VALENCIA - REAL MADRID
Marcelino to call on Coquelin at centre-half against Real Madrid
Valencia have appealed to TAD in an effort to free Ruben Vezo up to play against Real Madrid at Mestalla but that is a long shot with Coquelin ready to step in.
Francis Coquelin is part of a French generation that grew up watching Zinedine Zidane torment opponents and delight fans in equal measure. He was seven years old when France won the World Cup but Claude Makelele was the kind of player the former Arsenal midfielder wanted to be like and when he arrived in London at 17, he was compared to Patrick Viera.
Arriving in Valencia on the 11th of January, Coquelin has played in two games in LaLiga against Depor and Las Palmas. He will line out on Saturday against Real Madrid at the Mestalla but not in his natural position. Marcelino is set to start the Frenchman in the centre of defense alongside Ezequiel Garay in the absence of Gabriel Paulista and Ruben Vezo - both suspened.
Jeison Murillo remains on the physio's table and Marcelino has to improvise. In his last two games at the position, Coquelin doesn't harbout great memories. Against Bayern and Manchester City, they lost 1-5 and 3-1 respectively.
Valencia take their Vezo red card appeal to TAD
Valencia will exhaust all resources in an effort to get Ruben Vezo's red card against Las Palmas rescinded. Their initial appeal was rejected but los Che chiefs have pushed for a suspension of the suspension as they appeal to TAD as they take it one step higher.
Marcelino says the game on Saturday against Real Madrid will not be the decisive one in the race for Champions League football and the asturian says the Copa del Rey semi-final will also be a consideration, which Valencia play next week. Gayá, Kondogbia and Zaza could be rested with that in mind with Lato, Maksimovic and Mina in line for a start.
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