Real meets Valencia in test for coaches
Print Edition
RAFA Benitez held on to his job last year but faces another tough test of his coaching credentials tomorrow when Real Madrid visits Valencia for its first Spanish league game of 2016.
Benitez has been the focus of criticism from disgruntled fans for Real’s unpredictable campaign, which has included a lopsided loss to fierce rival Barcelona and its embarrassing disqualification from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.
Real travels to Mestalla stadium after two easy victories at its own Santiago Bernabeu home that failed to win over its most skeptical supporters.
Real defender Pepe has called for calm. “We have to let our coach continue to improve,” Pepe said. “If a new manager came, we’d have to adapt to new systems and that isn’t good. We should save the evaluations for the end of the season.”
Real has struggled on the road this season, dropping points on four of eight of its outings. Its last away game ended in a 0-1 loss at Villarreal.
Real is in third place, two points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Defending champion Barcelona has played one less game than its rivals.
Benitez’s counterpart tomorrow is also in need of a victory.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville’s coaching debut has got off to an uninspiring start.
Valencia has only beaten a third-division side in the Copa del Rey since he took over. Otherwise, the team has recorded a pair of draws and two losses, including a poor showing in a 0-1 league defeat at regional rival Villarreal on Thursday. That loss left Valencia 10th — and 11 points from the UEFA Champions League spots.
“The team is united and we are trying to get a win as soon as possible,” said Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo. “January will be a key month.”
Barcelona makes the short trip across the Catalan capital to play the first of three derbies against Espanyol today.
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