VALENCIA could open their new 70,000-capacity stadium in Spain’s second tier after their dismal start to the LaLiga season.
The Spanish outfit are rock bottom of the league after one draw and three defeats.
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The crisis club were hammered 5-0 at home to Barcelona last time out and there are concerns they could be heading for the Segunda Division.
On top of that, there is discontent among fans towards owner Peter Lim, with protests outside the Mestalla after their thrashing by Barca.
The team’s severe injury crisis hasn’t helped either with key players like Sergi Canos, Diego Lopez, Justin de Haas and Mouctar Diakhaby all out.
Now there are fears their new stadium – which is expected to cost around £275million – could be hosting the team in Spain’s second tier.
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The new ground is expected to be ready by the end of next summer following a lengthy delay.
Incredibly, construction begun nearly 20 years ago in 2007 before it was paused due to the club’s financial woes.
Construction eventually resumed in January 2025 after nearly 16 years of inactivity.
Some believe it will be one of the greatest stadiums of its kind in the world.
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Friday 11 September
Sevilla
20:00
PRD
Valencia
Saturday 12 September
Santander
13:00
PRD
Alavés
Osasuna
15:15
PRD
Espanyol
Athletic
17:30
PRD
Elche
Real Madrid
20:00
PRD
Rayo
Monday 7 September
Elche
2 – 3
PRD
Real Sociedad
Getafe
1 – 1
PRD
Celta
Sunday 6 September
Espanyol
1 – 1
PRD
Sevilla
Málaga
0 – 0
PRD
Levante
Alavés
5 – 2
PRD
Osasuna
Valencia
0 – 5
PRD
Barcelona
Spanish La Liga
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Pts
GD
W
D
L
Form
1
4
12
15
4
0
0
2
Alavés
4
10
7
3
1
0
3
4
9
7
3
0
1
4
4
9
0
3
0
1
5
4
8
3
2
2
0
6
4
7
1
2
1
1
7
4
7
1
2
1
1
8
Osasuna
4
7
-1
2
1
1
But it would be a disaster if Valencia – who have won six La Liga titles – were relegated just before moving into their new home as they look to recoup the cost of the project.
According to Stadium DB, the stadium’s construction is entering a “complex” stage as more than 100 hydraulic jacks are used to lift the 4,800-tonne roof.
Known as ‘The Big Lift’, it will be supported by 50 large steel pillars before work progresses to walkways and the stadium’s outer appearance.
Club CEO Ron Gourlay previously said the stadium was a symbol of Lim’s commitment to Valencia despite calls for him to sell.
He said: “I don’t think the owner is going to leave the club, and the club is moving forward with Nou Mestalla, which is almost finished and will be very positive. The test will come then; there will be no excuses.
Gourlay added: “[The stadium] is our way of generating income and resources to comply with this regulation.
“It will create many opportunities commercially, in marketing, and opportunities at both a national and global level.”
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There is already rising pressure on boss Carlos Corberan, who gave a bleak assessment of the club’s “difficult” situation last weekend.
He said: “It’s a situation that has affected us all, but it’s not one that has left us dejected.
“It’s a difficult situation that we will navigate together, that we will look at with great sincerity and honesty, and as a team we will seek solutions to turn this situation around.
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“It’s a difficult moment, a moment of disappointment, in which we accept any kind of criticism directed at us -especially me as the coach.
“Because the fans start the season with a very high level of enthusiasm, and I, as the coach, haven’t been able to give our team that same enthusiasm or the level of performance we want to give our fans.”