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Preview: Real Madrid face Corberan’s much-improved Valencia

Preview: Real Madrid face Corberan’s much-improved Valencia

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Real Madrid need three points to maintain their title race pace, but a resurgent Valencia can be hopeful of pulling off a shock.

By Graham Ruthven

Searching for balance

Tuesday’s eight-goal thriller in the Copa del Rey semi-final summed up where Real Madrid are as a team right now. While Los Blancos boast arguably the most fearsome frontline in Europe, their defence always gives opponents a chance. 

The 4-4 draw against Real Sociedad was enough to send Real Madrid through to the Copa final, but there is an unease about the performances being produced by Carlo Ancelotti’s side at the moment.

Real Madrid have scored seven goals over their last two games. They have also conceded six with two of those coming at home to relegation-threatened Leganés last weekend. Even as the champions won 3-2, there were whistles from the Santiago Bernabéu crowd at full time.

This should give Valencia encouragement particularly with Carlos Corberán’s team resurgent. Not so long ago, Valencia looked doomed in LaLiga’s bottom three. Now, they are on a run of two wins in their last three games.

Another positive result in the Spanish capital would edge Valencia further away from danger and ease the fear at Mestalla that the season will end in relegation.

Key players

Kylian Mbappé’s goals are keeping Real Madrid on Barcelona’s tail. The French forward has scored five goals in his last five games and is Los Blancos’ most consistent attacking threat with Vinícius Júnior struggling for his best form.

By contrast, Vinícius hasn’t found the back of the net for Real Madrid since his goal against Rayo Vallecano in early March. The Brazilian winger has cut a frustrated figure in recent matches.

Jude Bellingham has picked up some of the slack, scoring in each of his last two outings. Despite operating in a slightly deeper position this season, the Englishman has still reached double figures in goals for the season.

Diego López scored the winner for Valencia against Mallorca, taking his tally for the season to seven goals. While Valencia have struggled for firepower this season, the 22-year-old wide attacker has certainly contributed.

Umar Sadiq has made an impact since joining on loan from Real Sociedad in January. The match, however, could be decided by the midfield battle with Javi Guerra and Enzo Barrenechea capable of holding their own in the centre.

Team news

Ancelotti could rotate his team after 120 gruelling minutes of Copa del Rey action during the week. Bellingham in particular was running on fumes towards the end of the match and went down with cramp more than once.

Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos are all still sidelined through injury although Thibaut Courtois could return to the lineup after missing the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad with a minor muscular problem.

Thierry Correia is still unavailable for Valencia due to a long-term knee injury with Iván Jaime another player expected to miss the away match against Real Madrid.

However, Hugo Duro could feature after making his return to the Valencia matchday squad for last weekend’s win over Mallorca. The striker might be a good option in attack with his physicality.

Prediction

Valencia will put up a fight, we know that. But even if Ancelotti does choose to rotate, Madrid can’t afford to slip up when title rival Barcelona have won nine league games in a row: Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Real Madrid face Corberan’s much-improved Valencia

Real Madrid need three points to maintain their title race pace, but a resurgent Valencia can be hopeful of pulling off a shock.

By Graham Ruthven

Searching for balance

Tuesday’s eight-goal thriller in the Copa del Rey semi-final summed up where Real Madrid are as a team right now. While Los Blancos boast arguably the most fearsome frontline in Europe, their defence always gives opponents a chance. 

The 4-4 draw against Real Sociedad was enough to send Real Madrid through to the Copa final, but there is an unease about the performances being produced by Carlo Ancelotti’s side at the moment.

Real Madrid have scored seven goals over their last two games. They have also conceded six with two of those coming at home to relegation-threatened Leganés last weekend. Even as the champions won 3-2, there were whistles from the Santiago Bernabéu crowd at full time.

This should give Valencia encouragement particularly with Carlos Corberán’s team resurgent. Not so long ago, Valencia looked doomed in LaLiga’s bottom three. Now, they are on a run of two wins in their last three games.

Another positive result in the Spanish capital would edge Valencia further away from danger and ease the fear at Mestalla that the season will end in relegation.

Key players

Kylian Mbappé’s goals are keeping Real Madrid on Barcelona’s tail. The French forward has scored five goals in his last five games and is Los Blancos’ most consistent attacking threat with Vinícius Júnior struggling for his best form.

By contrast, Vinícius hasn’t found the back of the net for Real Madrid since his goal against Rayo Vallecano in early March. The Brazilian winger has cut a frustrated figure in recent matches.

Jude Bellingham has picked up some of the slack, scoring in each of his last two outings. Despite operating in a slightly deeper position this season, the Englishman has still reached double figures in goals for the season.

Diego López scored the winner for Valencia against Mallorca, taking his tally for the season to seven goals. While Valencia have struggled for firepower this season, the 22-year-old wide attacker has certainly contributed.

Umar Sadiq has made an impact since joining on loan from Real Sociedad in January. The match, however, could be decided by the midfield battle with Javi Guerra and Enzo Barrenechea capable of holding their own in the centre.

Team news

Ancelotti could rotate his team after 120 gruelling minutes of Copa del Rey action during the week. Bellingham in particular was running on fumes towards the end of the match and went down with cramp more than once.

Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos are all still sidelined through injury although Thibaut Courtois could return to the lineup after missing the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad with a minor muscular problem.

Thierry Correia is still unavailable for Valencia due to a long-term knee injury with Iván Jaime another player expected to miss the away match against Real Madrid.

However, Hugo Duro could feature after making his return to the Valencia matchday squad for last weekend’s win over Mallorca. The striker might be a good option in attack with his physicality.

Prediction

Valencia will put up a fight, we know that. But even if Ancelotti does choose to rotate, Madrid can’t afford to slip up when title rival Barcelona have won nine league games in a row: Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.