Valencia, Corberán and Raba: how a red card soured a promising start | OneFootball

Raba’s bright start at Valencia has given way to a strained relationship with Carlos Corberán after an early-season flashpoint. According to Superdeporte, the turning point came when José Gayà was sent off at Osasuna, which led to Raba being withdrawn.

Pre-season was subdued, short of goals and with signings pending, the best news being renewals for Javi Guerra, Tárrega and Diego López. Raba scored against Olympique de Marseille, played as a No 10 and wide, then set up Diego López in a 1-1 opener.

At El Sadar he started again. Gayà’s 22nd-minute red saw Corberán bring on Jesús Vázquez and take off Raba. A gesture on the bench signalled the breakdown, and he has started only once since, a 2-0 win over Athletic Club.

In LaLiga in 2026 he has played one minute, a stoppage-time cameo against Rayo before the whistle. He has often been an unused substitute and has twice missed the squad. The coach opened the door in winter, yet he stayed, and he was not convinced about a summer exit for professional and personal reasons.

His pathway back is further blocked by competition in the linking role. Lucas Beltrán has become indispensable there and, if he drops out, the likely beneficiary would be Javi Guerra, who featured in that slot against Villarreal ahead of the Ugrinic-Guido pairing.

Source: Superdeporte