Valencia visit Mendizorroza tonight needing to arrest their slide and put points on the board after the worst league start in their history. According to Superdeporte, in-form Alavés under Quique Sánchez Flores will provide a stern examination.
Interim coach Óscar Sánchez leads the team with limited time to imprint ideas, prioritising greater defensive solidity and clearer routes to goal. With an interim at the helm, the onus is firmly on the dressing room to step up and earn places in the next coach’s plans.
Sánchez said the squad are eager to turn the situation around, that his staff were well received and that he sees a responsible, hungry group. He added they want to compete well in Vitoria and he is convinced they will. He also stressed that age will not deter him from selecting his academy players.
Despite getting back Guido Rodríguez and Luis Rioja for midfield, absences bite hard in defence. Only Justin De Haas is available as a senior centre-back, so options include promoting Íker Córdoba or Alejandro Panach, or dropping Pepelu if Rodríguez is ready or if Aliou Dieng continues.
Alavés pose a sizeable test at home despite defeat at El Sardinero to Racing, with Mariano Díaz revived and Lucas Boyé and Antonio Blanco shining. With only five goals conceded behind goalkeeper Antonio Sivera, they are likely to force Valencia to improve their meagre attacking return.
“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”
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