A reborn Valencia make the most daunting trip in European soccer at the moment to face Real Madrid on Sunday enthused with a swagger and confidence lost over two disastrous seasons.
Still one of Spain's biggest club based on budget and support, Valencia have finished 12th in the past two campaigns as Singaporean owner Peter Lim's tenure has been littered with a series of sacked coaches and expensive mistakes in the transfer market.
However, with former Villarreal boss Marcelino Garcia Total now in charge, Lim has finally followed the advice of fans to hire an experienced La Liga coach with an impressive track record.
Valencia opened its La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win over Las Palmas last weekend and will be stronger for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu with Gabriel Paulista, Jeison Murillo and Geoffrey Kondogbia set to make their debuts.
Following a clear change in policy by Lim all three have excelled in La Liga before and show a desire from Marcelino to recreate his success at Villarreal by building from the back.
Gabriel, who previously worked with Marcelinho at Villareal has joined on permanent deal, whilst Murillo and Kondogbia have arrived on a season long loan from Inter Milan.
"We have signed two central defenders that come from Arsenal and Inter, speak Spanish and know La Liga," said Marcelino.
"They are important factors. One of them I know very well and Murillo is a great player. They will bring us a competitive edge."
Still one of Spain's biggest club based on budget and support, Valencia have finished 12th in the past two campaigns as Singaporean owner Peter Lim's tenure has been littered with a series of sacked coaches and expensive mistakes in the transfer market.
However, with former Villarreal boss Marcelino Garcia Total now in charge, Lim has finally followed the advice of fans to hire an experienced La Liga coach with an impressive track record.
Valencia opened its La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win over Las Palmas last weekend and will be stronger for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu with Gabriel Paulista, Jeison Murillo and Geoffrey Kondogbia set to make their debuts.
Following a clear change in policy by Lim all three have excelled in La Liga before and show a desire from Marcelino to recreate his success at Villarreal by building from the back.
Gabriel, who previously worked with Marcelinho at Villareal has joined on permanent deal, whilst Murillo and Kondogbia have arrived on a season long loan from Inter Milan.
"We have signed two central defenders that come from Arsenal and Inter, speak Spanish and know La Liga," said Marcelino.
"They are important factors. One of them I know very well and Murillo is a great player. They will bring us a competitive edge."
AFP/ Madrid
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