La Liga Preview Part IV: Fighting for Europe
By Stephen Kuzner, WFD La Liga Blogger

As of this writing, I don’t know if La Liga will start this week or not or even when. To continue the preview of the league here are the teams that will be vying for a spot in Europe whether it be the Europa League or Champions League. All seven of these teams have a chance at Europe. To me though, the most interesting thing will be whether Valencia finishes 3^rd for a 3^rd straight year. We hear about #1 and #2 being etched in stone for either Barca or Madrid, but is #3 the same deal for Valencia? By the end of the transfer window, the whole La Liga guide in PDF format 20+ pages of La Liga soccer-intelligence will available. My goal in all this was to have one page per team that a fan could read in 5 minutes before a game to have a short preview to help if they are new to La Liga. Kind of like what a broadcaster might have in front of them during the game. Not too much information and not too little. Let’s take a look at who has a chance a Europe.

9. RCD Espanyol | Flagship example of the movie: ”How The Cantera Saved La Liga”.
8. Sevilla FC | The past few years has been a slow slide. It continues this year.
7. Málaga CF | Starting a team from scratch with a ton of cash still takes time.
6. Atlético Madrid | Look great again on paper, but are too volatile to pick higher.
5. Villarreal CF | Loss of Cazorla is enough to sink the yellow submarine one spot.
4. Athletic Bilbao | Stability, a great buy, two world class players, depth, and Bielsa.
3. Valencia CF | VCF is written in permanent ink at #3 like the top two.

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Real Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona (Espanyol)

Founded: 1900 | 76 Years Top Flight | 6^th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Periquitos (Parakeets), Blanquiblaus (White and Blues)
Ground: Estadi Cornellà-El Prat (40,500)
Last Year: 8^th (49 Pts)
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Formation & Style: 4-3-2-1

BEST 11

Cristian Álvarez (GK) | Argentine. Age 25. Rosario Central product.
Dídac Vilà (LB) | Spain U21. Age 22. Rising star. Espanyol product.
Juan Forlín (CD-L) | Argentina 1 Cap. Age 23. 45 Apps for Espanyol. Boca Product.
Jordi Amat (CD-R) | Spain U20 (2011). Age 19. Espanyol product.
Albert Canal (RB) | Spanish. Age 20. Possible revelation this year?
Raúl Baena (LM) | Spain U21. Age 22. FC Barcelona Product.
Javi Márquez (CM) | “Catalonia 1 cap. Age 25. Captain. Espanyol product.
Joan Verdú (RM) | Spain U20 (2002). 71 apps for Espanyol. Age 28. FCB Product.
Sergio García (AM-l) | Spain 2 caps (2008). Age 28. FCB product. Winger & FW.
Luis García (AM-R) | Spain 7 caps (2008). Age 30. Vice Captain. Striker & Winger.
Pablo Osvaldo (CF) | Italy U21 (2008). Age 25. 13 goals in 24 apps for Espanyol.

Notable Returnees: Felipe Mattioni (RB), Álvaro Vásquez (FW), Ernesto Galán (RB/CB), Raúl Rodríguez (CB), Jesús Dátolo (WR), Thievy Bifouma "Bifouma" (FW), Rui Fonte (FW), Javi López.

Players In: Juan Albín (Getafe), Adrián Luna (Defensor Sporting), Dídac Vilà (AC Milan), Ferran Corominas “Coro” (Osasuna), Marvin Zeegelaar (Ajax), Héctor Moreno (AZ).

Players Out: Ivan De la Peña (Retired), José Callejón (Real Madrid), Javier Chica “Chica” (Real Betis), David García (Girona), Iván Alonso (Toluca), Aldo Duscher (Barcelona), Manu Molina (SD Huesca), Román Martínez (Tigre), Ángel Martínez (Blackpool), Juanjo Ciércoles (Sabadell)

SUMMARY

Relatively speaking, Barcelona’s “other team” had the better season last year. Manager Mauricio Pochettino had 275 appearances for Espanyol as a player and became manger in 2009. Expect a 4-3-2-1. As of this writing, the team needs to offload keeper Carlos Kameni and still considering a transfer of striker Osvaldo, ideally for €20 million. The loses of José Callejón and Javier Chica will hurt some, but for team with as much youth and depth in quality youth, Espanyol should be able to recalibrate if with the loses of Carlos Kameni and Osvaldo. In Joan Verdú, Sergio Garcia, and Luis García they have enough versatility and creativity to adjust the offense. At this point, the projected backline of Dídac Vilà, Juan Forlín, Jordi Amat, and Albert Canal is very young with an average age just under22, but is extremely talented. Part of last year’s success was youth, and this year will be the same. Other possible revelations include Ex-Arsenal Rui Fonte, Ex- Ajax Marvin Zeegelaar, Thievy Bifouma, and Álvaro Vásquez (Osvaldo’s replacement?).

Prediction: 9^th (Fighting for Europe)

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Málaga Club de Fútbol

Founded: 1948 | 10 Years Top Flight | 25^th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Boquerones (Anchovies)
Ground: La Rosaleda (28,963)
Last Year: 11^th (46 Pts)
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Formation & Style: 4-4-2

BEST 11

Wilfredo Caballero (GK) | "Willy". Argentina U20 (2001). Age 29. Boca product.
Nacho Monreal (LM) | "Natxo". Spain 4 caps. Age 25. La Liga's best LB last year.
Joris Mathijsen (CD-L) | Netherlands 72 caps. Age 31. Willem II product.
Martín Demichelis (CD-R) | “Micho”. Argentina 33 caps. Age 30. 174 Bayern apps.
Jesús Gámez (RB) | Spain U23 (2005). Age 26. Málaga product. Captain.
Joaquín Sánchez (LM) | “Joaquín”. Spain 51 caps. Age 30. Real Betis product.
Jérémy Toulalan (CM) | France 36 caps. Age 27. Defensive mid. Nantes product.
Antonio Galdeano (CM) | “Apoño”. Spanish. Age 27. 114 Málaga apps & product.
Santi Cazorla (RM) | Spain 34 caps. Age 26. Ambidextrous winger. Oviedo product.
Júlio Baptista (FW) | “The Beast”. Brazil 47 caps. Age 29. Attacking midfielder.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (FW) | Netherlands 70 caps. Age 35. UCL 2^nd all-time scorer.

Notable Returnees: Sebastián Fernández (FW), Duda (MF), Rubén Martínez (GK), Enzo Maresca (MF), Eliseu (MF), José Salomón Rondón (FW).

Players In: Francisco Román “Isco” (Valencia), Diego Buonanotte (River Plate), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Hamburg), Nacho Monreal (Osasuna), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburgo), Jérémy Toulalan (Lyon), Sergio Sánchez (Sevilla), Joaquín Sánchez (Valencia), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal).

Players Out: Jordi Pablo (Villarreal B), Francesc Arnau (Retirado), Mtiliga (FC Nordsjælland), Sergio Asenjo (Atlético), Manuel Gaspar (Cartagena), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Panathinaikos), Javi López (Jaén), Xavi Torres (Levante), Manu Torres (Cartagena), Daniel Toribio (Ponferradina), Edu Ramos (Villarreal B).

SUMMARY

Manchester City of La Liga? 100% yes. They are buying everyone to win…NOW. 12 months ago, I wrote: “Al-Thani’s plan is to build and invest slowly over the next 3-4 years”. Ha! How quickly things change. The best move was getting manager Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean manager combines South American creativity with European organization. Not that long ago he got Villarreal to the UCL semi’s. He got them out of the relegation scrap last year and will be critical in a team so many new players. Trying to work out their best eleven can be a fun thing. There is a wealth of riches for Pellegrini to employ. Apoño, Duda, Rondón, Eliseu, Júlio Baptista, Martín Demichelis, and captain Jesús Gámez all return. They’ve added the creative Santi Cazorla, the fundamentally adept Jérémy Toulalan, Nacho Monreal, La Liga’s best left back last year, defensive stalwart Joris Mathijsen, and blazing winger Joaquín. Add these players to a team that finished 11^th last year and Málaga should make a jump. Expect a lot of goals from Baptista, van Nistelrooy, and Rondón.

Prediction: 7^th (Fighting for Europe)

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Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D.

Founded: 1905 | 67 Years Top Flight | 1 Title | 7^th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Sevillistas, Rojiblancos (Red-Whites), Los nervionenses
Ground: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán (48,649)
Last Year: 5^th (58 Pts)
Manager: Marcelino García Toral
Formation & Style: 4-4-2

BEST 11

Andrés Palop (GK) | Spain call-ups, but no caps. Age 37. Valencia product.
Fernando Navarro (LB) | Spain 2 caps (2008). Age 29. FC Barcelona product.
Alexis Ruano (CD-L) | “Alexis”. Spain U21 (2006). Age 26. Center or left back.
Julien Escudé (CD-R) | France 13 caps. Age 32. 126 Sevilla apps. Cannes product.
Martín Cáceres (RB) | “Pelado”. Uruguay 33 caps. Age 24. Center, right, & left.
Diego Perotti (LM) | Argentina 1 cap. Age 23. Left winger & attacking midfielder.
Gary Medel (CM-L) | “Pitbull”, aka Chili’s Gennaro Gattuso. Chile 33 caps. Age 24.
Ivan Rakitiæ (CM-R) | “Rakete”. Croatia 35 caps. Age 23. Versatile. Basel product.
Jesús Navas (RM) | “Navitas”. Spain 13 caps. Age 25. Blazing winger.
Álvaro Negredo (F) | "La Fiera de Vallecas" (The beast of Vallecas). 20 goals.
Frédéric Kanouté (F) | Mali 39 caps. African Footballer of the Year (2007). Age 33.

Notable Returnees: Koffi Romaric (MF), Mouhamadou Dabo (RB & LB), Federico Fazio (C-DF) Arouna Koné (FW), Javi Varas (GK).

Players In: Manu del Moral (Getafe), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg), Martín Cáceres (Barçalona), Coke Andújar (Rayo), Emir Spahiæ (Montpellier), Emiliano Armenteros (Rayo).

Players Out: Alfaro (Mallorca), Lautaro Acosta (Racing Santander), José Carlos (AEK), Juan Torres “Cala” (AEK), Renato Florêncio (Botafogo), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Ivica Dragutinoviæ (Retired), Diego Capel (Sporting CP), Sergio Sánchez (Málaga).

SUMMARY

Sevilla last year wasn’t the Sevilla we have come to know and love over the past decade. An early exit from the Champions League and a 5^th place finish were well below expectations last year. Luis Fabiano leaving will be a good thing. However, the departures of Renato, Didier Zokora, Diego Capel, and Sergio Sánchez will smart a bit. Competing in three competitions, depth could be an issue and the club needs to improve on the 60 goals they conceded last year. The additions of Manu del Moral, Piotr Trochowski, and Coke Andújar will help. In terms of a starting 11, the club has a lot. Jesús Navas is a world class winger, Negredo scored 20 goals in La Liga last year, Ivan Rakitiæ is a creative and versatile midfielder, Gary Medel is Chili’s and Sevilla’s midfield “Pitbull”, defender Martín Cáceres is coming off a Copa America title with Uruguay, Fernando Navarro, Alexis, and Escudé round out a quality backline. There is a lot for manager Marcelino García Toral to work with. The big thing this year is the top eight in La Liga is very crowded. Sevilla could finish anywhere between 3^rd and 8^th and it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Prediction: 8^th (Europa League Qualifier)

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Club Atlético de Madrid, S.A.D. (Atlético Madrid)

Founded: 1903 | 74 Years Top Flight | 9 Titles | 5^th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Los Colchoneros (Mattress-makers), Los Rojiblancos (Red & Whites)
Ground: Vicente Calderón (54,851)
Last Year: 7^th (58 Pts)
Manager: Gregorio Manzano
Formation & Style: 4-4-2 | 4-2-3-1 | 4-1-3-2

BEST 11

Sergio Asenjo (GK) | Spain U21 (2010). Age 22. Valladolid product. Up-coming.
Filipe Luís (LB) | Brazil 1 cap (2009). Age 26. Healthy? Figueirense product.
Diego Godín (CD-L) | Uruguay 47 caps. Age 25. Physical, composed, distributes.
Álvaro Domínguez (CD-R) | Spain U19-21. Age 22. Center/left. Atlético product.
Luis Perea (RB) | Columbia 48 caps. Age 32. Center &  right back. Endeavour.
Elias Mendes (LM) | “Elias”. Brazil 8 caps. Age 26. Box to box. Palmeiras product.
Tiago Mendes (CM-L) | “Tiago”. Portugal 58 caps. Age 30. Versatile midfielder.
Paulo Assunção (CM-R) | "Assunção" Brazilian. Age 31. Defensive mid.
José Antonio Reyes (RM) | “Perla”. Spain 21 caps (2006). Age 27. Sevilla product.
Radamel Falcao (FW) | Columbia 31 caps. Age 25. World Class. River P. Product.
Diego Forlán (FW) | “Cachavacha”, Uruguay 82 caps. Age 32. Pichichi winner x2.

Notable Returnees: Mario Suárez (MF), Raúl García (MF), Antonio López (DF), Koke (MF), Fran Merida (MF), Juanfran Torres (MF), Juan Valera (DF), Thibaut Courtois (GK).

Players In: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Tiago Mendes (Juventus), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Sergio Asenjo (Málaga), João Miranda (Sau Paulo), Sílvio Pereira (Braga), Adrián López (Deportivo La Coruña), Gabi Fernández (Real Zaragoza), Arda Turan (Galatasaray), Radamel Falcao (Porto).

Players Out: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Tomáš Ujfaluši (Galatasaray), Sergio Gontán "Keko" (Catania), David De Gea (Manchester United), Germán Pacheco (Karpaty), Juan Valera (Getafe), Raúl García (Osasuna), Rúben Micael (Zaragoza).

SUMMARY

Last year, Atlético started the season with high hopes coming-off winning the Europa League and UEFA’s Cup Super Cup, and ended with a 7^th finish; making my 3^rd place prediction in last year’s WFD La Liga preview look foolish. Former coach, Quique Sánchez Flores’ cold relationship with Diego Forlán probably contributed Atlético’s manic/depressive 2010-11 season. Although a historic power in La Liga, Atlético is known for institutional volatility. The transfer of Sergio Agüero to Manchester City could have hurt, but is off-set by the arrival of Falcao. A minor recalibration of the team is likely. Although highly respected, new manager, Gregorio Manzano, has coached 17 teams in 28 years. With a degree in Psychology, he is master motivator, out the box thinker, and user of unorthodox training methods. This seems fitting. He prefers a 4-4-2 which the club used most of last year. The loss of Agüero and rising goal keeper David de Gea will be off-set with a number of great buys including Sergio Asenjo, Adrián López, Gabi Fernández. There is talent and uncertainty.

Prediction: 6^th (Europa League)

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Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D.

Founded: 1923 | 12 Years Top Flight | 20^th All-Time Table
Nicknames: El Submarino Amarillo (The Yellow Submarine)
Ground: El Madrigal (25,000)
Last Year: 4^th (62 Pts)
Manager: Juan Carlos Garrido
Formation & Style: 4-4-2 / 4-3-3

BEST 11

Diego López (GK) | Spain 1 cap (2009). Age 29. Lugo product.
Cristián Zapata (LB) | Columbia 27 caps. Age 24. CB/RB. Deportivo Cali product.
Mateo Musacchio (CD-L) | Argentina 2 caps. Age 20. Revelation. River product.
Carlos Marchena (CD-R) | “"El Mataor de Sevilla"”. Spain 67 caps. Age 32.
Ángel López (RB) |  Spain 5 caps (2008). Age 30. RB/RM. Las Palmas product.
Borja Valero (LM) | Spain 1 cap (2011). Age 26. Central Mid. Real Madrid Product.
Marcos Senna (CM-L) | Spain 28 caps. Age 35. 228 Villarreal apps. Central Mid.
Bruno Soriano Llido (CM-R) | “Bruno”. Spain 2 caps. Age 27. Defensive Mid.
Javier Camuñas (RM) | Spanish. Age 31. Attacking Mid, Winger, or Striker.
Giuseppe Rossi (F) | “Bambino”. Italy 24 caps. Age 24. 32 goals all competitions.
Nilmar Honorato (F) | “Nilmar”. Brazil 23 caps. Age 27. Internacional product.

Notable Returnees: Gonzalo Rodríguez (DF), Ruben Cani (MF), Joan Oriol (DF), Marco Ruben (FW), Hernán Pérez (MF), Mario Gaspar (DF), José Catalá (DF), Wakaso Mubarak (MF), Bruno Soriano (MF), Gerard Bordas (FW).

Players In: César Sánchez (Valencia), Edu Ramos (Málaga), Cristián Zapata (Udinese), Javier Camuñas (Osasuna).

Players Out: Santi Cazorla (Málaga), Javier Oliva, Cícero João “Cicinho” (Roma), Juan Carlos (Levante), Iván Marcano (Olympiacos), Joan Capdevila (Benfica), Jozy Altidore (AZ), Cristóbal Márquez (FC Karpaty Lviv), Javier Matilla (Real Betis), Jefferson Montero (Real Betis).

SUMMARY

Villarreal, top flight since 2000, enjoyed a great first half last season and then slow decline, but finished 4^th. They recently qualified for the UCL group stages. Villarreal aggressively press and use  quick passing game. Manager Juan Carlos Garrido has been known to deploy numerous formations. Like many in La Liga, the club has needed to reduce its wage bill. Transferred out are Santi Cazorla, Jozy Altidore, Joan Capdevila, Cristóbal Márquez, Javier Matilla, and Jefferson Montero. Cazorla and Capdevilla will hurt, but the rest are replaceable. Year in year old the past decade, they’ve rebuilt and won. Cristián Zapata should indirectly or directly somewhat help compensate for Capdevilla. The same goes for Javier Camuñas for Cazorla. The midfield is still very strong with the creative Borja Valero, rock-solid Bruno Soriano, aging wonder Marcos Senna, and Ruben Cani. Defensively, Mateo Musacchio was a revelation last year and Carlos Marchena is a quality top flight center back. Up top, Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar are one of the two or three best forward pairings in La Liga and UCL.

Prediction: 5^th (Europa League)

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Athletic Club (Bilbao)

Founded: 1898 | 80 Years Top Flight | 8 Titles | 4^th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Los Leones (The Lions)
Ground: San Mamés (39,750)
Last Year: 6^th (58 Pts)
Manager: Marcelo Bielsa
Formation & Style: 4-5-1 (Counter-Attacking) or the 3-3-1-3 of Chile?

BEST 11

Gorka Iraizoz (GK) | 30 year old Spanish veteran stalwart goal keeper.
Koikili Lertxundi (LB) | 30 year old Spanish journeyman left back.
Fernando Amorebieta (CD-L) | Venezuelan-Spanish yellow-card latten center back.
Mikel San José (CD-R) | Fine 22 year old Spanish central and utility defender.
Andoni Iraola (RB) Veteran with 5 Spanish caps, passes well, pugnacious.
Javi Martínez (MF) | World Cup winner. He starts on any team, but Barçalona.
Ander Herrera (MF) | U20 Spanish International. His signing may tip the scales.
Iker Muniain (MF) | U20 Spanish International. A revelation last year.
Carlos Gurpegi (MF) | 30 year old Spanish defensive mid-fielder.
Gaizka Toquero (FW) | Spanish forward who’s work-rate earned him a starting role.
Fernando Llorente (FW) | “Lion King”, World Cup winner, & Top 10 Global Striker.

Notable Returnees: Markel Susaeta (MF), Pablo Orbaiz (MF), Borja Ekiza (DF), David López (DF), Igor Gabilondo (MF), Xabier Castillo (DF), Jon Aurtenetxe (DF).

Players In: Ander Herrera (Real Zaragoza),

Players Out: Ion Vélez (Girona FC), Mikel Orbegozo (Las Palmas), Urko Vera (Bilbao Athletic), Díaz de Cerio (Córdoba), Íñigo Pérez (Huesca), Iban Zubiaurre (Albacete).

SUMMARY

Bilbao is one of 3 clubs that have never been relegated from La Liga. Known for their “Basque policy” of either developing Basque youth players and/or signing professional players native to the greater Basque Country inside and outside of Spain, Bilbao had a better than expected season in 2010-2011 qualifying for the Europa League with a 6^th place La Liga finish. The past few years they have been a big, strong, physical team that knocks down opponents and then hits them on the counterattack and set-plays. Tactically, this year we could see a very different Bilbao from new coach Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa’s Chile in this past World Cup played a very attacking 3-3-1-3. It will be interesting to see how he’ll mold his attacking principles around a team build very differently personnel-wise. Bilbao has depth and talent all over the field. Target-man forward Fernando Llorente and multi-dimensional mid-fielder Javi Martínez are world class players that won the World Cup with Spain and would walk into almost any team’s starting eleven. Combine them with utility defender, Mikel San José, and keeper, Gorka Iraizoz, and you have a very strong spine. Add in attacking midfielders Ander Herrera and Iker Muniain, both Spanish U20 Internationals and rising stars, and Bielsa’s attacking philosophies may bear fruit. With Bilbao’s talent and personnel stability, a top four finish is must-have goal for Los Leones, even with a new coach and new philosophy.

Prediction: 7^th Place (Champions League)

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Valencia Club de Fútbol

Founded: 1919 | 73 Years Top Flight | 6 Titles | 3^rd All-Time Table
Nicknames: Los Che (Surprise / Exclamation), Murciélagos (Bats), Valencianistas
Ground: Mestalla (55,000)
Last Year: 3^rd (71 Pts)
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation & Style: 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1

BEST 11

Diego Alves (GK) | Brazilian. Age 26. Penalty shot stopper. Rising star.
Jérémy Mathieu (LB) | France U21 (2006). Age 27. LB/winger. Sochaux product.
Hedwiges Maduro (CD-L) | Netherlands 14 caps. Age 26. CB/Df Mid. Ajax product.
Ricardo Costa (CD-R) | Portugal 10 caps. Age 30. CB or fullback. Boavista product.
Miguel Monteiro (RB) | “Miquel”. Portugal 59 caps. Age 31. Sporting CP product.
Daniel Parejo (LM) | “Dani”. Spain U21. Age 22. Central Mid. Real Madrid product.
David Albelda (CM-L) | Spain 51 caps (2008). 312 Valencia apps. Age 33. Alzira.
Éver Banega (CM-R) | “Tanguito”. Argentina 9 caps. Age 23. Boca Juniors Product..
Pablo Hernández (RM) | Spain 4 caps. Age 23. Right winger. Valencia product.
Aritz Aduriz (FW) | “El Zorro”. Spain 1 cap (2010). Age 30. Antiguoko product.
Roberto Soldado (FW) | “Soldier”. Spain 2 caps (2007). Age 26. R. Madrid Product.

Notable Returnees: Alberto Tino Costa (MF), Bruno Saltor (DF), Mehmet Topal (MF), Jonas (FW), Vicente Guaita (GK), Ángel Dealbert (DF), Jordi Alba (MF), Miguel Monteiro (DF).

Players In: Adil Rami (Lille), Diego Alves (Almería), Feghouli (Almería),  Daniel Parejo (Getafe), Pablo Piatti (Almería), Cristiano Pereira (Braga), Sergio Canales (Real Madrid).

Players Out: Asier del Horno (Levante), David Navarro (Neuchatel), Vicente Rodríguez, César Sánchez (Villarreal), Miguel Alfonso "Míchel" (Hércules), Francisco Román “Isco” (Málaga), Chori Domínguez (River Plate), Joaquín Sánchez (Málaga), Manuel Fernandes (Besiktas), Renan Brito (Internacional), Nacho González (Standard Liège), Anthony Lozano “Choco” (CD Alcoyano).

SUMMARY

Valencia, 6 time La Liga winners, are 3^rd on La Liga’s all-time table, finished 3^rd the last two years, and have a good chance to finish (you guessed it) 3^rd this year. This will prove very hard. To reduce its wage bill (like everyone in La Liga it seems), they’ve need to sell players at a premium and find more economical replacements. Two years ago they sold David Silva and David Villa bought Artiz Aduriz and Roberto Soldado to good effect. This year, they have relieved themselves of 16 players via sales, contract terminations, or free transfers. Juan Mata and Joaquín Sánchez were sold at premiums. Mata’s loss will sting. But, the club has bought very well with Adil Rami, Diego Alves, Daniel Parejo, Pablo Piatti, Cristiano Pereira, and Sergio Canales. Oddly enough, they may be better again replacing a World Class player like Mata with a few very good players. Outside or Madrid or Barca, Valencia probably has the next best first 20 players in a squad.

Prediction: 3^rd (Champions League)