Global, La Liga

The invincible height of the stadium alone is enough to make you stop in awe and gawp. The Mestalla is undoubtedly one of the most formidable cauldrons in Europe.

Just three years ago, this ground was the home of the La Liga and Uefa Cup double champions under the leadership of present Liverpool coach Rafa Benítez and Valencia’s record at home has remained impressive ever since. The front row seats are just metres from the pitch – an unusual feature for the majority of Champions League sides – and they tower as far as the eye can see, ensuring only the sky can be observed from within these awesome walls.

Valencia will move, in 2009, to the Nou Mestalla, leaving behind the great legacy from their current home. Such an expansion, however, is essential to host the growing, fanatical support.

The new stadium, based three miles west of the city centre, will host 75,000 at a cost of up to €300m; the current base holds only 53,000 with no room for expansion. The Mestalla was opened in 1923 and built within the city of Valencia, meaning housing surrounds the stadium. With the revolution of footballing infrastructure over the last two decades, the sight of such a large venue amongst ordinary buildings and constructs is rare. It nevertheless adds to the Mestalla’s charm and uniqueness, and serves as a constant reminder that football is at the heart of the city.

Immediately facing the players is row upon row of terracing, routinely bulging with fervent supporters: motivating for those in white, somewhat less so for the one-time visitors

The Mestalla, though, is clearly nearing the end of its vibrant life. Outside, the paintwork is crumbling and ugly bits of concrete stand out like a Brit taking an overseas holiday for the first time. It hardly befits a successful club like Valencia and a large amount of work would need to be carried out before the stadium could recapture its beauty. Inside, the steep terracing is a terrifying spectacle for the opposition though on closer inspection, the seats are worn and torn and uncomfortably bunched together. The view, however, is fantastic from wherever you sit such is the gradient. Even a supporter standing up in the next row would not obstruct a fan’s vision and from the very top of the arena, you may as well be in a helicopter hovering over the events on the field.

The training facilities are a twenty-minute car journey away and encompass numerous practice and seven-a-side pitches, along with a café and main building, which holds some of the less prestigious silverware. The facilities are 15km away from Valencia centre, based in a tranquil location surrounded by offices and industrial buildings.

The Mestalla’s changing rooms are modern and smart and upon leaving them, the players enter the renowned tunnel, the scene of many nerve-ridden faces before some of the biggest continental games. They then progress up the few stairs which lead onto the pitch, and immediately facing them is row upon row of terracing, routinely bulging with fervent supporters: motivating for those in white, somewhat less so for the one-time visitors.

Relocating to the Nou Mestalla appears necessary as the current home crumbles and fails to meet supporter demand. The greatest fear, though, is that the trepidation inspired by the current setting will be lost in the spacious surroundings of the Benicalap region. The Mestalla, a vast venue of intimidation, has immeasurably aided Valencia’s recent triumphs at home and in Europe, yet without any silverware in three seasons, perhaps a change of environment will trigger a new wave of success for Los Che.

Have you visited the Mestalla? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

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