When one of the best offensive resources is the left back, something is wrong with a team, even if that player is called
José Luis Gayà
.
At 25 years old, the Alicante-born is not only the captain, but his projection in a Valencia orphan of referents has generated dependence.
He has sustained it in delicate moments.
His return to the eleven this afternoon at the
Camp Nou
after overcoming a broken hamstring is a relief for
Javi Gracia
, who exhausts the resources to wake up a team that has not won since they defeated Real Madrid on 8 November.
Gayà is the most effective player in defense of Valencia and the fourth most offensive in a team that steps, although little, the area from the wings: 38% of his attacks come from the wings, where the international has still deployed with
Guedes
ahead and, in a double winger with
Lato
, which has led him to give a goal assist and more key passes than more offensive players hitting the lime.
He has even dared to take fouls.
Javi Gracia needs the resource of a footballer who pulls the team in attack without losing his composure after three games in which he has hardly generated danger and Terrassa's scare in the Cup.
This afternoon, the task will not be easy.
Griezmann
and
Pedri
will look for his profile to find the crack in a weak defense like the Valencian, who has only left his door to zero twice in the entire League: against Real and Eibar.
However, Gayà's contribution goes beyond statistics.
It is pure
leadership
.
“It is very important for what it brings on the field and off.
Because of his personality, ”Gracia acknowledged.
With the bracelet, her figure has grown.
The injury against Alavés has kept him out of three games, less than expected, and has given
Carlos Soler stripes
, but Valencia needs the two pillars on which the team stands.
It is so evident that it is beginning to worry that his contract has not already been extended, which ends in June 2023.
Without reinforcements
Barça will put to the test if his return will help clear up Valencia's doubts, because the market may not bring reinforcements to do so.
«I don't know if there will be exits, nor if players will come.
I don't think anyone knows, ”Gracia lamented, who will have
Maxi Gómez
in the duel
despite the discomfort in his knee.
It is not that Barça is not at its best either, with constant swell and lack of finishing, despite its two consecutive wins.
"We are a team that always creates opportunities, but we have to be a little more effective," admitted
Koeman
, who will give
De Jong
more freedom
and hopes to exploit
Coutinho
against a Valencia that he does not remember well.
In Mestalla they do not have it from the Dutch coach either.
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