Javier Aguirre’s first major task, revive Mestalla after Valencia’s worst home start | OneFootball

Valencia reach an extended LaLiga pause with one home point from four matches, the worst opening at Mestalla in their history, handing Javier Aguirre an immediate rescue job. They are 19th with four points.

According to Superdeporte, the club set out to reconnect team and terrace to improve on last season’s ninth place, yet five weeks in that plan has stalled.

Home results read 0-0 against Celta Vigo, then defeats to Betis 0-1, Barcelona 0-5 and Real Sociedad 2-3. Carlos Corberán was dismissed after the Barça thrashing.

The once-intimidating Mestalla has been blunted in the Meriton era, though fans applauded the effort under interim coach Óscar Sánchez against La Real, helped by academy breakthroughs led by Aaron Mayol. Corberán’s exit, long demanded in the stands, has cooled tensions for now.

Across 92 top-flight seasons, Valencia have never begun worse at home. This run undercuts 1998/99, when two points came from the first four at Mestalla under Jorge Valdano and Claudio Ranieri, with defeats to Barcelona 0-3 and Real Madrid 0-2 followed by 1-1 draws with Athletic and Real Oviedo. Valdano departed after three opening losses, and Ranieri sparked a recovery from December.

Only Elche have fewer home points, and they have played one game fewer. Aguirre arrives to a calmer backdrop when Athletic Club visit on 17 October, before Villarreal on 25 October and Real Madrid on 8 November. Any climb must start at home.

Source: Superdeporte

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”