Aerial improvement a plus for Valencia CF

Recent games have seen Valencia CF go up against a series of aerial specialists, and Javi Gracia's side have made encouraging improvement in that aspect of their play.
Against SD Eibar on Monday night, the team won 35 aerial duels, compared to 23 for their opponents. Their average success rate from such circumstances is up to 17.3 per game.

In the contest that rounded off LaLiga Matchday 12, Uros Racic was the standout in the air, showing his prowess to win 11 aerial battles -almost a third of his side's total. Maxi Gómez provided an additional five.

Similar characteristics are the calling card of Athletic Club, who are the third best side in the league for aerial duels. They average 24.5 per game, just behind Eibar's 26.6.

Not the tallest team in the Spanish top flight, Valencia CF's upturn in success in the air has come about through positioning, courage and persistence.