Deportivo La Coruña vs Real Valladolid Match Preview
Breaking into La Liga top four at the end of Day 26 is a possibility for Deportivo La Coruna.
With 42 collected points, Los Blanquiazules seat two points behind 4th placed Sevilla.
Therefore, a victory against Valladolid will put them on 45 points and they’ll remain fourth if only Sevilla and Mallorca drop points elsewhere.
Last week already, Deportivo La Coruna managed to hold Los Nervionenses to a 1-1 draw. Fans might have want to see more in attack but at least a point was good enough to please Deportivo coach Miguel Angel Lotina.
In a bold statement, Lotina declared:
"We are not easy to beat."
Surely, they’ll try and show that on Saturday when they come up against Real Valladolid at the Riazor stadium.
Above all, it will be an affair of vengeance. Deportivo were trounced 4-0 in the first leg of this fixture and letting a repeat of this humiliating result will only contribute in removing the club’s momentum.
Now talking about Real Valladolid, they are not only very physical in their play but also attacking minded – and they showed just that against Real Madrid last week.
Yes, Valladolid lost 4-1 to Los Blancos the last time out but the score line didn’t reflect every aspect of their game. On another lucky day, they might have stunned Real Madrid by scoring three goals and securing a draw at least.
Anyways, the final outcome will urge Coach Onesimo Sanchez to change his defensive tactics. We do say that you become the most vulnerable when you attack and this is certainly the case with Sanchez’ side.
They are constantly caught at the back so what approach will they have against Deportivo La Coruna?
One player who can thank the heavens for being able to feature this weekend is Nivaldo. The defender was guilty of a reckless tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo’s leg but ran away unpunished.
Now despite being at the centre of intense talks in the Spanish press throughout the week, Nivaldo will be able to step on the field and help Valladolid beat Deportivo La Coruna.
Real Valladolid are in 19th position and 6 points adrift 17th placed Zaragoza, so a win on Saturday will be very much needed.