Javi Guerra’s Journey: A Path to Rediscovery at Valencia

Javi Guerra made a late appearance in the Bernabéu during the 87th minute with a score of 4-0, having only five minutes to play. To many fans, this substitution appeared peculiar, but it may have been an effort to ignite his sense of pride. Guerra had previously played a full match in the Copa against Maracena, a team from a lower division, which is not always a favorable matchup. Currently, Guerra is in a phase of rediscovery, aiming to become the key player that coach Corberán needs. This situation is a double-edged sword, raising the question of whether he will experience that crucial ‘click’ on the field.

The season has not commenced in the desired manner for the coach, which has reflected in the team’s performance over the past month. Up until this point, Guerra had been an indisputable starter under Corberán since his arrival last January. Last season, he participated in 21 matches, with all appearances being as a starter, with the exception of two games against Ourense and Barcelona in the Copa. This season began with Guerra as a regular fixture in the starting eleven.

In the first five league matches, he was consistently in the lineup until the match against Espanyol. Since then, his appearances have been erratic, resembling a traffic light’s alternation between red and green. He was a substitute against Espanyol, regained his starting position against Oviedo, then returned as a substitute against Girona, only to start again against Alavés and Villarreal. His struggle to find his place on the pitch has led to this inconsistency. Consequently, he played a match in the Copa against a lower-tier team and was a substitute during the game at the Bernabéu. This was perhaps a wake-up call aimed at encouraging him to feel a sense of urgency and to extract more from his abilities.

Guerra is a crucial player for the team. It remains to be seen if Corberán’s approach with him has been effective. The strategy aimed at rekindling his passion and performance on the field is now under scrutiny. Substituting him in the 87th minute at the Bernabéu—where he displayed more determination in those brief minutes than the rest of the team throughout the match—represents the last hope for his revival. The question now is whether that essential ‘click’ will happen, allowing him to step up as a leader for Valencia. The moment has come for him to take a definitive step forward, given the current circumstances of the team.