Saturday sees Fulham play their
final pre-season friendly against last season’s UEFA Cup finalists
Alaves.
The Spanish club surprised many with last season’s UEFA Cup run and
despite losing by the astounding score line of 5-4 to Liverpool, they proved
to be a side greater than the sum of their highly impressive parts. The
heartbreaking manner in which they lost, an own-goal golden-goal, made Alaves
unfortunate, yet gallant runners-up.
What lies ahead for the Spanish club this season is not so clear. Having
lost the UEFA Cup final, there is a danger they could slip into the “play-off
hangover” syndrome, which often arises in the English domestic game.
Alaves have also sold talented Romanian wing back Contra as well as striker
Javi Moreno to AC Milan over the summer. On first appearance, El Glorioso
appear to have a weaker side to the one which finished last season.
Nonetheless, as Fulham found out against Espanyol, any club competing in
La Liga is worthy of total respect. Playing against European opposition
has presented a stark difference to the style of football Fulham encountered
in the First Division last season.
Fulham fans who have yet to see the Whites play this campaign can expect
a misleadingly open game, as is the continental style. With space freely
given in less dangerous areas of the pitch, the defensive resistance increases
as teams threaten their opponent’s goal. This is in contrast to the
more rigid defences of the English game.
Despite their summer sales, Alaves still possess their fair share of danger
men. As equally gifted a player as the now departed Contra is central defender
Oscar Tellez. With technical abilities resembling a midfielder, Tellez is
also a major threat from dead ball situations, be it via his vicious left
foot shot or getting on the end of balls delivered into the box.
Further up the field, talented Croatian striker Jurica Vucko, will pose
a very real threat and is dangerous from any angle. Scheming midfielder
Delfi Geli will also be looking to combine with Vucko and break down a Fulham
defence which is expected to be marshalled by Edwin Van der Sar.
Lining up ahead of the Dutch ‘keeper is new signing Jon Harley, who
along with Abdeslam Ouadduo and Steed Malbranque, is expected to make his
Craven Cottage debut.
Despite losing the match against Espanyol, Fulham finished much the stronger
side and will be hoping to continue in that vein of form against Alaves.
Most notably, this match represents Fulham’s first home game of the
season as fans return to Craven Cottage after the summer break.
With the newly laid pitch in immaculate condition and no injury worries,
Fulham have the canvas and equipment to impose their artistry on the opposition.
Fulham verus Alaves is all set to be a thrilling display of attacking football
– don’t miss it!
Make sure you get yourself, friends and family down to the Cottage on Saturday
to see Fulham take on UEFA Cup finalists Deportivo Alaves. This will be
the first game to be played on the new pitch at Craven Cottage and it comes
at a crucial stage in Jean Tigana’s pre-season preparations.
Alaves proved against Liverpool that they are deadly on the counter attack,
having knocked out Inter Milan and Kaiserslautern on their way to the final.
However, for all their attacking prowess there will undoubtedly be cracks
in their defences for the likes of Louis Saha and Steed Malbranque to exploit.
The game kicks-off at 3pm and tickets are available on the turnstiles. Get
down to the Cottage and give your support to the lads – a good result
will be the perfect boost before the big showdown at Old Trafford on August
19th.
Ticket Prices:
Adult standing - £10, Child/concession £5, Adult seated - £12,
Child/concession seated - £6.
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