Tactical analysis: How Marcelino resurrected Valencia

#1 Defensive play of Valencia

Valencia's defensive play often involves double-teaming on the opposing team's players

Marcelino's 4-4-2 relies on very compact defending to try and frustrate opponents. When possession turns over, the midfield four must put in the hard running to get back into their shape with the focus of their press being quite ball-orientated.

By ensuring that a player heading down the right flank is met by their wide man being marked and a spare man coming across to close them down as well as Valencia's second striker enveloping him from the rear, it makes more risky and ambitious diagonal balls seem like the best way to break Valencia down.

By baiting these risky passes from opponents, it creates opportunities for the team to win the ball back and then be capable of breaking at pace into a stretched opposition. Should opponents overextend and try such passes to spare men on the far side, it ensures that if the intended recipient of the diagonal isn't found, he is automatically out of the game when Valencia counter at speed.

With one of Parejo or Kondogbia happy to shuffle across and help their full-backs and interior press, it makes Valencia incredibly hard to play through with attempting to switch the play at pace. Marcelino's style is very positive. It's quick and vertical when his side wins the ball back as well as when an opponent is caught out of shape. Using players that are very quick such as Guedes, Valencia can turn an opponent's mistake into a chance of their own within 15 seconds.

It has made Valencia into one of the more fearsome propositions in La Liga this season with their blend of steely defensive organization, sheer speed, and a clinical edge on the break. A lethal cocktail, both at Mestalla and on their travels.