Total turnaround at Valencia: 'This tastes sweet after all the suffering'

Valencia’s 1-0 victory over Sevilla was more than just another three points it was further confirmation of one of the most dramatic turnarounds in La Liga this season.

Just a few months ago, Los Che were teetering on the edge of relegation, their supporters growing increasingly disillusioned with the direction of the club, and the atmosphere around Mestalla clouded by years of frustration. Today, things feel very different. The team is climbing the table, the stadium is buzzing again, and under Carlos Corberán, there is a renewed sense of purpose, unity, and belief.

The win against Sevilla, a side with its own European pedigree, was Valencia’s latest step away from the shadows and toward a potential place in European competitions next season. The shift in mentality has been as important as the results themselves. There’s confidence in every movement, structure in every play, and a new sense of pride in the badge qualities that had been missing for far too long.

The recent 2-1 away win at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid served as a statement performance and a psychological turning point. It reminded everyone players, fans, and rivals that Valencia can still compete with the elite. That result, coupled with the clean sheet and composed display against Sevilla, has positioned Valencia firmly in mid-table, closer to the European qualification zone than the relegation places that haunted them earlier this season.

Marca summed it up perfectly: “Mestalla has earned the right to dream.” The stadium, once filled with anxiety and tension, now roars with excitement and anticipation. The fans, who have endured years of disappointment and a perceived lack of ambition from the boardroom particularly under the ownership of Peter Lim are finally seeing a team on the pitch that reflects their passion and demands. As Marca also pointed out, the team appears solid and united, not only in spirit but tactically as well.

Carlos Corberán deserves immense credit for orchestrating this transformation. The 42-year-old, born in the Valencia region, took over at a moment when the club looked doomed. His predecessor, Rúben Baraja, couldn’t find a solution to the team’s poor form, and with no big-name reinforcements arriving in the January transfer window, expectations were low. Corberán, however, didn’t ask for miracles he simply built a foundation based on hard work, discipline, and cohesion.

One of his most impressive achievements has been tightening the defense. Under his guidance, Valencia have become difficult to break down, showing a level of organization and collective responsibility that had been sorely lacking. Unlike other clubs that rely heavily on the transfer market to fix problems, Corberán has maximized the potential of the players already at his disposal. The only significant winter addition was the loan signing of Umar Sadiq from Real Sociedad a modest move that pleased fans familiar with the limited financial flexibility under Peter Lim’s ownership.

That’s part of what makes this story so compelling. Valencia’s resurgence hasn’t been driven by money, star signings, or flashy marketing campaigns it has come from the training ground, from a coach who has inspired his squad and rebuilt their confidence from the ground up. On Friday night, the appreciation from the stands was loud and clear. Before a ball had even been kicked against Sevilla, Mestalla was already singing Corberán’s name, a rare show of affection that speaks volumes about the impact he’s had in such a short time.

Local newspaper Las Provincias captured the emotional shift perfectly: “Unstoppable. This run feels so sweet after all the suffering. When Corberán arrived, the misery was overwhelming. Now, it’s almost as if joy is a constant. Valencia suddenly walks a much calmer path.” For a club that has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent years, this period of stability and optimism feels like a breath of fresh air.

The path ahead is still long, and the fight for European spots will be fierce. Several teams are still within striking distance, and any drop in form could shift the narrative once more. But for now, Valencia fans have every reason to believe. The players are responding, the system is working, and for the first time in years, the future doesn’t look like something to fear it looks like something to embrace.