Football United

Valencia CF face Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht in their first European tie at the Mestalla since winning the UEFA Cup last season.

Beaten finalists
Spain's title winners have never played Belgian opposition in the UEFA Champions League before - in fact Valencia have only ever lost or drawn in their six continental ties against clubs from that country. However, Claudio Ranieri is hoping the impetus of returning to a competition where Valencia have finished beaten finalists twice in the last five years will ensure a raucous night at the Mestalla.

Mixed results
Ranieri himself made it to the semi-final of last season's tournament with previous club Chelsea FC, before losing to AS Monaco FC. His return to Valencia has brought mixed results so far with defeat against Real Zaragoza in the Spainish Super Cup but a victory in the UEFA Super Cup against European champions FC Porto.

Difficulties
Now the Italian fears more than anything the effects which Spain midfield player Rubén Baraja has warned about after a tiring ten days of international football followed by a tough 2-2 draw at Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday. "It is difficult with so little time working together to create the right chemistry between the coach, the players and the atmosphere the fans can create," admitted Ranieri.

Ayala injured
"Until the end of December we will be playing three games a week and I understood when Baraja talked about the tiredness the international players accrue. You can take it for sure that I will rotate the team between league matches and Champions League matches". Although Roberto Ayala is still injured, Baraja is fit and must contend with competition from Stefano Fiore for a place beside captain David Albelda in central midfield.

Patience required
Defender Carlos Marchena agrees with Ranieri that Valencia may be vulnerable because the new coach has had little time to get to know his squad since Rafael Benítez's departure to Liverpool FC. "When a new trainer arrives you have to give him, and his players, a little time to adapt while he reviews the systems in place and retouches things tactically. Therefore it's natural that our team is not at 100 per cent yet."

Travel sickness
Anderlecht arrived in Spain only one point off the top of their domestic league having beaten KV Oostende 3-1 at the weekend, the latest in a run of four straight victories. Domestic wins are not a problem for Anderlecht - it is their away form that worries coach Hugo Broos. They have won just one of their last 18 away games in Europe and Broos said: "Last season our big problem was that we lost every away game against Olympique Lyonnais, [FC] Bayern [München] and Celtic [FC], therefore we will come and attack Valencia.

Dindane returns
It should help Broos that Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane has made his peace with the club. Dindane had refused to train as he was seeking a transfer, but now the man who scored twice to eliminate SL Benfica in the third qualifying round is focused and ready again. "I have already said sorry to my team-mates and now I'm going to make amends" he promised.

Baseggio doubt
Anderlecht president Roger Vanden Stock added: "In my view, it is now down to him to prove to Anderlecht and our supporters, perhaps the whole of Europe, that he is ready for a move to a bigger club". Dindane will be partnered up front by summer signing Mbo Mpenza, while midfield player Walter Baseggio must prove his fitness after picking up a knock against Oostende.

Source: Uefa.com