
Champions League Preview: Valencia V PSG
On Tuesday, February 12th, PSG will travel to Spain to face giants Valencia, in the first tie of the last-16 stage of the Uefa Champions League.
Valencia coach Ernesto Valverve will be taking charge in his first Champions League match with the club, after he took the reigns in early December. As much as he realises that the game at home to PSG will not be easy, he claims his team are high on confidence right now: “It’s always a good time to play a match like this. We’re doing well right now. We are high on confidence.” This is definitely true. A draw at home to Barcelona, followed by beating Celta in the final minute last weekend, shows that the Spanish side will be a tough nut to crack. Valencia have, however, also recently shown their weaknesses. They lost 0-5 at home to Real Madrid in late January and struggled to cope with pace, which incidentally, the French side does not lack. Lucas Moura has been a great addition to the team, with his ability to put quality balls in and beat defenders. This is worsened for Valencia, by the fact that first choice left back, and ex-Lyon man Aly Cissokho, is expected to miss the match with a ankle injury. Valencia also have problems on the other flank. Right back Antonio Barragan is suspended for this tie and Jeremy Mathieu, who is another full back is still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. Valencia are therefore in trouble, as they one have one recognised full back left, in Joao Pereira, when they need two. Left winger Andres Guardado is therefore expected to play at left back, as he has done so a few times this season. Nevertheless, it is not ideal.

Moura could be PSG’s major threat, after a period of excellent form
[Courtesy of Goal.com]
Expected Line ups:
Valencia: Alves, Pereira, Rami, Costa, Guardado, Feghouli, Costa, Banega, Ruiz, Soldado, Jonas
PSG: Sirigu, Jallet, Sakho, Alex, Maxwell, Lavezzi, Matuidi, Verratti, Menez, Lucas, Ibrahimovic.