Valencia, content to go after the La Liga crown
seems to be willing to sit players for todays
home tilt with Genclerbiligi of Turkey. The Turks,
on the other hand will be going full force towards
a victory today.
I will be on GENCLERBILIGI + 1 1/2 + 105
Pinnacle wager.
Gametime 12:30 PM US Pacific.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN Soccernet - 3-25-04
Valencia v Genclerbirligi: Preview
VALENCIA, March 24 (UEFA Cup) - Valencia coach Rafael Benitez will have one eye firmly fixed on the Primera Liga title race as his side attempt to win a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
Valencia entertain Turkish side Genclerbirligi on Thursday in the return leg of their fourth-round clash, heading into the match 1-0 down from the first game in Ankara a fortnight ago.
However with his side only one point behind Real Madrid in the race for the Spanish League title, Benitez is likely to rest some key players ahead of the weekend's vital La Liga match against Racing Santander.
That means first team regulars such as Vicente Rodriguez, Amedeo Carboni, Santiago Canizares and Mista will all get a rest, while Pablo Aimar is still struggling to recover from a calf strain.
Those absences will open the door for other squad members such as Ricardo Oliveira, Juan Sanchez, Javier Garrido and Andres Palop, who are all expected to start.
Although La Liga is Benitez's main priority, the Mestalla faithful would not take well to what would be a shock European defeat to their Turkish opponents.
The Spanish giants certainly can't afford to take their opponents lightly, as the list of teams they have previously beaten in this year's competition shows.
Italian side Parma were conquered in the previous round, following Sporting Lisbon of Portugal and English side Blackburn Rovers to have been defeated the Turks.
Filip Deams has put the Ankara-based outfit halfway to another famous upset, scoring the winner in the opening game.
``It will be harder because Valencia are one of Europe's big clubs,'' Deams said, ``but we believe we can go through as we have already beaten other big clubs.''
In contrast to the Spaniards, Genclerbirligi have sacrificed their league campaign to focus on their European adventure, with last weekend's 3-1 victory over Sebatspor leaving them firmly rooted in mid-table.
Coach Ersun Yanal has no new injury or suspension problems.
seems to be willing to sit players for todays
home tilt with Genclerbiligi of Turkey. The Turks,
on the other hand will be going full force towards
a victory today.
I will be on GENCLERBILIGI + 1 1/2 + 105
Pinnacle wager.
Gametime 12:30 PM US Pacific.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN Soccernet - 3-25-04
Valencia v Genclerbirligi: Preview
VALENCIA, March 24 (UEFA Cup) - Valencia coach Rafael Benitez will have one eye firmly fixed on the Primera Liga title race as his side attempt to win a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
Valencia entertain Turkish side Genclerbirligi on Thursday in the return leg of their fourth-round clash, heading into the match 1-0 down from the first game in Ankara a fortnight ago.
However with his side only one point behind Real Madrid in the race for the Spanish League title, Benitez is likely to rest some key players ahead of the weekend's vital La Liga match against Racing Santander.
That means first team regulars such as Vicente Rodriguez, Amedeo Carboni, Santiago Canizares and Mista will all get a rest, while Pablo Aimar is still struggling to recover from a calf strain.
Those absences will open the door for other squad members such as Ricardo Oliveira, Juan Sanchez, Javier Garrido and Andres Palop, who are all expected to start.
Although La Liga is Benitez's main priority, the Mestalla faithful would not take well to what would be a shock European defeat to their Turkish opponents.
The Spanish giants certainly can't afford to take their opponents lightly, as the list of teams they have previously beaten in this year's competition shows.
Italian side Parma were conquered in the previous round, following Sporting Lisbon of Portugal and English side Blackburn Rovers to have been defeated the Turks.
Filip Deams has put the Ankara-based outfit halfway to another famous upset, scoring the winner in the opening game.
``It will be harder because Valencia are one of Europe's big clubs,'' Deams said, ``but we believe we can go through as we have already beaten other big clubs.''
In contrast to the Spaniards, Genclerbirligi have sacrificed their league campaign to focus on their European adventure, with last weekend's 3-1 victory over Sebatspor leaving them firmly rooted in mid-table.
Coach Ersun Yanal has no new injury or suspension problems.
