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Real Madrid return to winning ways at the Mestalla

By Najam Arfeen

VALENCIA, SPAIN - JANUARY 27: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid celebrates with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his sides fourth goal during the La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid at Estadio Mestalla on January 27, 2018 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - JANUARY 27: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid celebrates with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his sides fourth goal during the La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid at Estadio Mestalla on January 27, 2018 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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Valencia lose ground in the battle for third place…

A tumultuous month came to a fitting end for Real Madrid as they grabbed a crucial away win against third-placed Valencia. The Mestalla has always been a perilous venue for the men in white, and this season’s shortcomings made it an even more complicated affair. Marcelino’s team fought hard throughout the encounter, and a number of missed chances could’ve swung the tide in their favour.

Los Blancos started the game brightly, and seemed to show more dynamism in a 4-3-3 system. The link-up play between Ronaldo, Benzema, and Bale proved to be a constant menace, especially on the break. A swift counter-attacking move unsurprisingly led to a penalty for Zidane’s side as Ronaldo was hacked down in the box by Montoya. The Portuguese forward emphatically converted the spot-kick in the 16th minute to give his side an early lead.

Chances followed for both sides, but it was ultimately another penalty that would add to Madrid’s lead. Benzema received a shove in the back, and the referee awarded a questionable penalty for the visitors in the 38th minute. Ronaldo scored once more, giving his side an added cushion for the second-half.

Valencia were inevitably the more energetic of the two sides after the break and had a number of big chances to mount a comeback. It didn’t take long for them to narrow the deficit as Santi Mina headed in a corner near the hour-mark – sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The pressure-cooker atmosphere stifled Real Madrid’s control in midfield, and it took multiple top-class saves from Keylor Navas to prevent an equaliser.

Unfortunately for Los Che, they would fail to add to their tally as Madrid fired in two late goals to give the score-line a slightly unfair tilt. Marcelo’s driving run and finish in the 83rd minute was followed up by a brilliantly executed 89th minute strike by Toni Kroos. It was a spirited end to the game for the away side as they showed the kind of composure expected of them.

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It was an encouraging victory for Real Madrid, and one that Zidane will find a lot of positives in for the days ahead. Moreover, a victory over Valencia sends them within one-point of third spot in the La Liga table. With a game in hand, Los Blancos will look to fortify their Champions League berth in the weeks to come, and hopefully build some momentum for the tail-end of the season.

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