Tactical analysis: How Marcelino resurrected Valencia

#3 The midfield combination

Portuguese Goncalo Guedes (left) has had a brilliant season so far

Carlos Soler, Goncalo Guedes, Nacho Gil (he has now been loaned), and Andreas Pereira have shared the responsibility of playing the interior roles in midfield. Fitting into the midfield four in the wide areas, they have the license to come inside and combine with their strike force, as well as the awareness required to link up with the likes of Martín Montoya and José Gayà, galloping up to support as full-backs.

Fed often by passes from their captain Parejo, the interiors provide the drive and pace on the counter-attack, with all four capable of dribbling in at speed help Valencia transition upfield hastily.