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LaLiga: Can Valencia replicate the spirit of 2003 and dent Barcelona's title ambitions?

The contest between the established elite and the fresh faced challenger is commonplace in sport. We all like to believe that any given individual or team can win, even if the odds are against them, to fulfil this belief that nothing is impossible. The reality is nine times out of ten, the plucky challenger doesn’t overcome the odds. This is the same in life.

Valencia represent that hope of change in LaLiga. Much like when Atletico Madrid battled their way to the title three years ago, everyone loves an upset. Well, unless you’re backing the favourite. It’s the same when a 100/1 horse comes in first you and immediately think, “Imagine if I’d put my weekly wage on it.” We’re dreamers at heart.

Barcelona are, in contrast, the playground bullies of LaLiga. They are the ones who dictate how things are going to play out. It’s their ball, their pitch and their rules. If you dare to break away or challenge their status, they’ll crush you. To let someone challenge them and for it to go unpunished would only encourage dissention. They need to swat away Valencia this weekend or it could cause a power vacuum.

There hasn’t been a better time for Valencia to challenge for the title

There are chunks in Barcelona’s armour and it’s important Valencia go for the kill. You can’t afford to bolster the confidence of the Champions-elect and less so at this stage. A loss and their title ambitions are extinguished before they ever truly began.

And while victory wouldn’t signal the end of Barcelona, it would instil doubt and worry. If that sets in, psychologically, Valencia would have the advantage.

For Valencia they are desperate for a little more credit. Barcelona aren’t taking a victory for granted. The fact they started Messi on the bench against Juventus is the ultimate sign of respect. They know, to break Valencia’s spirit, they need their leader to be at his best.

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This challenging of Barcelona by Valencia isn’t something new either. Back in the 2003/04 season, another epic clash between the two ended up having a significant impact on the title race. Barcelona weren’t the reigning champions, nor at they this year, but were desperate to get back amongst the best.

Ronaldinho was their star signing and a young man by the name of Andres Iniesta was beginning his journey to the top. Expectations were high, this was the year many felt they’d regain the league title.

However Valencia weren’t ready to let their own run of success disappear without a trace. Following their surprise title triumph in 2001, a disappointing campaign saw them finish 3rd in 2002. Gaizka Mendieta, Valencia’s own ‘Ronaldinho’, went to Lazio after that initial league victory. There was no way they could compete against Barcelona.

But they did.

In 2003, people didn’t expect them to beat Barcelona to the title either

Ricardo Oliveira scored one of the goals of the season to stun Barcelona at the Camp Nou. It was a performance of champions, digging deep for large parts of the game but taking advantage of the opportunities handed to them. If we’re being honest, Oliveira’s effort was so good it probably wouldn’t register on today’s xG charts. A moment of brilliance but one which defined Valencia’s self-belief.

Barcelona would go on to extract an ounce of revenge at Mestalla but by that time it was too little, too late. Valencia were pushing Real Madrid, who crumbled so badly in the final weeks, and eventually won their second LaLiga title in three seasons. ‘Un golpe sobre la mesa.

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The crowd will be the 12th man

The coaches and players at Valencia aren’t feeling the pressure just yet. Most don’t want to admit they are even in the title race, not publicly at least, because to do so would only invite higher expectations. But between themselves, away from the public eye and out of earshot of Marcelino, there’s a genuine belief they could achieve something special this season.

When Barcelona step out onto the pitch on Sunday evening they will be greeted by one of the hottest atmospheres in Spain. A buoyant, confident and roaring Mestalla will do everything in their power to support their team.

The neutrals will be on Valencia’s side, cheering on the underdog. Even the teams which hold a deep hatred for Los Che, like Real Madrid, will be hoping they can halt Barcelona’s fine start to the season. Perhaps they believe it’d be easier to catch Valencia than it would Barcelona.

Some might expect Valencia to sit back and absorb Barcelona’s attack but at home, this won’t happen. If you want to make a statement then you need to go toe-to-toe with the best around – and that’s Barcelona. A smash and grab victory wouldn’t be turned down, but it isn’t in Valencia’s makeup to play in such a way.

The players are desperate to show they’re good enough

Simone Zaza and Rodrigo Moreno are the best strike partnership in LaLiga. They’ll feel confident of getting chances against a Pique-less defence. In midfield Dani Parejo will look to continue his great form and find the space to cause damage with his passing range. Geoffrey Kondogbia, the new linchpin in midfield, will look to shackle the great Andres Iniesta. Ezequiel Garay has to keep his fellow countryman Messi quiet. Martin Montoya, against his former employers, has a chance to show why they were wrong to let him go.

This generation of Valencia players has the opportunity to not only lay down a marker for this season but for next one as well. It’s about building a project that matches the ambition of its owner Peter Lim. Now the boardroom is a more cohesive group we are seeing the coaching staff focus entirely on football.

You also can’t undervalue the impact of having a genuinely good manager in the dugout either.

Can Valencia rise to the challenge?

Continuing with the analogy of the playground, Messi is the most popular guy at school. People are offering to do his homework for free, all in desperation for some kind of acknowledgement. In his time as top dog, he’s amassed quite the gang of followers. It’s almost effortless for him to remain in power at this stage, he’s untouchable. Or at least, that’s how he and his team feel.

Marcelino is the new kid. Instead of biding his time to earn the trust of the masses, or suck up to the status quo, he wants to disband the ruling party. Those kids who are underappreciated or were cast aside in the playground are immediately flocking to aid the uprising. This could be their only chance at change, at ‘freeing’ the people. The battle lines are there for all to see.

Fight or flee, Valencia. Fight or flee?