Valencia travel to Atletico Madrid trying to overcome on and off-the-field problems in the Spanish league this weekend.
Valencia have collected just two points from their last six matches and have not won a league game in two months. They have 27 points and trail leaders Real Madrid by 17.
FC Barcelona are seven points behind Madrid in second place with 37 points, followed by Espanyol with 36 and Atletico Madrid with 34.
After dropping veterans Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Angulo, Valencia coach Ronald Koeman loaned Manuel Fernandes, who was signed in the offseason for 18 million euros (US$26.4 million), to Everton on Thursday. Nicolas Zigic, also signed in the offseason, has been linked with a move to second-division side Real Sociedad as Koeman looks to mold Valencia's squad into his own.
There have been more off-field problems at Valencia. Ever Banega, who signed from Boca Juniors last Saturday in a deal worth 18 million euros, is reputed to be nude in a video on the Internet.
Banega trained with the team before the 2-1 Copa del Rey win over Real Betis on Wednesday. He could provide a boost if he makes his debut at the Vicente Calderon stadium tomorrow.
"That was the first match we played at a higher level," said Koeman, whose only league win since arriving was over Betis. "The best medicine is to win games, taking four or five matches without a loss would be the best way forward."
By contrast, Atletico are free from controversy and, after a 3-0 rout of Deportivo La Coruna last week, are in the final Champions league spot of fourth place.
Fullback Yiourkas Seitaridis and midfielder Thiago Motta are still injured, but could return for Atletico's local derby against Real Madrid next week. With Portugal midfielder Maniche reportedly set to be loaned to Inter Milan, Motta's recovery will determine whether Atletico look to the transfer window with the club also featuring in the league and UEFA Cups.
"The team is entering a very important stage. Were playing for a lot in a little amount of time," coach Javier Aguirre said.
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