Valencia reshape pre-season after LaLiga changes, seek final friendly before Celta opener | OneFootball

LaLiga's August reshuffle has disrupted Valencia's pre-season, pushing the Real Betis curtain-raiser at Mestalla to Tuesday 25 August at 21:00 and forcing Carlos Corberán's staff to rework training and friendlies.

According to Superdeporte, the club are now seeking one last warm-up to bridge the 14-day gap between the Trofeu Taronja and the league bow against Celta Vigo on Saturday 22 August, also at Mestalla.

Betis have invoked the AFE agreement due to Giovani Lo Celso's presence with Argentina, despite the midfielder having played only 60 minutes against Jordan. Manuel Pellegrini's side could therefore regain injured players such as Abde, and Antony, who ended last season with a pubis issue. The arrangement is permitted by the regulations and LaLiga under Javier Tebas, yet it has annoyed Valencia over the rest disparity for matchday one on 25 August.

Betis will play on Friday at home to Real Sociedad at 21:00, while Valencia start 24 hours later on Saturday at the same time. That means Betis will have more recovery time, with Valencia facing 33% less rest between matchdays two and one, the latter moved to midweek.

Staff consider a 14-day hiatus after the Trofeu Taronja, against Newcastle United FC, too long and potentially harmful to their readiness for Celta at home. The club have been trying to source a high-calibre opponent, although most teams already have pre-season locked in.

Source: Superdeporte