Valencia will have a "completely different approach" to their semi-final second leg against Arsenal this evening (Thursday).
That's according to La Liga expert Andrew Gaffney, who has been previewing Arsenal's crucial Europa League semi-final clash with Valencia from the Spanish city.
Unai Emery's Arsenal side lead 3-1 from the first leg at the Emirates after a brace from the Gunners' player of the season Alexandre Lacazette and a late, late strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned around the tie after an early goal from Mouktar Diakhaby.
The tie is still '50-50' according to Unai Emery who spoke at his pre-match press conference at the Mestalla on Wednesday evening, adding he thought Thursday's vital clash was good enough to have been the final.
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But the visitors will have to be at their best to withstand the expected Valencia onslaught, according to Spanish football expert Andrew Gaffney.
Speaking to football.london in Spain, he said: "Valencia set out to defend at the Emirates and didn’t quite know how to react when they went ahead.
"Any semblance of a game plan when out of the window and Arsenal controlled the contest. At home, in front of a roaring Mestalla, it’ll be a completely different approach.
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"Everyone likes to think their crowd can be that 12th man and Valencia are no different. In the big matches, they can generate an intimidating atmosphere and will need to stamp their authority on the match and look to expose that creaking Arsenal backline.
"Dani Parejo has arguably been one of the best Spanish midfielders this year and he’ll be tasked with creating the opportunities for Rodrigo Moreno and company to put away. If he’s given the time and space to dictate the tempo it’ll feel like an extremely long night for Arsenal.
"Up top Rodrigo hasn’t quite hit the heights of last season but he’s someone that has the pace and trickery to get in behind and cause problems. Gonçalo Guedes’s season has been blighted by injuries but he’s turned into their talisman once again in recent weeks.
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"The Portuguese wide man is possibly the most talented player in Valencia’s squad and he’ll go some way to repaying that €40m transfer fee if he can spark a comeback."
Follow Andrew on Twitter @GaffneyVLC.
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