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Maturity produces vintage Valencia

David Albelda believes that previous disappointments are the spur to Valencia CF's success this season.

By Andy Hall in Gothenburg

For newly-crowned Spanish champions Valencia CF, Wednesday's UEFA Cup final against Olympique de Marseille represents their third crack at a European title in four years.

Learning curve
The east-coast Spanish side reached the UEFA Champions League final in consecutive years - only to lose to Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern München in 2000 and 2001. Captain David Albelda believes those disappointments have helped the team to mature.

'Huge transformation'
"I think there has been a huge transformation within the side since losing the Champions League finals," the 26-year-old explained. "Valencia have grown dramatically over the last few years. The team itself is more or less the same but what has changed is that we are better prepared than before, we have another couple of years of experience and that is noticeable."

Word of warning
However, Albelda was quick to warn against feelings of complacency. "We may be more accustomed to these high-profile matches but that does not mean that everything is going to turn out perfectly," he said. "We are playing a final, it is a one-off match and anything could happen."

New experience
For other squad members, like top scorer Mista and defender Carlos Marchena, this is a new experience. Marchena said: "It is going to be an emotional night for me. It is my first final, and to be a part of a great team in a UEFA final against great rivals is very special."

Team effort
During the league championship celebrations, club chairman Jaime Ortí put Valencia's success down to a collective spirit. "This has been a team effort," he said, "Ten out of ten for each player who has contributed and also the coach, I have always believed in them."

Goals shared
That team effort is borne out by the statistics - every single outfield player, bar left-backs Amedeo Carboni and Fábio Aurélio, has scored this season. Their goals tally has matched Madrid's 71, but Valencia have conceded just 26 - the lowest figure for any Spanish champion side in 30 years.

Mista relaxed
One of keys to the season has been the explosive power of Mista, who has claimed 19 goals in domestic competition. Curiously, the 25-year-old striker puts his new-found prowess down to a mental relaxation book he was loaned by team physio, Francisco Ayestarán. "I decided to read the book last summer before the season started and it has helped me with my concentration and dealing with stress and nerves," Mista confessed.

Drogba threat
If Mista's figures have prompted Spain coach Iñaki Sáez to consider taking him to Portugal next month then Marseille can also boast threats in attack. Should Mista's opposite number Didier Drogba shake off fitness worries he will hope to add to his eleven goals in European competition this season.

No special treatment
Albelda, though, says that as far as Valencia are concerned, the Ivory Coast striker is just one member of a highly potent side. "Drogba is a great player, there is no doubt about that," he said. "But we play in a competitive league where there are lots of talented individuals and we have never singled out any one player for special treatment."

'Protagonists'
Whether Mista or Drogba are on target in Gothenburg on Wednesday night, Valencia coach Rafael Benítez insists his team will look to attack. "There will be moments when we control the game and others when we do not, but we are ready and we will take the game to Marseille if we have to. We are prepared to be the protagonists," he warned.

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