Valencia
vs
Almeria
Match Schedule:
Date: October 25th
Time: 17:00 (GMT)
Emery spent the last two seasons at Almeria before moving to Valencia this summer but he will probably not recognise the playing surface at his old stomping ground after it was flooded due to heavy recent rain in the region.
That flooding had led to some doubts as to whether Sunday's match would actually go ahead and while though those fears have now subsided, neither Emery or hosts Almeria will be confident of knowing how the pitch will play.
Almeria coach Gonzalo Arconada, the man who replaced Emery, admitted: "It's not in the best of condition, and it's something which is not good for us as the local team as we have not trained on it for two weeks and are not that familiar with it...
"But this is how it is and I'm conscious that the club are doing all they can to solve this matter as soon as possible.''
Emery still believes Almeria will be tough opponents though, saying: "It seems the playing surface is not good. But taking other things into account, Almeria are a very dangerous opponent, will be motivated at their ground, could become league leaders and as such we must be just as motivated as them, or even more so.''
The good news for third-placed Almeria, who beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 at San Mames in their opening match of the season, is that second-placed Valencia will be without influential midfielder David Silva.
It has been decided that the Spanish Euro 2008 winner will need to undergo surgery on his problematic ankle which will keep the 22-year-old sidelined for the next three months.
Despite that though Valencia still have a host of internationals at their service and will also be in confident mood following their 3-0 defeat of Malaga last time out.
A wary Arconada admitted: "Ninety-nine per cent of the players that they have in their squad, be it starters, replacements or those were not even called up, are great players capable of deciding any game.''
Arconada has named the same squad as for the trip to Athletic and as such is also likely to line up with the same starting XI this weekend.
Emery has named an 18-man squad for the match, with Nikola Zigic and Hedwiges Maduro returning to the fold and former Spain internationals Asier del Horno, Ruben Baraja and Vicente Rodriguez dropping out along with Silva.
Emery said of Silva: "The player needs to recover his fitness and that is the most important thing.
"He has made a great effort to play whilst not fully fit and we are all grateful to him for that. Now the important things is that he gets well and recovers so he can play for the national team and Valencia.
"In the squad we've got players who can cover for him.''
Posts
