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Roundup Cuper, Valencia seek one last upset in final
Posted: Tuesday May 23, 2000 07:59 PM
PARIS (Reuters) -- A Valencia side which has specialized all season in battering the reputations of big-name clubs come up against the biggest of them all on Wednesday when Spanish football takes over Paris for the final of the Champions League. Real Madrid, the kings of Europe according to Valencia boss Hector Cuper, will be bidding for an unprecedented eighth success in a competition they dominated at its inception in 1956, winning the first five titles. Valencia, by contrast, will be playing their first European Cup final with a far more modest history in domestic and international terms. But despite that glaring gulf, Cuper's men have done enough during a Champions League campaign to suggest they are capable of pulling off one more upset. Much has been made in recent weeks of the vibrant attacking play that saw Valencia humiliate both Lazio and Barcelona in the two previous rounds of the competition. The Italians hardly knew what hit them in the opening leg of their quarter-final at Mestalla as they fell 2-0 behind inside the first three minutes and went on to lose the match 5-2 and the tie 5-3. Barcelona were the latest side to suffer a Mestalla mauling when they went down 4-1 in their semifinal first leg as Valencia confounded expectation once again, going on to claim another 5-3 victory overall. But arguably just as impressive as those headline-grabbing performances was the way in which Valencia negotiated two tricky group stages earlier in the season when they were not playing quite so well. Clubs of the caliber of Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Fiornetina were among those to come to town but Valencia have remained unbeaten in Champions League home matches throughout the season. The question now for Cuper's men is whether the extra weight of playing in a European Cup final for the first time, and against a Real side that have shown some impressive form of their own in the last two rounds, will finally tell against them. "To win the competition we'll have to beat the kings of Europe," Cuper said this week. "But I'm absolutely confident that we can do it. "If we lose it won't be because of a lack of experience. We have a lot of internationals in our side, people who have played in a lot of big games on the European and world stage. Inexperience won't be a factor." Cuper is expected to stick with the side that tore into Barcelona in that famous semifinal first leg win, with the exception of the suspended left-back Amedeo Carboni. Joachim Bjorklund or Gerardo Garcia will step in. That will mean Gaizka Mendieta, the club's inspirational Basque skipper, leading a midfield quartet of awesome ability and drive -- and an average age of 23 -- with the dangerous Miguel Angel Angulo partnering Claudio Lopez up front. Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has more serious selection problems as he bids to make up for being part of the losing side the last time the club played a European Cup final in Paris, when they went down 1-0 to Liverpool in 1981 at the Parc des Princes. Fernando Hierro is definitely out injured, while Fernando Morientes and Savio Bortolini will require late tests on their fitness. Del Bosque was furious with the way his side played in their final league game of the season, a 1-0 defeat at home to Valladolid. That result left them in fifth place in the final Spanish league standings, meaning they need to beat Valencia on Wednesday to secure a place in the competition next year. The side's frustrating inconsistency at home has been balanced by their brilliance in European games of late, though, as shown in impressive quarter and semifinal wins over last year's finalists Manchester United and Bayern Munich. "We've got to find that character and fighting spirit once again," said Fernando Redondo, the Argentine who will partner Steve McManaman in midfield in front of a five-man backline and behind an attack of pace and skill in Nicolas Anelka, Raul Gonzalez and Morientes. "We have a better historical record than Valencia but that doesn't count for much in a game of 90 minutes. They've been faultless on their way to the final and it should be an attractive game. "I reckon it'll be decided by a piece of individual brilliance." There have been plenty of those this season from the star men of Real Madrid and the talented young band coming through at Valencia but who will have that final say looks too difficult to call. Probable teams: Real Madrid: 27-Iker Casillas; 15-Ivan Helguera; 3-Roberto Carlos, 18-Aitor Karanka, 12-Ivan Campo, 2-Michel Salgado; 6-Fernando Redondo, 8-Steve McManaman; 7-Raul Gonzalez; 9-Fernando Morientes, 19-Nicolas Anelka Valencia: 1-Santiago Canizares; 3-Joachim Bjorklund, 2-Mauricio Pellegrino, 5-Miroslav Djukic, 20-Jocelyn Angloma; 18-Kily Gonzalez, 8-Francisco Farinos, 6-Gaizka Mendieta, 14-Gerard Lopez; 7-Claudio Lopez, 10-Miguel Angel Angulo Referee: Stefano Braschi (Italy) Valencia's familiar facesValencia's two former Champions League winners Santiago Canizares and Jocelyn Angloma could feel a little nostalgic when they line up for Wednesday's Champions League final against Real Madrid. For Angloma, the 34-year-old French defender, the match will be a return to the French capital, where he played for a season with Paris St Germain in 1990-91 during the early part of a professional career that began in 1987 with Lille. He went on to play for Olympique Marseille, winning the European Cup in 1993, before a move to Torino in 1994, Inter Milan two years later and finally Valencia in 1997. Goalkeeper Canizares, meanwhile, will find himself up against his former club mates from the last time Real won the European Cup in 1998, when the Spanish side beat Juventus 1-0 in Amsterdam. The Spanish international did not play in that game, as he kept the bench warm for German Bodo Illgner, but he picked up a winner's medal all the same and will be bidding for a second on Wednesday. Both men are understandably delighted to be playing in their second final in European soccer's showpiece event, which will see Real Madrid attempt to lift the title for the eighth time and Valencia the first. "It's phenomenal to be back," said Angloma on Tuesday as he savored the feeling of being on home turf. "I thought about making this final a lot over the last few games when we were playing so well. "I don't know if the Paris fans will be on my side, or if they'll be cheering on Nicolas Anelka of Real Madrid, but it doesn't really matter. "I want to win it for the Valencia fans. We'll give everything to achieve that. We're a good team and we can hurt Real Madrid." Canizares will be back among familiar faces rather than on familiar territory on Wednesday. "It was good to be part of that historic night when the club won the European Cup for the first time in 32 years," he said. "All 25 players who made up that squad played their part -- not just the 11 who started. "It's very satisfying for me to be returning against Real. It will be a special feeling for me. "Real Madrid have a far greater history than Valencia, we know that. But history is no guarantee of success. "It's a new experience for most of the team but that can be a positive thing. We can make it work in our favor." Lopez promises tough nightValencia striker Claudio Lopez is promising Real Madrid an uncomfortable night at the Stade de France in Paris on Wednesday when the two teams clash in the Champions League final. Valencia have relished their meetings with Europe's biggest sides this season on the way to the final, coming through against the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the league stages and beating Lazio and tournament favorites Barcelona in the knockout rounds. Their success this term has been based largely on their ability to disrupt the game plan of the opposition with tireless work from a team that attacks and defends as a unit. And Lopez, who despite his status as star striker tackles back as much as anyone, believes that more of the same treatment for Real Madrid can see his side through to victory. "We are well aware that Real Madrid are a brilliant team, who work the ball around very well," Lopez said. "Our task is to put them under as much as pressure as possible, to make sure they have an uncomfortable time of it. That's the way we've played so far and there's no reason to change our tactics." Lopez, who scored vital goals in both the quarters and semifinals, admits he is feeling the effects of a tough season that has seen Valencia play 60 official games already. But he insists that he and his team mates will put tiredness behind them as they bid for their first European Cup success. "This has been a long season, with a lot of games and a lot of travelling but despite the fatigue I think all the players will be capable of performing at their best on Wednesday," said Lopez. "We've worked so hard to get here, through good times and bad times and now we must make sure we continue to play in the same way we have all season, starting fast and without hesitation. "We need to have the attitude of winners when we go into the game.' Lopez, who is set to join Lazio at the end of the season after three years with Valencia, could not have wished for a better send-off from the Spanish club. "When I signed for Valencia this was the dream,' said the Argentine, 'to challenge for titles, to be successful. "So far the sensations are good as we approach the final in such good form. I just hope it all continues on Wednesday." Cuper's convincedValencia coach Hector Cuper is convinced his side has the means and the motivation necessary to cap an extraordinary season by being crowned European champions when they take on Real Madrid on Wednesday. But the Argentine boss, preparing for his second successive European final, is calling for one final push from his players at the Stade de France in order to achieve a goal that few regarded even as a remote possibility at the start of the season. "We deserve to be the champions, there's no doubt in my mind about that," said Cuper, who guided unfashionable Real Mallorca to a European Cup Winners' Cup final against Lazio last season, when they lost 1-0. "I always believe my teams are the favourites in any case but the way we've played in this Champions League makes me certain that we can win. "It's now up to the players to demonstrate the same form that has got us here and find that extra special something for the final." Real Madrid will go into the final with the advantage of their vast experience at European level. While Valencia are in their first final, Real will be contesting their 11th, and bidding for an eighth European Cup win. Cuper is aware that Wednesday's game at the Stade de France will be the biggest in his side's history -- but he is confident that his team will respond well. "The tension is a bit higher than in previous games but it's my job to make sure the players are aware of what's at stake," said Cuper, whose side were 50-1 outsiders for the competition at the start of the season. "They must know what the stakes are from Valencia's point of view. "We've tried to achieve a balance in terms of physical and mental strength, as well as being tactically strong and able to adapt our game to particular requirements. "Our work throughout the season has been steady and that's what has brought us this far. "We are in good shape and with all the motivation in the world. We have the strength to take the game to Real Madrid and win it." Wednesday's game will see two teams from the same country contesting the final for the first time in the competition's 45-year history but Cuper is promising that there will be no love lost between two teams who know each other well. "It's important for Spanish football to have two teams in the final but if we lose it will be no consolation that we'll have been beaten by another team for our league," he said. "Defeat would be even harder to take, in fact." Real hopes for replay of 1956Real Madrid will be hoping to be crowned champions of Europe for the eighth time on Wednesday in Paris -- where they won the first ever European Cup final in 1956. Real meet Valencia in the Champions League final at the Stade de France in the French capital, the city where their domination of the early years of the European Cup began on June 13, 1956, when they beat Stade de Reims 4-3 at the old Parc des Princes. But the final could hardly have got off to a worse start for Real, who trailed after only 10 minutes to the French side who scored through Michel Leblond (6) and Jean Templin (10). Real fought back, with Alfredo Di Stefano halving the arrears after 14 minutes and Real equalizing with 30 minutes gone. However, Reims took the lead again after 62 minutes when Michel Hidalgo -- later manager of the French national team -- made it 3-2. Their joy lasted only five minutes before Marquitos equalized. With 11 minutes to play Rial scored the winner, sealing an astonishing victory and setting Real on their way to creating soccer history. With that victory secured, Real went on to win the European Cup again in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960 -- with Di Stefano scoring in all of them. He is guest of honor at the final on Wednesday. Not only is Di Stefano arguably the greatest player in Real's history but he also coached both clubs later in his career, leading Valencia to their only Spanish title since World War Two in 1971. The final did not return to Paris until 1975 when Bayern Munich won the second of their three successive European Cups with a 2-0 win over Leeds United thanks to late goals from Franz Roth (71) and Gerd Muller (83). The next time Paris staged the final, Real were back -- but could not repeat their heroics of 1956 when they lost 1-0 to Liverpool at the Parc in 1981. The only goal came from full back Alan Kennedy after 82 minutes. This is the first European Cup final to be staged in Paris since then, and the first to be played at the Stade de France, the venue for the 1998 World Cup final. The capacity has been set at 73,000. Real's coach Vicente Del Bosque provides a direct link to the final against Liverpool 19 years ago as he was in the beaten Real side. Besides the three previous European Cup finals, Paris has also staged three other European finals. In 1978 Anderlecht hammered Austria Vienna 4-0 to win the European Cup Winners' Cup and in 1995 at the Parc, Real Zaragoza defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the last minute of extra time to win the same trophy. Zaragoza's winning goal was one of the most sensational ever scored in any European final, with Nayim lobbing Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman almost from the halfway line to score the winner with the last kick of the game. In 1998 Inter Milan defeated Lazio 3-0 in the first UEFA Cup final to be played as a single match at a neutral venue at the Parc. Real will be playing in their 11th European Cup final on Wednesday and Valencia in their first. Both teams will be playing in their change strips because of a color clash. Real will be wearing all-black while Valencia will be playing in orange. Real's Sanz sees no additional pressureReal Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz said his side would not come under additional pressure in Wednesday's Champions League final because they were also playing for a place in next season's Champions League. If Real lose to Valencia they will be forced to play in the UEFA Cup next season having finished only fifth in the Spanish championship. "The pressure is on those who aren't here," said Sanz on Tuesday. "It's a huge merit to have reached two finals in three years and we've already won one of them. "Two years ago we had gone 17 years without playing in a final and 32 since winning. "I'm convinced many teams would give a lot to be here," Sanz said. "It's a success to reach the [European Cup] final and no one will remember we didn't win the [domestic] league." "What Real Madrid have done this season is a success. The dream of being European champions, we wouldn't change that for anything. "There have been mistakes and we may not be in [the Champions League] next season. But that has nothing to do with this final." Real's Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos said the team had come to France "thinking about nothing else than winning and playing in the Champions League as holders." Team mate Raul said he hoped the fact that two Spanish teams were in the final and a third, Barcelona, were "knocking on the door" would inspire Spain to perform well at Euro 2000. Raul, a key figure in the Spanish national side, said Real could not afford to underestimate Valencia. "For Valencia, the club and the city, it would be a historic victory if they win," Raul said. "We must try to prevent them from playing their fast counter-attacking game and impose our game. "I think the two best teams are there [in the final] and the chances are 50-50." Vicente del Bosque, caretaker Real coach since John Toshack was sacked in November, said he had no injury worries ahead of the final. He said he was particularly pleased with the form of Steve McManaman and Nicolas Anelka, who has sparkled since overcoming his problems with the club. "We had many problems in mid-season but I'm happy to say they have now been resolved," del Bosque said of Anelka, who scored two goals in Real's 3-2 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich in the semifinals. "I'm thrilled to have Anelka in the side, for the club and for the team. "Steve is enjoying a great spell of form and is at a level with the McManaman of his Liverpool days," said del Bosque, who was confirmed on Tuesday as Real coach for next season.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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