Valencia had a much better season in 2017/18 than they had in 2016/17. With an experienced coach in Marcelino, they were suddenly much more coherent and much more difficult to beat with his 4-4-2 system, and they finished fourth with 73 points, eight places and 27 points better off than last year.
The key to Valencia’s success was that they started the season off so well, going undefeated until December, and even holding Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to draws.
They were always able to produce the kind of performance needed of them, whether a defensive showing was required or whether they had to outscore their opponents, like they did in the 6-3 win away at Real Betis in October. They embarked on an impressive Copa del Rey run too, eventually being overcome by Barcelona in the semi-finals.
It was only towards the end of the season that Valencia’s performances dropped off, perhaps a result of a lack of squad depth, tiredness and an increasing number of injuries. Marcelino liked to play the same players as often as possible and they seemed tired by the end, losing six times in the second half of the season after suffering just three defeats in the first half.
Their fourth placed finish means that Valencia return to the Champions League, but their sporting department will need to put in a lot of work over the summer. Their best player was winger Goncalo Guedes, but he was on loan from PSG and they might not be able to keep him, while 16-goal striker Rodrigo Moreno is wanted by several clubs and Valencia’s financial situation might mean they have to sell.
No matter what happens, at least they have Marcelino, who has proven himself as one of the best organisational coaches in the country.
