José Angel “Cote” on Guarding Lionel Messi: “Messi was the Most Challenging to Cover, the Rest Were Earthly

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November 16, 2024

Valdés Reflects on illustrious Career, Names Messi as Toughest Opponent

Gijón, Spain – José Ángel ‘Cote’ Valdés, who recently concluded his professional football career with Real sporting de gijón, has recounted memorable moments from his time at top European clubs, including AS Roma and FC Porto, and his pride in representing Spain at the Under-21 level, where he secured a European Championship title in 2011.

A Career Spanning Spain’s Top Flight

The seasoned defender, who also featured for Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Eibar, and Osasuna throughout his distinguished career in Spain’s Primera División, shared his insights in a recent interview. He spoke candidly about his thankfulness for recent tributes acknowledging his contributions to the sport, particularly one organized by Peña isma.

“I am incredibly grateful for the recognition,” Valdés stated. “To be acknowledged by such a respected group within Sporting is a true honor,and it means a great deal to me.”

Optimism for Sporting Gijón and New Manager

When asked about the current state of his beloved Sporting Gijón, Valdés expressed cautious optimism. He believes the team is building a competitive spirit. “I see a team that is capable of challenging anyone,” he commented. “It’s still early days, but the commitment is evident.”

He also offered praise for the newly appointed manager, Asier Garitano, whom he knows well from their time working together previously. “He’s a very approachable coach, close to his players, and I think he will be a great fit for Sporting,” Valdés explained. “He embodies a rare quality in modern football – a grounded, relatable demeanor, much like José Luis Mendilibar, who similarly impacted my career at Eibar.”

Reflections on Former Teammates

Valdés highlighted several former teammates who left a lasting impression on him. From his recent stint at Eibar, he singled out Anaitx Arbilla, noting their strong partnership and Arbilla’s current continued success. He also mentioned Joan Jordán, now with Sevilla, and Marc Cucurella, currently at Chelsea, as standout players from his time at eibar.

Within Sporting Gijón, Valdés expressed admiration for the emerging talents, including Nacho Martín, Guille Rosas, gaspar, Pablo garcía, Diego Sánchez, Queipo, and Christian Joel, as well as the promising newcomer, Enol Prendes. “there’s a wealth of potential within the club to propel Sporting forward,” he asserted.

European Experiences: Rome and Porto

Recalling his time abroad, Valdés fondly remembered both AS Roma and FC Porto. He described Roma as a notable club within Italian and European football, acknowledging the challenge of adapting as a young player. Playing alongside World Champions like Francesco Totti,Daniele De Rossi,and Simone Perrotta proved to be an invaluable learning experience.

“The team at Porto, though, was exceptionally strong, perhaps even more so than the Roma squad,” Valdés revealed. “The experience was highly rewarding, and it undoubtedly elevated my game.”

Memorable Moments: Debut, Bernabeu Victory, and Local Derby Goal

When prompted to share his most cherished memories as a Sportinguista, Valdés identified three stand-out moments: his first-team debut, the historic victory at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid in 2011, and a goal scored against Oviedo in a local derby on September 7, 2024. “The debut was truly special, representing everything the club meant to me,” he said. “The win at the Bernabéu was iconic.And scoring against Oviedo…those are memories I will cherish forever.”

The unsurpassable Messi

Concluding the interview, Valdés was asked to name the most arduous opponent he ever faced. Without hesitation, he responded: “Lionel Messi.”

“Everyone poses a challenge, of course,” he conceded with a laugh, “but Messi was in a league of his own.His positioning,his dribbling… he was simply impossible to contain.”

Club	Years
Real Sporting de Gijón	(Two Stints)
AS Roma	(Timeframe Unspecified)
FC Porto	(Timeframe Unspecified)
Real Sociedad	(Timeframe Unspecified)
Villarreal	(Timeframe Unspecified)
Eibar	(Timeframe Unspecified)
Osasuna	(Timeframe Unspecified)

Did You Know? José Ángel ‘Cote’ Valdés earned a European Under-21 Championship title with Spain in 2011, cementing his place in Spanish football history.

Pro Tip: Aspiring defenders can learn from Valdés’s experience – focusing on partnership building and adapting to different tactical approaches.

What are your most memorable moments from José Ángel ‘Cote’ Valdés’s career? Do you agree with his assessment of Lionel Messi as the most difficult opponent?

The Evolving Role of the Modern Full-Back

The position of full-back has drastically evolved in recent years. Historically, full-backs primarily focused on defensive duties. However, modern tactics increasingly demand that they contribute substantially to the attack, providing width, delivering crosses, and even scoring goals.Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool and Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich exemplify this trend. The Guardian provides an in-depth look at this tactical shift.

This demands a higher level of athleticism, technical skill, and tactical awareness from full-backs. They must be comfortable defending one-on-one, tracking runners, intercepting passes, and contributing to build-up play. Players like Valdés,who adapted to these changing demands throughout their careers,demonstrate the importance of versatility and continuous learning in professional football.

Frequently Asked Questions about José Ángel ‘Cote’ Valdés

• What is José Ángel ‘Cote’ Valdés known for? He is a former Spanish professional footballer known for his time at Sporting Gijón, Roma, and Porto, as well as winning the european Under-21 Championship in 2011.
• Which player did José Ángel ‘Cote’ Valdés find the most difficult to defend against? He identified Lionel Messi as the most challenging opponent he ever faced.
• What are some of the clubs José Ángel ‘Cote’ Valdés played for? He played for Real Sporting de Gijón, AS Roma, FC Porto, Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Eibar and Osasuna.
• What did Valdés say about his time at Roma? He described it as a significant learning experience, playing alongside world-class players.
• What is valdés’s opinion of Sporting Gijón’s current manager, Asier Garitano? He believes Garitano is a very approachable coach and a good fit for the club.

Share your thoughts on Valdés’s career and his insights in the comments below!

How did defenders attempt to mitigate the damage when facing Lionel Messi, acknowledging his near-unavoidable success?

“Messi Was the Moast Challenging to Cover, the Rest Were Earthly”: José Angel “Cote” on Guarding Lionel Messi

José Angel “Cote” – a veteran defender who spent over a decade in La Liga with clubs like Villarreal, Real Betis, and Mallorca – recently delivered a stark assessment of facing Lionel Messi. His candid remarks, echoing sentiments shared by many professionals, highlight the unique difficulties in containing the Argentinian maestro. This article delves into Cote’s experiences,analyzing why Messi presented such a formidable challenge,and how he differed from other world-class attackers. We’ll explore defensive strategies, the psychological impact of facing messi, and the broader context of defending against elite footballers.

The Unique Challenge of Lionel Messi: A Defender’s Perspective

Cote’s core statement – “Messi was the most challenging to cover, the rest were earthly” – isn’t simply hyperbole. It speaks to a fundamental difference in how Messi operates compared to other elite forwards like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, or even prime ronaldinho.

Here’s a breakdown of the key distinctions, according to Cote and other defenders who’ve faced Messi:

* unpredictability: Messi’s dribbling isn’t about raw speed (though he possesses that too). It’s about change of direction, a low center of gravity, and an almost preternatural ability to anticipate a defender’s movements. Other players rely more on power or a predictable pattern.

* Close Control: the ball seems glued to Messi’s foot.This allows him to operate in incredibly tight spaces, making it difficult for defenders to get a clean tackle in.

* Vision & Passing: Messi isn’t solely a goalscorer. His ability to pick out a pass – a through ball,a chipped cross – adds another layer of complexity for defenders. You can’t just focus on stopping his runs; you have to be aware of his passing range.

* Mental Acuity: Cote emphasized Messi’s intelligence. He doesn’t just react; he reads the game, exploiting weaknesses and anticipating defensive setups.

Defensive Strategies Against Messi: What Worked (and What Didn’t)

so, how did defenders attempt to neutralize Messi? Cote, and others, have discussed various approaches. Effective containment – rather than complete shutdown – was often the goal.

* Double-Teaming: A common tactic, but one with risks. While it can limit Messi’s space, it also opens up opportunities for his teammates. Accomplished double-teams required immediate pressure and a quick recovery to cover passing lanes.

* Physicality (Within Limits): Attempting to disrupt Messi’s rhythm with controlled physicality was sometimes employed. However, excessive aggression often resulted in fouls and free-kick opportunities in dangerous areas. The key was to be firm without being reckless.

* Denying Space in the Channels: Messi frequently exploits the space between the center-backs and full-backs. Defenders focused on cutting off these passing lanes and forcing him into less dangerous areas.

* Compact Defensive Shape: A well-organized, compact defence minimizes the space Messi has to operate in. This requires excellent communication and discipline from all players.

* the “Dirty Work”: Some defenders admitted to employing subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) tactics to disrupt Messi’s flow – a well-timed nudge, a strategically placed body check. These were often a last resort.

Cote noted that simply fouling Messi wasn’t a viable long-term strategy.His free-kick ability and the resulting set-piece opportunities were too dangerous.

The Psychological impact: Facing the Best

Beyond the tactical challenges, defending against messi presented a significant psychological hurdle.

* Intimidation Factor: Knowing you’re up against arguably the greatest player of all time can be daunting.

* Constant Awareness: Defenders had to be constantly aware of Messi’s position, even when he didn’t have the ball. This required immense concentration and stamina.

* Acceptance of the Unavoidable: Cote alluded to a sense of resignation that Messi would inevitably do something special. The goal was to minimize the damage.

* Mental Resilience: Being beaten by Messi was almost unavoidable. Defenders needed to be mentally strong enough to quickly recover and continue competing.

Comparing Messi to Other Elite Attackers: Ronaldo,Neymar,and Beyond

Cote’s “earthly” comment wasn’t meant to diminish the quality of other top players. It simply highlighted Messi’s unique attributes.

Here’s a brief comparison:

* Cristiano Ronaldo: More reliant on pace, power, and aerial ability. Defenders could focus on denying him space in the box and limiting his opportunities to shoot.

* Neymar: A dazzling dribbler with extraordinary skill, but often more predictable in his movements than Messi. Physicality could be more effective against Neymar.

* Ronaldinho: Similar to Messi in terms of flair and unpredictability, but less consistent and more prone to showboating.

* Kylian Mbappé: Explosive speed and direct running are