Complicated club Valencia still boasting talent to fear

ALL is not as it seems. In advance of a Europa League tie against glamorous opponents currently languishing in the doldrums, Celtic — and any Hoops supporters trying to set expectation levels — should beware of putting too much store in appearances.

Yes, the bare facts suggest that Valencia are in something of a state.

Their embattled head coach — a man who left his last club under an almost comically dark cloud — received a vote of confidence, never anything less than dreaded in footballing circles, just yesterday.

Whether or not Marcelino is still at the helm come February’s twolegged round of 32 tie, then, clearly depends on his team climbing from their current position of just 14th in La Liga.

Recently described by one pundit as ‘bipolar’, a crack at the inept attack being propped up by an impressive defence, there is definitely a hint of imbalance about this famous old club.

But, goodness, they’ve got some talent in their ranks. Proven winners. Genuine game breakers. And just enough unpredictability to guarantee plenty of entertainment.

Los Murchielagos are led by a captain whose phenomenal ability is matched only by an, ahem, lackadaisical approach to actually putting in any effort.

Boasting the second-best goals against record in the Spanish top flight, Valencia lack firepower mainly because of a rigid insistence on a 4-4-2 system that favours the skipper’s lazy brilliance — but keeps their best young natural No 10 stuck out on the wing. Plainly, there is a lot going on underneath the surface.

Any breakdown of Valencia has to start with the guv’nor, a coach in total control of the entire football department, including identifying and signing players.

This is extremely rare in a Spanish model where sporting directors are usually in charge of all recruitment. But, then, Marcelino (above), isn’t your average Spanish coach.

The former Villarreal boss was famously jettisoned by Yellow Submarine president Fernando Roig amid circumstances best described as dubious.

To recap, the lifelong Sporting Gijon fan gave his players three days off ahead of a meeting with his boyhood heroes — a club he’d played for and managed — on the final day of season 2015-16.

Gijon needed a victory to stay up and, wisely or otherwise, Marcelino said quite publicly that he really wanted them to survive.

When Sporting got the win? There were hints and aspersions, not least from El Presidente himself — although Roig insisted, when he finally swung the axe on Marcelino early the following season, that the ‘Gijon incident’ never entered his thinking. Perish the thought.

If the head man in the technical area is on the quirky side of colourful, his on-field deputy — Daniel Parejo — is arguably one of the most irritating footballers in the game.

Blessed with outrageous talent, an ability to do things that few could even imagine, the midfielder has faced persistent criticism of his work rate. Or lack thereof.

He was stripped of the captaincy by Gary Neville during the TV analyst’s brief-but-unhappy stint in charge of the team. Yet he’s trusted, some would even say indulged, by Marcelino.

The hugely impressive Geoffrey Kondogbia does most of the midfield work and, with the manager refusing to budge tactically from two banks of four, this means leaving academy product Carlos Soler — rated by many as the best young playmaker in Spain — struggling to influence games from an unnatural position on the wing.

The midfield is identified by many as the root of Valencia’s goal-scoring crisis, with few chances created for the strikers to miss. All of which leaves Marcelino under pressure, despite director general Mateu Alemany trying — unsuccessfully — to relieve some of the strain ahead of Sunday’s visit of lowly Huesca. Alemany said: ‘We are happy with our coach and his work and, whatever happens on Sunday, Marcelino will continue in his position.’

The director general, it should be pointed out, is Marcelino’s closest ally. Alemany appointed him soon after his own arrival, just when it looked as if the board were about to sign a deal with Betis boss Quique Setien.

Valencia have plenty to occupy them before Celtic visit, then, although they are already aware of the challenge they face.

Speaking after yesterday’s draw, Alemany said: ‘Celtic are historic rivals and there are reasons to respect them deeply.

‘They managed to eliminate a great team like Leipzig and they have a mythical stadium with a spectacular atmosphere. It’s going to be complicated to get through.’ Complicated? That’s what Valencia do.’