The Submarine go back to Pucela, where the midfielder showed how good he could be with two goals
Villarreal CF return to Pucela, where Álex Baena has great memories. At the Nuevo Estadio José Zorrilla he signed his letter of introduction to planet football by scoring a fantastic brace and astounding even Jose Sanchis himself, whose commentary on one of the goals (‘Ah bueno, Baena’) still resonates in the heads of all LALIGA fans.
Two years later, the Groguets will once again be facing Real Valladolid. Now they want to forget the disappointing draw against Getafe CF (1-1) at the Estadio de la Cerámica, and are looking to get back to winning ways in Valladolid. The Groguets have gone two games without a win and are eager to start a positive dynamic at the Nuevo Estadio José Zorrilla (Saturday, 2pm CEST).
Despite the last two results, Marcelino’s side are fourth in the table with 18 points. One point ahead of Athletic and Mallorca, fifth and sixth, respectively. The Groguets have made a remarkable start to the season with some great away performances, with wins at Sevilla FC, RCD Mallorca and RCD Espanyol and a draw against Valencia CF. Only a defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu slightly tarnished their good form away from La Cerámica.
Valladolid’s start is less positive, although they come into the game on the back of a creditable away win against Deportivo Alavés (2-3). A victory that does not prevent Valladolid from staying in the relegation places, but has moved them away from the last place in LALIGA EA Sports. They are the team that have conceded the most goals in these first ten games (21), although they have been severely punished for having lost 7-0 and 3-0 to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.
Pezzolano’s side’s home record includes a win against Espanyol on Matchday 1 (1-0), two draws against Real Sociedad (0-0) and CD Leganés (0-0) and two defeats against RCD Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano, with identical results (1-2).
The duels between both sides in the First Division have largely been in favour of the Villarreal side. The Groguets have won 46% of the duels between the two sides. In Pucela, however,the balance of fixtures has been notably favourable to Real Valladolid, who have won six games to Villarreal’s threee. On the other hand, the last meeting between the two sides at the Nuevo Estadio José Zorrilla was won by Villarreal, then coached by Unai Emery, with that double from Álex Baena in his first match after his loan spell in Girona and another goal from Nico Jackson (Matchday 1 of the 22/23 season).
