El Sardinero is sold out for Valencia’s visit on 11 October, with Racing de Santander looking to halt a damaging run and Javier Aguirre beginning his Valencia tenure in a stadium that has previously treated him well. The LaLiga EA Sports eighth-round meeting kicks off at 21:00, carrying weight well beyond an ordinary return from the international break.
Racing seek a response at a full El Sardinero
Racing arrive after conceding heavily in each of their previous two matches, making the contest an immediate test of José Alberto’s side in front of a capacity crowd. Tickets were exhausted only hours before kick-off.
- José Alberto has made two changes from his side’s last starting team before the extended break.
- Italian midfielder Prati returns to the centre of the pitch.
- Sergio Canales is restored in the attacking midfield role behind the forward line.
- Pablo García and Zabiri returned from international duty fatigued, although Zabiri is selected to start.
Racing’s starting side is Agirrezabala; Mantilla, Pablo Ramón, Belocian, Salinas; Prati, Iván Martín; André Almeida, Canales, Iñigo Vicente; and Zabiri.
The home substitutes are Laro Gómez, Aarón Martín, Hernando, Facu González, Sainz-Maza, Maguette, Pablo García, Iker Luque, Andrés Martín, Arana, Villalibre and Guliashvili.
Old connections add edge to Valencia meeting
André Almeida and Facu González both have an added personal incentive against Valencia after failing to establish themselves at the club. The Portuguese midfielder is in Racing’s XI, while Facu is among the options from the bench.
Canales, meanwhile, has spoken of Santander as the likely setting for the end of his elite career. The Cantabrian has said that retirement at Racing is “probably” the most likely outcome, though he has not ruled out another overseas experience after his spell in Mexico. His condition is clear: he does not want to become a burden if he can no longer contribute to the team.
Agirrezabala has also addressed his previous disagreement with Stole Dimitrievski during last season at Valencia. He said Dimitrievski had not handled their encounter well, but added that an apology had settled the matter, describing the goalkeeper as “top”.
Aguirre returns to favourable ground
Valencia’s new coach Aguirre takes charge for the first time in Spain at a venue where he has a notable record. His managerial debuts in the country have rarely brought victories, but one of them did: he won at El Sardinero while in charge of Atlético de Madrid.
The Mexican has lost only once in Santander, in a game in which his team had nothing left to play for. He has promised that Valencia will reflect his usual standards of intensity, saying supporters will not see one of his teams play without energy or commitment.
- British attacking midfielder Elliott used the international pause to regain fitness and try to persuade Aguirre of his value.
- He is expected to begin among the substitutes rather than in the first team.
- Valencia’s listed matchday options are Van Oevelen, Tárrega, Jesús Vázquez, Arnau Martínez, Iker Córdoba, Dieng, Mayol, Otorbi, Elliott, Sato, Blázquez and Danjuma.
For Racing, the night is about finding a response after two difficult defensive displays. For Valencia, it is the opening page of Aguirre’s reign, written in a stadium where he has already shown he can make a winning first impression.
