Valencia’s Struggles: A Season of Challenges and Setbacks

Valencia CF is enduring a challenging season, concluding the first half in the newly established ‘Meriton zone’, which has seen considerable fluctuation over the past two years. Currently, the team finds itself in the relegation zone, exhibiting little indication of a way out. They appear to be frozen in their struggles. Despite approaching matches where they should secure more points, it is the minor details that have disproportionately affected their outcomes. In top-flight football, matches can last up to 97 or 98 minutes, and there always seems to be an event that tarnishes their performance.

This season, Valencia has only secured three victories, perpetuating a climate of negativity both within the club and among its supporters, which hampers their attempts to break free from this icy spell. One significant factor contributing to this situation is the recurring scenarios they have faced throughout the 19 matches played thus far. For much of the season, Valencia has frequently found themselves trailing on the scoreboard.

A recent example of their struggles comes from their performances at Mestalla, where the last three matches ended in identical 1-1 draws against Sevilla, Mallorca, and Elche. In each of these instances, they were forced to play catch-up. While they arguably deserved more from these matches, unfortunate circumstances have consistently penalized them. This trend has taken root in the team’s dressing room, with no clear resolution in sight.

This ongoing challenge of falling behind early in home games has become a pattern in the initial stages of the competition, weighing heavily on the team—a considerable burden. Valencia has only held a lead against Real Sociedad, Getafe, Athletic, Espanyol, Oviedo, and Levante, but they managed to win only three of those encounters. In the remaining matches, they dropped points, with Real Sociedad and Espanyol equalizing against them, and Oviedo managing a comeback. They have spent a mere 244 minutes in a leading position out of the 1,710 minutes of regular play, excluding stoppage time. Interestingly, the team enjoyed its longest lead against Oviedo at Mestalla, holding the advantage for 81 minutes before succumbing to a late turnaround.

Conversely, statistics reveal a grim reality for matches where Valencia has fallen behind. They have trailed against Osasuna, Barcelona, Oviedo, Girona, Real Madrid, Betis, Sevilla, Mallorca, Celta de Vigo, Rayo, Atlético, Villarreal, and Elche—13 out of 19 matches—a staggering and difficult statistic to digest.

Valencia has spent 570 minutes playing from behind, with the match against Osasuna being the most challenging, as they trailed for 81 minutes. The disparity between playing ahead and behind is stark, illustrating the complexity of the team’s situation, which shows few signs of confidence or resolution as they remain mired in the standings.