As the summer transfer window edges closer to its conclusion, Liverpool find themselves in a precarious position. Despite the media linking them with numerous players, the Reds have yet to secure any new signings. With the deadline looming on September 2, Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, alongside head coach Arne Slot, is actively exploring potential targets to bolster the squad. One potential Liverpool candidate could be Giorgi Mamardashvili, highly valued by the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester United.



Their goalkeeping department is one area that appears to be under scrutiny; even though it may not be an immediate concern. The Merseyside club lost their third-choice goalkeeper, Adrian, but still boast two top-tier shot-stoppers in Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher. Despite this, recent reports from the Spanish media suggest that Liverpool are considering an investment in a new goalkeeper; specifically Valencia’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/top-5-stars-at-euro-2024-who-deserve-new-transfers/">Giorgi Mamardashvili</a>.



Mamardashvili, a 23-year-old Georgian international, has spent the last three seasons with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/valencia-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Valencia</a>; amassing 100 appearances and keeping 13 clean sheets in 37 league games last season. His impressive performances for Georgia at Euro 2024, where he made 29 saves in just four matches, have further enhanced his reputation.



Valencia, reportedly willing to sell Mamardashvili for a fee between $38 million and $43 million, has been fielding interest from various top clubs. Bayern Munich were among the interested parties, but Mamardashvili ruled out a move there, citing the presence of Manuel Neuer. “Bayern still have the best goalkeeper in the world [Manuel Neuer],” he told <a href="https://x.com/Plettigoal/status/1807553966416506933" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Germany</a>. “It’s currently not possible to move there. I would only go there if I’ll play. If I don’t play, then not.”



<h2>Liverpool’s wise plan</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/16034553/Liverpool-Mamardashvili-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-521197" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



Liverpool’s interest in Mamardashvili is seen as part of a long-term succession plan for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/24/worlds-best-alisson-the-goalkeeper-who-transformed-liverpool/">Alisson Becker</a>. According to <a href="https://www.relevo.com/futbol/mercado-fichajes/liverpool-mamardashvili-cederlo-bournemouth-20240805143436-nt.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Relevo</a>, the club is prepared to offer $33m for the Georgian goalkeeper. However, the plan involves loaning Mamardashvili back to Valencia until Alisson departs Anfield. This strategic move allows Liverpool to secure the services of Mamardashvili while addressing their current stability in the goalkeeping department.



Alisson Becker remains one of the best goalkeepers in world soccer, with three years left on his Liverpool contract. The Brazilian has kept 114 clean sheets in 263 appearances for the Reds, contributing to five trophy wins during his six-season tenure. However, with Alisson now on the wrong side of 30, Liverpool must consider a succession plan. Reports suggest that lucrative offers from the Middle East could tempt Alisson to move, despite Liverpool’s current stance of retaining him.



<h2>What’s next for Mamardashvili and Liverpool?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/16034552/Liverpool-Mamardashvili-1-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-521198" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



The Georgian’s journey to becoming one of La Liga’s standout goalkeepers began when he joined Valencia from Dinamo Tbilisi in July 2021. Initially arriving on a loan deal, his move was made permanent six months later. Since then, he has become a key player for Valencia, making 100 appearances and keeping 31 clean sheets.



His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool and other high-profile clubs showing interest. While a move to England would be significant, the strategy to loan him back to Valencia or potentially to another Premier League club, such as Bournemouth, indicates Liverpool’s long-term planning.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Liverpool come up with cunning strategy for Alisson's successor

Liverpool reportedly want to buy Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili as a long-term replacement for Alisson Becker.

Liverpool come up with cunning strategy for Alisson's successor - World Soccer Talk

After falling down 2-0, Real Madrid rallied to draw level with Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday. 



But they believed they had clinched it in the dying minutes when Jude Bellingham headed the ball beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili.



The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> players went absolutely ballistic when they realized that Bellingham’s goal wouldn’t count. In fact, just before Brahim Diaz had crossed the ball in, referee Jesus Gil Manzano sounded the whistle.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/haaland-mbappe-bellingham-who-is-the-most-valuable-player-20240114-WST-483408.html">Bellingham</a> was one among many members of Carlo Ancelotti’s team to approach Gil Manzano. Nevertheless, his response was so extreme that the referee sent him off. Thus, he would miss at least the next match against Celta Vigo.



Los Blancos and the Englishman will have to deal with the disappointment of this unfortunate situation. 



If the referee had waited just a few seconds longer to blow the whistle, they would have triumphed against Valencia. The downside is that they have lost points for the second time in the past three weeks.



<h2>What did Ancelotti say about Bellingham?</h2>



Following Jesus Gil Manzano’s decision to reject the late winner, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/brazil-in-turmoil-as-ancelotti-commits-to-real-madrid-until-2026-20231229-WST-480287.html">Carlo Ancelotti</a> demanded an explanation from the Spanish referee. Also, he has spilled the beans on the English midfielder’s dismissal just after full-time.



According to the Italian experienced manager, Bellingham just stated, “It’s a fu**** goal,” and had no intention of insulting the referee. “Something unprecedented has happened and it’s never happened to me before. We were annoyed by Bellingham’s red card because he didn’t say anything insulting. It was frustration.



“The player was clear in what he said. It’s true that he argued vehemently after the goal and that’s normal. It was not an insult at all. Let’s see what the referee writes in the official report.



“Had the referee blown the whistle when the Valencia keeper cleared the ball, it would have been right but he allowed play to continue and we had possession. I think he has made a mistake.



“We are upset and angry. It’s normal but we have to get back to normal because we have an important game on Wednesday. We have to cool down a bit because the team is still seething. To cool down you have to look at the table. We can still sleep well tonight”, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68460081" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="435" height="348" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/16044812/image-2-435x348.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-492852" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px"></figure></div><figcaption>Bellingham had a strong reaction to the disallowed goal</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Bellingham to get tougher fine?</h2>



The English midfielder will definitely not play in next weekend’s match against Celta Vigo. Nonetheless, he may face a lengthy suspension from participating in future matches.



Regardless, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/AranchaMOBILE/status/1764061514712207685" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arancha Rodriguez</a>, Los Blancos plan to challenge the red card handed to the 20-year-old. The <a href="https://rfef.es/en/federation/organization-chart/organization-chart" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation</a> will review the case next week.



The 20-year-old might miss two or three games if his appeal is denied; Gil Manzano reportedly reprimanded the player for approaching him in an “aggressive manner”, per <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2024/03/02/65e3adde22601d7f308b4574.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marca</a>.



As part of his report, Manzano noted: “After the conclusion of the game, still on the field of play, [Bellingham] approached me with an aggressive attitude, repeatedly shouting, ‘It’s a f****** goal’.”



Wednesday or Thursday is when Real Madrid will most likely hear about the final decision. With points lost in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">La Liga</a> championship fight, they will be quite keen to have Bellingham available whenever possible.



Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

What Bellingham told referee per Ancelotti, Madrid to appeal

After falling down 2-0, Real Madrid rallied to beat Valencia 3-2 at the Mestalla on Saturday night - or so they thought.

What Bellingham told referee per Ancelotti, Madrid to appeal - World Soccer Talk

Rather than represent England on the international stage, Declan Frith, a winger for Valencia, is prepared to dedicate himself to the United States.



Due to his grandmother’s lineage, the English player will be able to feature for the US national team in March, when he applies for a passport. The <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/usa-declan-frith-england-chelsea-fc-aston-villa-b1124405.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evening Standard</a> add that Frith is a potential first pick for the U.S. Under-23 squad.



Nonetheless, he may soon follow in the footsteps of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule">AC Milan</a> midfielder <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/milan-thank-pulisic-and-musah-for-growth-of-popularity-in-usa-20231119-WST-471386.html">Yunus Musah</a>, a former Mestalla player and American international of English descent.



Scouts from the United States have kept tabs on the kid for the last two years. Thus, an alleged approach from Jamaica is reportedly off the table.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/16052348/Musah-USMNT-1200x670-1200x670.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-474602" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Musah played at the World Cup for the USMNT</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Who is Declan Frith?</h2>



Following his release from Charlton Athletic in 2021, Frith joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> from non-league Welling United. Since then, he has been seen by scouts in the United States.



The versatile forward, who has experience on both the left side of attack and defense, joined Aston Villa following a brief five-month stint with the Blues. The highlight of his eight goals and seven assists in 24 appearances for Villa’s under-21 squad came in a match against Birmingham City, an inter-city rivalry.



In the 2022-23 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> 2 season, the multipurpose striker appeared in 12 games, scoring six goals and assisting on five more. He also made two appearances in the EFL Trophy. Yet, his agents found him a fantastic new opportunity, thus his stay in England came to a temporary end. Frith was just signed by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-la-liga-on-us-tv-and-internet/">La Liga</a> side Valencia this past summer.



In contrast to the English system, which does not have under-21 teams in its divisions, the player was first assigned to play for their reserve team. In fact, they take part in the fourth tier of Spanish soccer. Despite an administrative holdup, he has scored twice and assisted once in his first two youth league games.



Furthermore, he has played three times for Valencia B in the third tier. The 21-year-old could soon earn a promotion to the first squad in the near future, as the financially stressed former Spanish powerhouses place an increased emphasis on youngsters.



<h2>USMNT and dual nationals: Never-ending story</h2>



Looking at the World Cup roster gives the impression that the United States men’s national team has generally fared well with dual nationals. 



The recruitment war, however, is ongoing in the modern era since there are always players debating their international future.



In addition to Yunus Musah, the Netherlands-born <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/sergino-dest-returning-to-the-netherlands-on-loan-from-barca-20230820-WST-451142.html">Sergiño Dest</a> had previously also passed up good chances to play for the Dutch national team. While Antonee Robinson and Cameron Carter-Vickers may have waited for an opportunity with England, Jesus Ferreira might have stayed with Colombia.



Although it seemed unlikely, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pulisic-and-musahs-usmnt-teammate-tipped-for-ac-milan-move-20231007-WST-460982.html">Christian Pulisic</a> and Tim Weah were both eligible to play for national teams other than the United States national soccer team. Another deal with Alejandro Zendejas was previously finalized with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a>.



A recent spate of important recruiting victories for the U.S. men’s national team included Folarin Balogun’s pledge, the most recent and maybe largest of them. Like the Monaco attacker, U.S. Soccer still has a long way to go before they can celebrate a huge victory. The Americans might benefit from the presence of talented dual nationals at any point in time.



Photo credit: IMAGO / News Images IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Following Musah's path: English player opts to represent USMNT

With the addition of another English player, the United States men's national team might continue its impressive streak of dual nationals.

Following Musah's path: English player opts to represent USMNT - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_2150" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2150" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2150" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2009/10/Pep-Guardiola.jpg" alt="Pep Guardiola cannot believe it either." width="500" height="364"></figure></div>Pep Guardiola cannot believe it either.</div>
After a workmanlike 1-0 victory against Almería and a mediocre showing in their 0-0 draw at the Mestalla against Valencia CF on Saturday, FC Barcelona looked to reverse their form in the Champions League against a supposed weaker team in FK Rubin Kazan.&nbsp; To their credit, Barça did not make any excuses about their performance against Los Che, but they did suffer from the FIFA virus because a vast majority of their players contributed to their respective countries’ national teams across the globe.&nbsp; Pep Guardiola rested Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi flew to and from South America and competed in two crucial and stressful World Cup qualifiers with Argentina, Thierry Henry picked up a thigh injury while playing for Les Bleus, and many others not mentioned here.&nbsp; Before the match, Seydou Keita spoke about their Ukrainian opponents:
“It won’t be an easy game.&nbsp; They will come to the Nou Camp to defend like all they do and we’ll have to go out strong to create chances and score.”
Rubin Kazan also entered this contest without playing at their highest standards.&nbsp; In control of the Russian Premier League through much of the season and with a seven-point lead with eight games to play, the Tatars turned their focus on the Champions League.&nbsp; Fairly inexperienced in juggling domestic and European responsibilities, the distraction of the Champions League led to a dip in form in Russia, which included a draw and two losses before a routine and pedestrian 2-1 win over hapless FC Khimki on Saturday.&nbsp; Spartak Moscow took advantage of a faltering Rubin Kazan and shaved the league deficit to a single point with five rounds remaining.&nbsp; Facing Barcelona at the Camp Nou was one of the last tasks that Rubin Kazan needed.
Rubin Kazan erased any fears of the Catalunyan atmosphere when Aleksandr Ryazantsev delivered a shock thirty-yard strike in the second minute to give the visitors the 0-1 lead.&nbsp; Immediately after a Barça attack that culminated in an unanswered penalty claim, Rafael Márquez misplayed a goal kick from Sergei Ryzhikov.&nbsp; The ball headed in the direction of Ryazantsev, who decided to take the shot first time from a country mile away.&nbsp; His searching effort became one of the goals of the Champions League season as his sweetly struck bullet pierced the top right corner of Victor Valdés’ unsuspecting goal.&nbsp; The Camp Nou faithful were flabbergasted, the Barcelona players were stunned, and most of all, Ryazantsev’s teammates were astonished by both the shot and the sudden lead.
The goal annoyed the blaugrana more than anything, and they continued their assault on the Rubin goal; however, Rubin Kazan’s organization was outstanding, and Barça could not find the breakthrough against this highly disciplined Russian side.&nbsp; When Ibrahimovic equalized early in the second half with a little spin-o-rama magic of his own, the pervasive feeling was that of inevitability.&nbsp; It was not if Barcelona would win but by how many.&nbsp; Apparently, Rubin Kazan did not get the memo, and they continued to persist with their defensive game plan.&nbsp; Rubin would only have three shots for the entire match, but each one was on target, and their third and final shot proved to be the game winner.&nbsp; After another Barcelona giveaway, Alejandro Domínguez sped down the Barça half in a blistering counter-attack.&nbsp; The timing of his through-ball to Gökdeniz Karadeniz was impeccable, and Karadeniz’s one-timer from fifteen yards flashed across the face of goal and bundled the back of the net.
Barcelona’s attempts to make the match all-square were in vain, as two of their efforts hit the frame of the goal and the others handled by Sergei Ryzhikov.&nbsp; The final statistics compare to a video game: twenty-four shots with thirteen on target, 69% of the possession, eleven corners to one, and a mind-boggling 654 passes at an 86% completion rate.&nbsp; With these numbers, Barcelona won 5-0, right?&nbsp; Not on this European night.&nbsp; The streets of Kazan will flood with joyous supporters who will cherish this night as the night when their beloved Tatars slayed the Catalunyan dragon.
The expectations for Barcelona from the media and the team itself are so astronomical that little blips on the radar become immediate crises.&nbsp; After the match, Xavi Hernández was at it again, bemoaning Rubin Kazan’s tactics and overall play to the Spanish sports daily Diario AS:
“It was a very dissatisfying match from the start, conceding a goal into the top corner from thirty yards at the very beginning.&nbsp; Then we had many chances and made it more difficult for them.&nbsp; We played well at times, we opened up the pitch and had spells.&nbsp; But it is difficult to measure a team that only defends, especially if you do not find the final pass.&nbsp; They leave with an undeserved prize.”
Sometimes, humility would be a nice change of pace.&nbsp; While Xavi gave no credit to Rubin Kazan for their gritty display on Tuesday night, plaudits will rain from many media outlets about this fairly unknown team from Russia and their desire and intensity.&nbsp; Well done Rubin and the loyal supporters who traveled many miles to the Camp Nou to witness their small slice of history.
What got lost from Xavi’s remarks is a question many will ask tonight and throughout the season.&nbsp; Did Valencia and Rubin Kazan provide blueprints to earn results against this unrelenting Barça side?&nbsp; Somewhat.&nbsp; If a less technically gifted team goes against Barcelona, follow the Rubin Kazan plan: defensive organization, midfield flooding, and opportunistic counter-attacks.&nbsp; If the team can truly compete with Barcelona’s talent, follow the Valencia plan: keep possession, shackle Dani Alves and Eric Abidal as much as possible, and force Victor Valdés into some contested crosses and shots.&nbsp; Even if all of these principles are followed, as many teams have tried, it will likely be all for naught.&nbsp; That is the beauty of this FC Barcelona outfit.&nbsp; Their single-minded nature to attack and attack and attack eventually crumbles their opposition.&nbsp; When Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari last season, one of the main reasons was that he did not have a plan B if plan A did not work.&nbsp; If Barcelona’s plan A does not work, which happens quite rarely, they execute plan A even harder.
President Joan Laporta and the Barcelona supporters need not worry at this point.&nbsp; Barcelona is on top of La Liga and their congested group in the Champions League.&nbsp; No team will sail through a season without some difficulties, and these recent struggles might be for the best because if Barcelona started to believe in their own accolades, Pep Guardiola will surely point to their performances against Almería, Valencia, and Rubin Kazan.&nbsp; Even when Barcelona was at their best, Guardiola kept them on level ground.&nbsp; The players will listen to him, and they will rise from this temporary setback.
Saques de Esquina:
– With a three-goal lead at Stuttgart, Sevilla FC resorted to time-wasting tactics that an inferior team would do if it could earn a point away from home.&nbsp; Really?&nbsp; Stuttgart did pull a goal back from Élson’s whipping free kick, but Sevilla did not need to act as though they were a Tercera División side in a Copa del Rey tie.
<div id="attachment_2166" style="width: 164px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2166" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2166" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2009/10/Jose-Mourinho.jpg" alt="Courtesy of halighalie" width="154" height="206"></figure></div>Courtesy of halighalie</div>
– Hoping to squeak out a last-minute victory over Dynamo Kyiv, Inter Milan manager José Mourinho sent in defender Marco Materazzi as a battering ram forward, similar to what he did at Chelsea when he would use Robert Huth in the same fashion.&nbsp; The thought of Touré Yaya or Federico Fazio acting as emergency strikers should strike fear in the hearts of defenders everywhere.
– Is Jens Lehmann always angry with someone?&nbsp; After Frédéric Kanouté legitimately fell in the penalty box due to a legal sliding challenge from a Stuttgart defender, Lehmann got in Kanouté’s face, likely accusing him of diving.&nbsp; Lehmann seems to thrive in this role, whether he alienates the opposition or his own teammates.

With Rubin Kazan's Deserved Victory, FC Barcelona Suffers a Minor Setback

With Rubin Kazan's Deserved Victory, FC Barcelona Suffers a Minor Setback - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_1938" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1938" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-1938" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2009/09/Sevilla-FC.jpg" alt="Sevilla FC" width="500" height="375"></figure></div>Photo courtesy of Metro Centric.</div>
While the press and the media focus most of their ink and font on the newly built Real Madrid and the continued brilliance of FC Barcelona, Sevilla carries on with their consistent good form.&nbsp; On the surface, there is nothing too sexy that immediately grabs headlines, but arguably, Luís Fabiano is currently playing as the best forward in the world since the continuation of World Cup Qualifying at the beginning of June.&nbsp; He tallied four goals in four Eliminatorias Sudamericanas for the Seleção, including a brace in a historic road victory against Argentina, five goals in the Confederations Cup to earn that tournament’s Golden Shoe, and three goals in four matches in all competitions for Sevilla this season.
Sevilla also made some shrewd acquisitions in the summer transfer window to bolster the squad.&nbsp; They brought back Lolo from his loan spell at Málaga and bought Didier Zokora from Tottenham Hotspur for €10 million to reinforce the central midfield, they got Espanyol academy graduate Sergio Sánchez for €3 million to augment the defense, and they acquired Álvaro Negredo from Real Madrid for €14 million to deepen the pool of strikers. &nbsp;Probably the best move Sevilla made in the close season was not an acquisition but the ability to keep Luís Fabiano from suitors such as AC Milan.&nbsp; Now they are two deep in every position on the pitch and can cope with the demands of three competitions without compromising their ability to feature quality squads in each competition.
An inauspicious start to the La Liga initially raised questions about the viability of Sevilla this season.&nbsp; Even though Frédéric Kanouté earned a red card at the end of the first half against Valencia, Valencia outplayed Sevilla for the entire match, save for a few pockets of brilliance sprinkled in between, and lost their first game of the season at the Mestalla 0-2.&nbsp; A defeat by the hands of Valencia was by no means shameful, but Sevilla wanted to build on their third place showing from last season with a defining opening win in the biggest game of Jornada 1.&nbsp; Manolo Jiménez did not allow his players to sulk after the setback, and his Sevilla side defeated Real Zaragoza and Osasuna in La Liga in an easy fashion and turned away a disciplined Unirea Urziceni outfit 2-0 in the Champions League.
In sixth position at the start of Round 4, Sevilla faced a fourth placed Mallorca squad that gained seven points in their first three matches, including an unlikely 1-1 draw at El Madrigal against Villarreal in torrential rain and a 4-0 flogging against promoted Tenerife.&nbsp; Sevilla engendered a feeling of vast superiority as they made Mallorca look ordinary and unworthy to hold such a high position in the La Liga table.&nbsp; Sevilla combined their penchant for neat, passing football with a more direct approach to play Mallorca off the field in the first half.
The first goal came after seventeen minutes, when Julien Escudé flicked a header from a corner in the direction of Sébastien Squillaci, and Squillaci outleaped Mallorca midfielder Bruno China to the header and scored from five yards away.&nbsp; The second Sevilla goal arrived in the 25th minute, and this time, they displayed the fluid football for which they have been known.&nbsp; Jesús Navas initiated the move with a run down the right wing, where he passed the ball to Luís Fabiano.&nbsp; Continuing the run, Navas slashed inside toward the penalty area where Fabiano produced a cutting ball to Navas inside the box.&nbsp; Taking two defenders with him, he resumed his dash toward the end line and supplied a telling ball across the six-yard box and over Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate’s head.&nbsp; Diego Perotti headed the cross into the back of the net from a yard out, but there was a good possibility that Navas’ cross would have gone in anyway.
Mallorca would eventually become more comfortable and create some opportunities, most of them in the last ten minutes of the first half.&nbsp; Aritz Aduriz’s header forced a good save by Sevilla goalkeeper Andrés Palop in the 38th minute, Sevilla defenders blocked shots by Pierre Webó and Aduriz in the 44th minute, and Palop batted away Fernando Varela’s near-post strafer in the 45th minute.
The second half consisted of more Sevilla pressure from every part of the pitch, whether it was an inch-perfect diagonal ball from just inside their own half to the right edge of penalty area by Negredo, a lung-busting run by left back Adriano down the left wing that forced substitute goalkeeper Germán Lux out of his area, or a couple of headers inside the area from Squillaci that tested Lux.&nbsp; Alhassane Keita, a 74th minute substitution for Webó, was the only Mallorca player that constructed some positive moves toward goal, including a one on one with Palop that eventually fell apart because Keita looked for contact inside the box by oncoming defender Escudé rather than focusing on the shot.
A 2-0 full-time score flattered Mallorca, but nevertheless, Sevilla continued their good run of form heading into a crucial three games, which include a trip to San Mamés to go against resurgent Athletic Bilbao, a journey to Ibrox Stadium to face a robust Rangers side, and a home fixture against high-flying Real Madrid.&nbsp; In the Sevilla season preview, the question was asked if Sevilla could break the Barcelona – Real Madrid duopoly and finish in the top two.&nbsp; Barring injury, Sevilla should definitively finish in a Champions League spot.&nbsp; If they continue to keep the discipline and shape in the back four, maintain the defense that gave up the second fewest goals in La Liga, and create numerous goal-scoring opportunities that was lacking in the previous season, do not be surprised to witness a split between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the end of the campaign.

Sevilla Flies Underneath the Radar

Sevilla Flies Underneath the Radar - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft" src="http://valencia.theoffside.com/files/2008/12/valencia.png" alt="" width="194" height="194"></figure></div>As has been well documented over the past few seasons, Valencia CF have seen better days.&nbsp; A dismal 10th place finish in 2008 was followed by a respectable, but still disappointing 6th place finish in 2009.&nbsp; On the field, a love hate relationship with David Villa, spats with Quique Sánchez Flores,&nbsp; the <a href="http://valencia.theoffside.com/spain-la-liga/2-points.html">epic flop of one Ronald Koeman</a> and a resignation by former club president Juan Soler have turned Valencia into a real life telenovela, minus the beautiful Spanish debutantes.
With all of the trials and tribulations Valencia have faced on the pitch, their woes lie in the absolute Mount Everest of debt the club has racked up.&nbsp; In June 2008 the club was in the hole to the tune of EUR 502 million and was forced to stop construction on the New Mestalla in February, thanks to the bust of real-estate and construction markets in Spain.&nbsp; The club also fell behind on payments to David Villa and David Silva, Valencia’s biggest stars.&nbsp; The debt has forced the club to consider selling it’s new stadium for EUR 300 million to help repay it’s creditors.
To avoid administration, Valencia was forced to raise some serious capital, and turned to their loyal fans for support.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.valenciacf.com/contenidos/Actualidad/Noticias/2009/08/noticia_19176.html?__locale=es">According to VCF Chairman Tarsilo Piles</a>, Valencia raised EUR 18 million by selling shares of the club to fans for EUR 48.05 a piece.&nbsp; Piles said&nbsp; “The interest of the foundation is to democratize the club so that we do not end up in the same situation as before and also so no one has a large enough piece to control the entire club.”
Valencia’s Assets
The largest assets to a majority of football clubs lie with it’s players and Valencia is no different.&nbsp; David Villa has been rumored to come with a EUR 60 million price tag, but recent reports say Villa will stay put in Valencia after the club looked absolutly ridiculous this off-season with a footballing version of ‘He Loves Me’&nbsp; (we want him, we want him not, we wan’t him…).
Reports in May placed David Silva at around EUR 45 million when he was rumored to be heading to Anfield to reunite with former Valencia skipper, Rafa Benitez.&nbsp; At the same time, reports had Valencia offering a staggering GBP 135 million blockbuster deal to Manchester City for the duo.&nbsp; Yes, that was to Man City and it could have been for GPB 300 million the way the papers report it, but you get the idea.
The club could also look to offload highly touted Ever Banega, who never materialized at Valencia and was off on loan at Atletico Madrid until the start of this season.&nbsp; He was out of place his entire stay at the club.&nbsp;&nbsp; Valencia paid EUR 18 million for Banega back in 2008 and he quickly gained notoriety for his exploits in the homemade porno industry, or as Banega himself titled, Banega, Always Big (I’ll leave the intrepretation to you). Banega was set to go to Stuttgart for GBP 7.5 million, <a href="http://loco4losche.com/blogweb/index.php?/archives/267-Unai-Emery-and-Fernando-Gomezs-relationship-has-grown-cold-after-disagreement-over-Banega-transfer.html">but a rough patch between Unai Emery and VP Fernando Gomez has seemed to derail the train for now. </a>
A New Hope
Reports say Valencia <a href="http://valenciacf.lasprovincias.es/noticias/2009-08-22/generalitat-avalara-prestamo-bancaja-200908221346.html">have been approved for a new loan</a> backed by the Generalitat, Valencia’s regional government, from Bancaja for 74 million euros that will be repaid from the proceeds of a further share sale.&nbsp; With the new influx of money, the club will rely heavily on season ticket holders to come through and renew.&nbsp; Valencia have always had a strong socio base and last season more than 9,000 renewed their season tickets even before the 2009 season came to a close.
Valencia will also need to cash in on their appearance in the newly formed Europa League.&nbsp; An impressive finish in the Europa League would leave the club with an influx of cash they can use to repay some of the club’s outstanding debt, and restructure for the future.&nbsp; Below is the rubric for $$ for the UEFA Europa League in 2009/2010.&nbsp; If Valencia rack up some wins and move on, they can have a significant amount of money into the club, as well as the increase in gate revenue for the Europa League matches at home and any shared gate during away matches.
UEFA Europa League 2009/2010: 
1st qualifying round: 90.000 € 
2nd qualifying round: 90.000 € 
3rd qualifying round: 90.000 € 
Playoffs: 90.000 € 
Group stage: 1.000.000 € 
Group match victory: 140.000 € 
Group match draw: 70.000 € 
1st knock out round: 200.000 € 
2nd knock out round: 300.000 € 
Quarter-finals: 400.000 € 
Semi-finals: 700.000 € 
Final: 2.000.000 € 
Winning the final: 1.000.000 € 
What do you think of the club’s future?&nbsp; Will ticket sales and selling shares keep the club’s head above water, or are they just avoiding the inevitable? Is there anyway else for the club to raise the necessary funds to avoid administration?

Valencia Fans Pitch In to Help Right the Club's Woes

Valencia Fans Pitch In to Help Right the Club's Woes - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Valencia CF. Find out about all the news related to Valencia CF on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Valencia CF"