Revamped Valencia look to wrest headlines from El Clasico

IT IS normally blanket coverage when Barcelona play Real Madrid in La Liga’s El Clasico – but Valencia have been doing their best to muscle in on the media action this week.

Real will definitely lead the Primera Liga into the new year, regardless of tomorrow’s result at the Nou Camp, but the match will still have a big bearing on the title race.

If Barcelona win at their fortress, which is about to be revamped by famous British architect Sir Norman Foster, they will break for Christmas just a point behind their arch-enemies.

However, a Real win would see them go seven points clear of the Catalan side.

Barca defender Gabriel Milito believes the match with the defending champions could hinge on one incident. He said: “Both teams are in form and have won well in recent games in La Liga. We will have to pay attention to small details during the course of the match which are likely to decide the outcome of the game.”

Thierry Henry is available for coach Frank Rijkaard who has been boosted by the return of another striker, Samuel Eto’o, who has looked sharp since ending his injury lay-off.

“Eto’o is a very important player for the team,” said Milito. “He is brave and has a very impressive winning mentality. We have welcomed him back with open arms because he is a crucial player.”

Real legend Raul admits his annual visit to the Nou Camp still excites him. He said: “I try to enjoy everything surrounding the game the days before it takes place. Everyone talks about it. Rivalry between both sides is very strong and one has to be concentrated on the match in order to help the team do well.”

Raul added: “We are in better form in theory because we’re leaders with a four-point difference, but anything can happen.

“The home atmosphere always gives the home team a certain advantage over its opponent, but we proved we deserved a victory last year in Barcelona despite the oppressive atmosphere.

However, for once the media has not been focused exclusively on the showpiece game with events at Valencia causing a few ripples that have even reached Madrid and Barcelona.

Valencia coach Ronald Koeman may not have enthused the fans with results much since replacing Quique Sanchez Flores last month – but he is certainly shaking the club up.

Koeman has already made it clear to long-serving players Santiago Canizares and David Albelda that their services are not required while Miguel Angel Angulo’s future is also unclear.

Whether Koeman is given the time to carry out his revolution remains to be seen, but club president Juan Soler has so far backed the Dutchman.

Valencia start the weekend in seventh and Koeman will be eager to end the year on a winning note at a Real Zaragoza side whose coach Victor Fernandez does not look particularly secure in his position.

The closest clubs to Real and Barca – three points behind the Catalans – are Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

Atletico host Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon stadium while Villarreal are at home to Recreativo Huelva.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s Champions League draw means Premier League eyes will focus on Milan tomorrow as the best team in Italy take on the best team in the world in the city’s derby.

Inter Milan sit seven points clear at the top of Serie A and appear to be unstoppable in the defence of their Scudetto title.

AC Milan, however, are champions of both Europe and the world and in beating Boca Juniors to win the Club World Cup last Sunday established themselves as the most successful club side in international competitions.

Surprisingly, though, Inter are considering themselves as the underdogs, despite holding a 22-point lead over their cross city rivals in the league standings.

“They are the favourites. They’re the world champions and we need to play at their level,” centre-back Marco Materazzi said. “It’s really motivating to play the best team and to try to prove we are as good as them.”

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti also believes that his side’s recent Club World Cup success in Japan will help carry his side to victory.

“Coming to the derby off the back of bad defeat would certainly have been a big blow for us, but instead we are arriving with confidence, optimism and serenity,” he said.

And he has not written off his team’s title chances either. Despite the huge gap to Inter, Milan do have three games in hand and were they to win all three and defeat their city rivals, that would fall to just 10 points.