Tactical analysis: How Marcelino resurrected Valencia

#2 Rodrigo playing dual role

Rodrigo Moreno (right) does not hesitate before making a tackle

Rodrigo Moreno has been a key facet of Valencia's attack, battling back against all odds to get himself into favour once again. The former Benfica youngster has earned himself Spain call-ups off the back of his good work as a second striker.

While Rodrigo plays as a midfielder he has been a key part of the defence also. Keen to drop in and offer himself as a wall to his midfield options, Rodrigo is very much the reference point for any quick vertical passes through the lines at Valencia. He can play flicks into his strike partner or try to feed passes into wider areas to enable link-up play between the interiors and the overlapping fullbacks.

Rodrigo works incredibly hard to press and harry opponents, but the link-up play involved in his role is what has made him so indispensable. His selfless work for the cause allows a more direct No. 9 like Simone Zaza to lead the line with a little bit more freedom. This allows the Italian to take up a more advanced position where he would be better suited to meet early crosses from the flanks.