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Valencia won't have another chance like this one

Because of numerous obligations in the pre-season, Real are currently out of shape and the away team have a chance to surprise them. Let's add to it the fact that Taylor is injured, and even Rudy is questionable, so it's clear why Valencia stand a chance

Real Madrid had a busy summer and while everyone else rested, Real went through a lot. First half of the team played throughout the whole European Championship, and right after that they traveled to Brasil to the Intercontinental Cup. After they came back, they played in the Spanish Supercup. They triumphed in Brasil, but that took away a lot of stregth so they were unrecognizable in Malaga against Unicaja, and Unicaja crushed them.

- As soon as you concede 96 points, it's clear something didn't work. We have problems in the defense because the players are still out of shape and physically we're not as prepared as we were last year, and when you're like that, you can't even play the defense right - said Laso.

With all the good hope, Real still can't be at their highest level now and it's logical to expect that they will grow as the season passes on because, as we said, half of the team had an individual program this year. It's not thus realistic to expect of them to get into shape in the following month. Also, numerous injuries plagued them lately, so Laso currently doesn't have the full line-up at his disposal:

- Sadly, Taylor is still injured, but I believe Rudy will play. He started practicing. He's still not at 100%, bur he should play. Maciulis as well, he was hit above the brow so it's nothing serious.

The absence in the backcourt can easily be replaced in Real because they have a lot of quality. However, when we're talking about Rudy, we have to be cautious because he was on medications the whole summer and it's a question how much will Laso risk him at the start of the season. Today's match against Valencia is important, but it's not key because it's clear that at the end of the season Real will be at the one of the first two places on the table. Because of that being defeated today would be no tragedy, but it's clear Laso is not thinking about that:

- They are stronger and they showed great matches in the pre-season. They have centers who can win the paint with their back shots and that makes them very uncomfortable. However, we are real and it's clear that we are expected to win from the very start.

Valencia had an impressive preparation period. They hit is off with the newcomers, and new coach Martinez put it all together very quickly, so Valencia really have a reason to hope to become one of the first four teams of the ACB League But, Martinez wasn't impressed by that:

- The pre-season is always somewhat different than the real deal. I am convinced that in three to four months we will be talking how badly we played in the pre-season because our game needs to progress with time. But let's say it's good for now.

It's a good thing the coach isn't satisfied because that means that we'll only see an even better Valencia. The opening couldn't have been better because they're going to an away match against the fierce Real, but Martinez isn't excited by that either:

- We're not concerned with Real, we're looking at our own game. That's primary at this point and we're basing everything upon it. If we manage to beat Real in an away match, that's great. If we don't, we won't despair.

We should expect the away team to fight, because they know they won't get another chance like this. Real are currently out of shape and if there's ever a time to surprise them, it's now. Valencia will stand a great chance today and whatever Martinez said, you should still keep them in mind.

The title of the preview says it all. Valencia will hardly get a better chance to surprise Real Madrid than today. Real were in a very fast pace this summer. They had the European Championship, the Intercontinental Cup and in the end, the Supercup. The team are not in full shape yet and that's logical, and Valencia seem like an ideal team to take advantage of that. With Martinez's arrival as the new coach, the defense became more important and it looked great in the preparations. The team are much stronger than last season and they can now stand up to the best. Even though the counter-handicap is a good choice here, because of the very high margin and a good defense by the away team, I have decided for Real's team under which I don't see here over 80 points.