Hero’s welcome for Benitez, but Neville needs a Mestalla victory roar
RAFA Benitez will receive the unanimous backing of fans – they just won’t be his fans.
Benitez is being hounded out of Madrid by disgruntled supporters and unhappy players but this afternoon Valencia fans will drape a huge 60metre banner behind one of the goals with the words ‘Always grateful’ writ large and images of the two La Liga trophies and one UEFA Cup he won with the club between 2001 and 2004.
For Benitez it will be a fond reminder, but for Gary Neville it will put into even bigger perspective the job he has to do at the Mestalla. Valencia are 11 points off the Champions League places and he is still looking for his first league win.
‘He deserves the thanks of the supporters here for the big things that he achieved but the gratitude will end once the first whistle is blown,’ said Neville.
As well as being a game both must win this is also a return to their rivalry in England.
‘I’m not sure having faced him many times before will help me,’ Neville said. ‘This Real Madrid team has little in common with Benitez’s Liverpool.’
Benitez’s best Liverpool side ran Manchester United close for the title in the 2008-09 season. That Liverpool side was built on hard work and togetherness — two characteristics that have at times been lacking at Real this season. After early disagreements with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos his most recent fall-outs have been with attacking midfielders Isco and James Rodriguez.
The former was captured laughing on the bench by Spanish TV when Real Madrid conceded against Rayo Vallecano two weeks ago and has been an unused sub ever since.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez has off-the-field problems too. He was chased into Real Madrid’s training ground on Friday by traffic police after they clocked him doing 124 mph on his way to the Valdebebas complex.
‘I am more worried about how fast he travels against us on the pitch,’ said Neville.
He has a young squad hanging on his every word and he also has the full backing of his friend and business partner, Valencia owner Peter Lim. But there will not be any funds to strengthen an injury-hit squad this January.
Both he and Benitez desperately need a win and they will both have the backing of the Mestalla — at least at the start of the game.