Valencia CF’s five self-inflicted blows in their survival fight | OneFootball

Valencia CF have repeatedly squandered chances to clinch safety, serving up flat performances and a glaring lack of ambition in key fixtures during the run-in.

According to Superdeporte, years of negligent Meriton Holdings management have weakened the squad and anchored the club near the bottom, despite talk of a European elite project.

The first misstep came at the Carlos Tartiere against bottom side Real Oviedo. Valencia CF arrived seven points clear and left with six after an abject display. Victory would have made it nine and put them within two of eighth.

A win at Sevilla FC steadied nerves, only for Celta de Vigo to punish them at Mestalla. Valencia CF led at half-time, seven above safety and close to sixth, then retreated and were quickly overturned.

Two direct duels followed. Against Elche CF, on the relegation line, Valencia CF could have gone nine clear and owned the head-to-head, yet lost, fuelling Elche’s revival and trimming the gap to three without that advantage. Mallorca then held them to an insufficient draw.

Dimitrievski’s last-gasp save against Girona preserved another opening, a home date with Atlético de Madrid, minds on the Champions League and fielding many academy players. Valencia CF failed to capitalise, unlike Sevilla and Elche, and hope Sevilla do not beat Real Sociedad, which could leave them three from the drop with four tough games left against Athletic Club, Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona.

Source: Superdeporte