Life after God

[toddzy]

Couple of great updates mate I just spotted them. You would do good to sign them so I'm hoping you do, I like the style and te layout you went for as well.

 

[pistolped7]

Cheers mate, hope you keep your Newcastle one going!

---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 11:23 PM ----------

Reports: Pastore signs for Valencia
Pastore to play for Batistuta for club and country

Pastore to snub Schalke and Zaragoza to join Los Che

Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore has joined Spanish side Valencia for £7,000,000 on a 3-year deal, sources say.
Pastore has snubbed offers from Schalke and Zaragoza to join the club managed by his international coach and the man who gave him his first cap for Argentina, Gabriel Batistuta.

He has apparently joined Valencia solely to link up with Batistuta. He has left Palermo where he was reportedly far from happy in Sicily.

After resolving the conflict caused by his red card and the following fine, he was happy again. But after Palermo rejected an offer from Valencia, he hit out at the management once more. Palermo then offered him to all European clubs, except Valencia. This didn't stop Valencia coming in with a bid.

Valencia missed out on another of their transfer targets, after AC Milan's Oguchi Onyewu snubbed them to join Barcelona.​

 

[toddzy]

Greeat signing mate and nice price for him. When I tried to sign him in previous games I've been told to pay like £20million odd Keep it up mate, looking forward to the game updates this weekend!

 

[pistolped7]

Cheers, mate, I'm on it now for a short while, might sneak in an end of month update, if not it'll be up on Saturday.

---------- Post added at 08:59 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 09:36 PM ----------

Valencia - January Review
Valencia round off month with solitary defeat​

Real Madrid celebrate final goal​

Liga BBVA
Valencia 2-2 Osasuna
Adruiz (6), Osei (85)​

Copa del Rey 5th Round 1st Leg
Valencia 1-0 Espanyol
Mata (62)​

Liga BBVA
Deportivo 0-2 Valencia
Osei (38), Mata (74), + Alba (37)​

Copa del Rey 5th Round 2nd Leg
Espanyol 1-1 Valencia
Hernandez (19), Boesnich Red Card (76), Fernandes Red Card (86)​

Liga BBVA
Valencia 3-1 Villareal
Osei (21, 57), Mata (90+1), Fernandes Red Card (38)​

Copa del Rey Quarter Final 1st Leg
Valencia 2-2 Athletic
Osei (27), Hernandez (37)​

Liga BBVA
Espanyol 1-1 Valencia
Miguel (pen. 56)​

Copa del Rey Quarter Final 2nd Leg
Athletic 2-1 Valencia
Osei (20)​

Liga BBVA
Valencia 0-3 Real Madrid​

Valencia were unbeaten for 12 games as Gabriel Batistuta went into another massively challenging game as Valencia boss. He has already played Barca at the Nou Camp, now Real Madrid came to the Nuevo Mestalla.
A massive challenge, but Valencia had come off the back of their first loss since losing 2-1 to Real Sociedad in November last year at the hands of Athletic Bilbao, which knocked them out of this year's Copa del Rey. ​

They had a goal chopped off and it got worse from there.​

Real opened the scoring with a goal from Karim Benzema after 23 minutes, and Batistuta's international talisman Gonzalo Higuain scored two in the 73rd and 90th minutes, to seal a dominant win for Real.​

Valencia spent around £30M in January, buying Michael Owen for £2.8M, Blackburn's Phil Jones for a deal which has add-ons which could reach £20M, and Palermo's Javier Pastore for £7M. They missed out on Gregory van der Wiel, who joined Racing Santander on loan until the summer. Valencia may swoop for him then.​

Valencia also sold players, with Michel being released (he then joined Hertha Berlin), Miguel Moya joining Sevilla for £850,000 and Angel Dealbert joined Fenerbahce for £1.5M (not PSG as mentioned above). David Navarro also agreed to join Turkish side Istanbul Buyuksehir at the end of his contract.​

Also, former Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares refused to join Valencia as a goalkeeping coach. Valencia also rejected a £625,000 bid for Aaron from Malaga.​

Also, striker Ransford Osei has scored a bundle this month, with 4 goals in the final 5 games. But partner Aritz Adruiz socred just one. With Roberto Soldado coming back soon, could Osei be partnering him rather than Adruiz?​

Do you think Batistuta's unbeaten streak shows he is up to the job, or does the streak show too many draws? And what do you think of Rnasford Osei and Aritz Adruiz? Will Osei keep it up, and will Adruiz get back up to speed? Give us your views by e-mail at [email protected], quoting VALENCIA as the title.​

---------- Post added at 09:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 PM ----------

Valencia new kit vote!
Fans to vote for new Puma home and away kits​

Valencia have unveiled their new sponsorship with German kitmakers Puma and worldwide bank Aargauische Kantonalbank. Puma have designed 5 new home and away shirts for supporters of the club to choose from.
To vote, fans must register at the club website (URL at bottom of article) and then pick their favourite home shirt and their favourite away shirt. The second placed away shirt in the poll will become the new third shirt.​

Here are the choices:​

HOME SHIRTS

AWAY SHIRTS​

Puma have announced that it is not just fans that will vote. Manager Gabriel Batistuta, the players, the staff, the board members, the groundstaff and the chairman Manuel Llorente will also vote.​

Fans have until next Sunday to vote.​

The poll can be easily accessed here at Marca at the top of the page.​

 

[MrFlabby]

This is great, will follow

 

[pistolped7]

This is great, will follow

Cheers mate! Which kits do you vote for?

 

[MrFlabby]

And

 

[pistolped7]

Valencia - February Review
Unbeaten month, but too many draws?

Soldado scores his second against Bilbao

Valencia went unbeaten for 6 games from 6 this month, but 2 were draws. And both draws were in the Europa League.

Liga BBVA
Athletic 0-5 Valencia
Soldado (27, 56), Pastore (21, 58, 74)

Valencia 2-1 Hercules
Soldado (9), Mata (66)

Europa League Last 32 First Leg
Valencia 0-0 Lokomotiv

Liga BBVA
Valencia 3-0 Xerez
Soldado (43), Osei (45+1), Pastore (62)

Europa League Last 32 Second Leg
Lokomotiv 3-3 Valencia
Mata (8), Soldado (14), Pastore (45)
Valencia through on away goals

Liga BBVA
Valladolid 0-2 Valencia
Soldado (15), Hernandez (65)


Valencia are through to the Europa League Last 16 to play Steaua Bucharest. The March update will be up later.

Which is your favourite kit from Marca's article? Please vote!​

 

[AussieOchoa]

Sorry about not commenting good month, you can deffo take Valencia to a Europa League win. And for kits, the first home, and either the orange or black away

 

[pistolped7]

Cheers mate, I'm gonna update for March vera soooooony.

---------- Post added at 01:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:59 AM ----------

Valencia - March Review
5 games, 5 draws for stumbling Valencia

Mata goes on a run against Getafe

Valencia played 3 league games and 2 Europa League games this month...and they drew all of them. They had, in the league at least, a cutting edge in front of goal, but inconsistence from Barzagli, Boesnich, Miguel and Jones gifted the opposition goals far too many times.
They scored 7 goals this month, but of course conceded just as many, and again couldn't win a Europa League match.

Liga BBVA
Valencia 3-3 Getafe
Mata (9), Pastore (59), Soldado (72)

Europa League Last 16 1st Leg
Valencia 0-0 Steaua Bucharest

Liga BBVA
Sporting 1-1 Valencia
Adruiz (44), Matheiu Red Card (70)

Europa League Last 16 2nd Leg
Steaua 1-1 Valencia
Adruiz (41), Banega Red Card (87)
Valencia win on away goals

Liga BBVA
Valencia 2-2 Sevilla
Soldado (3, 75)


A pretty unimpressive month from Valencia then, and it will dissappoint their fans how they have played. Also, a poor disciplinary record min unfolding, with two red cards this month and lots of bookings.






Valencia - April Review
Less draws, more losses

Pique and Puyol celebrate their win against Valencia

Valencia finally ended their run of draws...but with two losses coming from massive rivals. They did win more than they lost, but the match against Atletico Madrid will stick in the mind of fans for a while to come. They drew Roma in the quarters of the Europa League, and the winner would play either Ajax or Spurs.

Liga BBVA
Racing 1-2 Valencia
Adruiz (1, 77)

Europa League Quarter Final 1st Leg
Valencia 1-1 Roma
Matheiu (39)

Liga BBVA
Valencia 0-2 Barcelona

Europa League Quarter Final 2nd Leg
Roma 2-2 Valencia
Soldado (73), Pastore (90+4)
Valencia win on away goals

Liga BBVA
At. Madrid 4-0 Valencia

Europa League Semi Final 1st Leg
Ajax 0-1 Valencia
Pastore (32)

Liga BBVA
Levante 1-1 Valencia
Aaron (19)

Europa League Semi Final 2nd Leg
Valencia 3-1 Ajax
Mata (9), Pastore (16, 84)
Valencia win 4-1 on aggregate

Valencia now find themselves sixth in La Liga, and in the Europa League final, where they will play German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Here are next month's fixtures:

BBVA - Las Palmas - H
BBVA - R. Sociedad - H
BBVA - Osasuna - A
EL - Leverusen - N
BBVA - Zaragoza - H​

 

[AussieOchoa]

Great work in Europa League, good luck, looking forward to the result

 

[pistolped7]

Cheers mate, will be up soon along with Copa America tournament result.

 

[AussieOchoa]

Probably wnt be awake to read it I'll read it tomo

 

[pistolped7]

Valencia - May Review
Valencia end league season on a high​

Soldado's fourth versus Las Palmas after breaking free from the defence​

Valencia claimed a Champions League place for next year after they won all four league matches this May, scoring 10 goals in the process.
The final win over Zaragoza gave them a CL place ahead of Getafe and Sevilla, who Valencia leapfrogged from sixth.​

Liga BBVA
Valencia 4-0 Las Palmas
Soldado (6, 59, 70, 89)​

Valencia 2-0 R. Sociedad
Hernandez (25), Topal (54)​

Osasuna 1-2 Valencia
Topal (20), Soldado (34)​

Valencia 2-1 Zaragoza
Soldado (71, 88)​

Valencia also competed in the Europa League final...​

Valencia triumph over Leverkusen
Los Che take Europa League title in dominant win​

Valencia celebrate with trophy, their second in new millenium​

Valencia won the Europa League against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday, making sure the title stayed in southern Europe for the third year running, returned to Spain after a one year absence and back to the Mestalla after 7 years away.​

It started well for Valencia when Aritz Adruiz finished a lovely move when he smashed his shot into the net after 24 minutes. Valencia conceded after 39 minutes, when a harmless long ball from Rene Adler hit the head of Stefan Keissling, when Renan had run out 20 or so yards to get it when Lolo was already there. ​

When Keissling won the header ahead of Renan, the empty net was soon filled, as Leverkusen fans rocked Dublin after the equaliser.​

Valencia's fans were incredibly loud, and they had something to cheer about after the break, when Roberto Soldado netted a 67th minute penalty. Landsdowne Road lifted at least 10 feet from the ground, as Valencia's fans were reduced to tears of joy when Soldado placed the ball past Rene Adler in the goal.​

Manuel Fernandes' bad discipline once again threatened to take the wheels off, when he was red-carded in the 69th minute after a second booking, but Valencia held on to win the coveted Europa League, and organise a Super Cup match against Champions League winners Manchester City.​

Well, here's a look at who won Europe's major honours this year.​

UEFA Champions League: Man City
UEFA Europa League: Valencia​

Liga BBVA: Barcelona
EPL: Man City
Bundesliga: Schalke 04
Serie A: Fiorentina
Ligue 1: PSG
SPL: Celtic
Liga Sagres: Porto​

FA Cup: Man Utd
Carling Cup: Man City (Treble winners)
Co-Op League Cup: Celtic
Scottish Cup: Celtic (Treble winners)
Copa del Rey: Real Madrid​

Brazil win Copa America
1-0 win over Argentina in final​

Brazil celebrate triumph over arch-rivals​

Brazil celebrated winning this summer's Copa America, with a 1-0 win over Argentina.​

Argentina's results:​

Venezuela 1-3 ARG
ARG 3-0 Chile
ARG 1-2 Mexico
ARG p2-2 Colombia
ARG 2-0 Paraguay
ARG 0-1 BRA​

Will Gabriel Batistuta resign after the AFA said they were 'dissappointed' that Argentina only reached the final?​

What did you think of Valencia and Argentina's seasons? Leave your comments here at the BBC.


Reuters: Batistuta resigns!
Disillusioned at life as Argies boss

Batistuta photographed leaving the AFA headquarters just an hour ago

The Reuters news agency has reported that Valencia boss Gabriel Batistuta has resigned as manager of his national side. He had apparently become 'dissilutioned' with the lack of effort given by players and the lack of faith shown to him by the AFA.
He has reportedly hit out at the AFA president Julio Grondona, who always criticised him at every turn, showing annoyance at hs failure to reach the World Cup final, and at losing in the Coap America final.

We will give you more when we get it.​

 

[MrFlabby]

Nice update mate

 

[AussieOchoa]

Unlucky about Argentina, but you will shine at Valencia now, and great win in Europa League, knew you'd win And yay, PSG won Ligue 1

 

[toddzy]

Argentina will certainly miss you. Gives you more time for Los Che, wohooo KIU mate, still loving it. Excellant European succes!

 

[pistolped7]

Cheers, guys, was worried that leaving Argentina would ruin it, but I prefer club management anyway. Will update with the signings I remember making and rough figures of money!

---------- Post added at 04:22 PM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 05:54 PM ----------

As I don't know all of my summer signings, I'll be making interviews with the big name signings, as those I've let go.

Bruno Alves: I wasn't happy in Russia!​

Valencia's newest summer signing, Zenit centre back Bruno Alves, arrived at the Nuevo Mestalla in July for a fee worth around £17.5 M. Now, back home in Portugal, where his first club Porto was, for the international match against Bahrain, he has met up with us here at A Bola to tell us why he left Zenit to join Los Che.
Report by Jesualdo Ferreira

Jesualdo Ferreira: Well Bruno, welcome back to Portugal, and welcome to A Bola.

Bruno Alves: Thank you, Jesualdo, it's great to be back.

JF: Well, let's get straight to business. You left Porto in 2010 for Russia for a large fee (the move cost Zenit E22 M), so why are you back to Iberia so early after the move?

BA: If I'm honest, I just wanted to be closer to what I believe to be 'home'. Although I was happy in St Petersburg and with Zenit, I was a little bit homesick. My family were all the way back in Portugal, and I only saw them twice last season. I wanted to be closer to home, and Valencia are a massive side, so I'm glad I'm back.

JF: How does it feel to be back?

BA: It feels great, I'm much happier. I feel being away from my family was affecting my performances on the pitch, so I'll be back to my best for Valencia.

JF: You're joining a team who have just won the Europa League. Their biggest problem last year was the lack of quality in the centre of defence. Do you feel added pressure to make sure that you don't let the team down?

BA: Not really, I'm confident in my abilty, as is Gabriel [Batsituta, Valencia boss], otherwise he wouldn't have signed me. And with a central defensive partner like Andrea Barzagli, you can't go wrong!

JF: Valencia are now in the Champions League, how do you think it will feel to be back on Europe's top stage after a year-long absence?

BA: It's going to be great. I have a great team around me, which will make it all the more enjoyable. The boss believes we are good enough to make the quarters at the very least, given the club's performance last year. I thnk he is playing down our chances, but the players are very optimistic. We think a final is within reach.

JF: Have you settled in better because of there being another Portuguese player there in Manuel Fernandes?

BA: Yes, although I get on well with everyone, but especially Manuel, Andrea [Barzagli], Roberto [Soldado] and Juan [Mata]. We get up to all sorts of antics on the training ground. *chuckles*

JF: Does Gabriel Batistuta take a dim view to this?

BA: No, the coach is very laidback. He joins in!

JF: You play Rangers in the play-off round of the Champions League, and you are expected to progress. How do you think you will do?

BA: I think we will have a tough time against Rangers, they are a top side. Celtic won everything last year of course, but Rangers can take on any European side, so we have to be wary. We must qualify though, it's imperative to do so.

JF: Finally, a prediction for tonight's game against Bahrain?

BA: Home victory! *chuckles*

JF: Thanks Bruno, and good luck for the season.

BA: Thanks, Jesualdo.

​

 

[toddzy]

Nice style, wish I'd thought of that haha! Nah great update mate and great writing! He's defo a good buy Weekend is nearly here for more!!!

 

[pistolped7]

I know, genius idea. My originality bewilders me. Cheers, mate, first leg is at The Hole.

---------- Post added at 05:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 PM ----------

Jones: City offered too much

Jones (left) joined City for £36M

Manchester City's new signing, Valencia centre half Phil Jones, has said that he would've stayed at Los Che, but Man City offered them too much. The world's most expensive teenager has spoken of his delight at joining City. Here is his interview with Sky Sports' very own Richard Keys.

Richard Keys: Welcome back to England Phil, and congratulations on the move to City.
Phil Jones: Cheers, Richard, I'm glad to be back.
RK: When you were playing with Blackburn, you were one of football's hottest properties. Why did you choose Valencia?
PJ: They were in a tough spot and Gabriel Batistuta had just come in. He was building the team as he wanted it, and he wanted me as a part of it. It was exciting, especially in Europe.
RK: Did you regret the decision at all?
PJ: Not one bit. We went from 16th when Gabriel came in to a 4th place finish, we got to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey and won the Europa League. Yes, there were bad points like losing 4-0 to Atletico, or 3-0 to Real, but the good points far outweighed the bad.
RK: What did it feel like to win the Europa League?
PJ: It was fantastic. I was dissapointed that Andrea [Barzagli] was suspended and I couldn't play alongside him, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Greatest night of my career.
RK: Your new club won all but one of the competitions they played in last year, are you going for the clean sweep this time round?
PJ: Realistically, yes, we can win the quadruple. I think so.
RK: Is there more pressure with such a mind-blowing transfer fee paid for you?
PJ: No, I'm just here to enjoy it.
RK: Thanks, Phil.
PJ: Cheers.​