Valencia bids to stretch strong start vs. Atletico

Posted Tuesday, September 21, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

MADRID (AP)—Valencia will be looking to stretch its perfect start to the season when it plays Atletico Madrid, which needs to rebound from its first loss of the Spanish league campaign.

Valencia has won its first three league matches—on top of a dominant Champions League performance—despite the exit of Spain internationals David Villa and David Silva to sit top of the standings with nine points.

Atletico, meanwhile, goes into Wednesday’s match at the Mestalla stadium on the heels of a 2-1 loss to Barcelona, whose game against Sporting Gijon is the first of several without world player of the year Lionel Messi, who injured his ankle Sunday.

Real Madrid will be looking for a third straight victory when it faces Espanyol.

Debt-ridden Valencia sold Villa and Silva for a combined ?69 million ($88) as it looks to finish the construction of its new stadium, which has been sitting half-built since last year.

Despite more big-name exits than entrances, the six-time league champion is on an impressive run having outscored opponents 10-2 through four games overall.

Even after last week’s resounding 4-0 win over Turkish champion Bursaspor, forward Juanma Mata said composure was key.

“We can’t fall into any trap of euphoria because we still haven’t achieved anything,” said the Spain international, who scored one of Valencia’s two spectacular goals Sunday in a 2-1 win over Hercules.

Atletico, meanwhile, now faces a tough road game without defender Tomas Ujfalusia, who was red carded for his tackle on Messi.

Messi is likely to be sidelined for at least two weeks after straining his right ankle. Coach Pep Guardiola raved about the Spanish champion’s performance, although it now has to continue without its Argentina playmaker.

“We played very well and we have to be happy. We passed the ball well, moved it inside and to the flanks so to play any better—impossible,” Guardiola said. “We played spectacularly.”

Madrid goes up against Barcelona’s neighbor Espanyol with Cristiano Ronaldo still struggling to find his scoring form. After leaving the World Cup without a goal, Ronaldo has had a plethora of scoring chances through three games but has yet to find the target.

Jose Mourinho seems to have gotten over his disappointment at not being allowed to take over Portugal’s national team on an interim basis during the next international break, saying his mind is fully focused on Madrid.

“In terms of prestige, Real Madrid is like reaching the moon,” Mourinho said. “It’s the most important club in the world—it’s like reaching the top although I still haven’t won anything. Let’s see how the story ends, it’s history I still need to construct.”

Madrid will be without teenage midfielder Sergio Canales for three weeks due to an ankle injury.

Madrid is tied with Sevilla for second on seven points, while Barcelona, Atletico, Espanyol and Villarreal all share six.

Osasuna plays Real Sociedad on Tuesday, when Athletic Bilbao faces Mallorca.

On Wednesday, Zaragoza continues its hunt for a first victory against fellow promoted club Hercules, as does Levante which plays Almeria on the back of three straight defeats to start the campaign.

In Thursday’s games, it’s: Sevilla vs. Racing Santander; Getafe vs. Malaga; and Villarreal vs. Deportivo La Coruna.