Referee Pulido Santana to officiate the crucial Valladolid-Valencia clash on Saturday, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions among fans and pundits alike. This Saturday, Valencia faces a must-win match against Valladolid at Mestalla, set to kick off at 18:30 (local time). The outcome of this game is particularly significant for Valencia, as a win could lift them out of the relegation zone, depending on the results of other matches, including Las Palmas’ face-off against Real Betis the following day.
Valencia‘s manager, Carlos Corberán, now has a golden opportunity to translate the recent positive developments under his leadership into a crucial victory, as the team is eager to escape the clutches of relegation. With the stakes so high, anything less than three points against a struggling Valladolid side can only be viewed as a setback in their quest for survival in La Liga.
Read more: Antonio Rüdiger May Miss Match Against Rayo Vallecano The choice of Pulido Santana as the referee for this encounter has raised eyebrows, particularly among Valencia supporters, who recall a controversial match last season where Santana officiated a game between Valencia and Osasuna, which ended in a disappointing defeat for Valencia. Fans still talk about the dramatic late goal Osasuna scored from a dubious corner awarded after an apparent foul went unchecked, a moment that left a bitter taste in the mouths of Valencia fans. With this match, Pulido Santana returns to a venue where he has previously encountered dissatisfaction from the local crowd.
Meanwhile, attention also turns to referee Munuera Montero, who has observed a significant absence from officiating in Primera División matches after issuing a red card to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham for an offhand remark. Following that incident, Montero has not been assigned any first-division matches for nearly a month. He had a chance to return last Monday during a match between Villarreal and Espanyol, which was ultimately suspended due to inclement weather. As this new matchday unfolds, Montero will remain off the pitch, extending his wait for a return to top-flight officiating.
Read more: Flick Keeps His Cards Close to His Chest Ahead of Osasuna Clash
