While Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to catch the headlines in Spain, the steady performances of Valencia are easy to overlook. But los Che are one of the Primera Division’s form teams, having won seven of their last eight fixtures. Unai Emery’s outfit will be aiming to maintain their form in Europe as they aim for the Champions League quarter-finals.
Victory over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon came by a 2-1 margin on Saturday evening. Jose Antonio Reyes gave los Colchoneros a third-minute lead, but Valencia were drawn back into the game thanks to goals from Joaquin in either half. Typical of los Che in recent weeks, the winner came late on, with the winger striking four minutes from time.
Speaking after the game, Valencia’s match-winner stressed the importance of the new-found resilience in his side, which allowed them to rebuff the advances of Atleti. “The step we have taken is important,” he told the media. “We have learnt how to suffer.”
The east coast club will attempt to take this form into Europe, with centre-back Ricardo Costa, a defender with experience of Bundesliga football, highlighting the importance of keeping a clean sheet at the Mestalla. “We want to win, but we have to think that there are two matches. We will try to win at home and avoid our opponents scoring,” he explained to Marca.
Valencia’s only Champions League defeat of the season came at home against Manchester United, but after negotiating the group stage in pretty convincing fashion, los Che will be confident of making further progress against their German opponents.
High Hopes
Schalke’s appeal this season has been in their erratic and unpredictable nature. Felix Magath’s side were given a big build-up going into the campaign, but having made great changes to the club’s personnel, they initially struggled to find form. Die Knappen came good in the autumn, easing their Bundesliga worries and progressing in the Champions League, and though the winter shutdown has rather hampered their momentum, the Gelsenkirchen side will be confident of coming good at the right time.
A weekend win was recorded over Freiburg, keeping the relegation wolf a relatively comfortable six points from the door. Jefferson Farfan was the only scorer on that occasion, finding the net four minutes into the second half to gift the Ruhr club the win.
“I am very optimistic,” Raul explained to Schalke’s official website when asked to consider Tuesday’s fixture. “Valencia are undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs in Spain and have in recent years has been to qualify for the Champions League. Nevertheless, I think we have very good chances of reaching the next round.
“In the group phase, our team has already shown what services they can perform. We also have the advantage that the return match is in the Veltins-Arena. Our fans are a very important factor in such games.”
Historically, the Mestalla is not a venue that should hold too many fears for Schalke, who have previously earned a 1-1 draw at the Spanish arena to progress in the UEFA Cup. This encounter has a good deal more riding on it, and has the potential to make or break the Germans’ season.
TEAM NEWS
Valencia
Several players are doubtful heading into this clash, including Juan Mata, Jeremy Mathieu and Cesar. Miguel Moya and Marius Stankevicious are definitely missing, while David Albela is banned.
Schalke
Christoph Moritz is Schalke's main injury absentee, though there are a string of squad men, including new signing Angelos Charisteas, who don't make the trip.
Anthony Annan and Tim Hoogland are ineligible for the fixture.
Prediction
Valencia would do well not to underestimate Schalke, who have proven themselves to be a dangerous force. The Bundesliga outfit have largely saved their best football for the Champions League this term, which makes then a dangerous prospect, but the Spaniards should have too much on Tuesday.
Valencia 2-1 Schalke 04 
