP
BARCELONA:
Valencia will find it tough to qualify for next season’s Champions League following their 1-0 reverse at Villarreal on Thursday, said new coach Gary Neville.
The former England and Manchester United defender was brought in to put the club back on track after a slow start to the season but they are yet to win under him in three La Liga games.
Two draws and a defeat have left them 10th in the table after 17 matches, 11 points adrift of Villarreal who occupy fourth spot, the position that earns qualification for the preliminary round of the Champions League.
Neville's Valencia denied in four-goal thriller
“It is a large distance to make up and I am concentrating on the next game [against Real Madrid on Sunday],” Neville told a news conference. “The defeat makes it a lot more difficult but there are still points to be played for.”
Valencia began very defensively against Villarreal with a five-man rearguard and, although they came out of their shells after the break, conceded from a Bruno Soriano free-kick in the 64th minute. “We needed to pass the ball better. We were bunched together too much and we should have looked to attack more,” said Neville.
Barcelona look to carry on 2015 momentum
Barca rounded off a five-trophy haul in 2015 with a 4-0 win over Real Betis in midweek to also set a new record tally for Spanish football of 180 goals in a calendar year.
Copa del Rey: Mina, Negredo gift Neville first Valencia win
Their quest to repeat that feat in 2016 comes in the first of three Barcelona derbies in 10 days away to Espanyol on Saturday — the teams will also meet over two legs in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
“2015 has been the best year for all of us. To end the year in this way feels great, but we are aware that in three days we begin a new year with a special game,” captain Andres Iniesta told Barca TV.
Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are all expected to return after being rested against Betis as Barca look to extend a seven-game winning run against their local rivals.
Copa del Rey: Neville seeks first win as Valencia boss in Cup
Atletico’s late show with two goals in the final two minutes at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday ensured they stayed level with Barca at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more.
Angel Correa scored and Thomas Partey and Jackson Martinez provided assists off the bench in Vallecas and all three could be rewarded with starts when the league’s bottom side Levante visit the Vicente Calderon.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2016.
Valencia will find it tough to qualify for next season’s Champions League following their 1-0 reverse at Villarreal on Thursday, said new coach Gary Neville.
The former England and Manchester United defender was brought in to put the club back on track after a slow start to the season but they are yet to win under him in three La Liga games.
Two draws and a defeat have left them 10th in the table after 17 matches, 11 points adrift of Villarreal who occupy fourth spot, the position that earns qualification for the preliminary round of the Champions League.
Neville's Valencia denied in four-goal thriller
“It is a large distance to make up and I am concentrating on the next game [against Real Madrid on Sunday],” Neville told a news conference. “The defeat makes it a lot more difficult but there are still points to be played for.”
Valencia began very defensively against Villarreal with a five-man rearguard and, although they came out of their shells after the break, conceded from a Bruno Soriano free-kick in the 64th minute. “We needed to pass the ball better. We were bunched together too much and we should have looked to attack more,” said Neville.
Barcelona look to carry on 2015 momentum
Barca rounded off a five-trophy haul in 2015 with a 4-0 win over Real Betis in midweek to also set a new record tally for Spanish football of 180 goals in a calendar year.
Copa del Rey: Mina, Negredo gift Neville first Valencia win
Their quest to repeat that feat in 2016 comes in the first of three Barcelona derbies in 10 days away to Espanyol on Saturday — the teams will also meet over two legs in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
“2015 has been the best year for all of us. To end the year in this way feels great, but we are aware that in three days we begin a new year with a special game,” captain Andres Iniesta told Barca TV.
Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are all expected to return after being rested against Betis as Barca look to extend a seven-game winning run against their local rivals.
Copa del Rey: Neville seeks first win as Valencia boss in Cup
Atletico’s late show with two goals in the final two minutes at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday ensured they stayed level with Barca at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more.
Angel Correa scored and Thomas Partey and Jackson Martinez provided assists off the bench in Vallecas and all three could be rewarded with starts when the league’s bottom side Levante visit the Vicente Calderon.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2016.