Los Blancos’ Matchday 9 adventure at Mestalla Stadium has ended in the worst possible manner. Zidane’s side were on the receiving end of a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Valencia.
After Real Madrid took the lead in the first half from a stunning Karim Benzema shot from distance, everything seemed to go downhill for Sergio Ramos & Co. The visitors shipped four goals to Valencia after getting on the scoresheet first, and there was no return from there.
The absence of Casemiro, in particular, was felt as Real gave away four goals. The Brazilian, along with Eden Hazard, had tested positive for the Coronavirus prior to the game and were not even a part of the squad.
In rather bizarre fashion, each of Real Madrid’s backline members made a mistake for the four goals conceded by the Whites earlier tonight. Vasquez, Marcelo and Sergio Ramos were all guilty of infringements inside the box and giving away a penalty. Varane seemed to have other plans and scored a shocking own goal.
Carlos Soler was able to tuck three penalties past Courtois and scored a hattrick against this highly-rated Real Madrid defence. VAR was called into action on a couple of times, and it only added to Real’s misery each time. Here’s how the Real Madrid players were rated from their trip to Valencia.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10
Made a few decent saves during open play but failed to save any of Carlos Soler’s penalties. Courtois would be absolutely gutted with his performance.
RB: Lucas Vasquez – 5/10
The Spaniard conceded a penalty that led to Valencia’s equaliser and was constantly caught napping in defence. The absence of Dani Carvajal was certainly felt on the night.
CB: Raphael Varane – 6/10
An absolute howler from Varane in the first half enabled Valencia to take the lead just at the brink of half-time. Varane had a night to forget at Mestalla altogether.
CB: Sergio Ramos – 6/10
The captain also gave away a soft penalty after being held guilty of handling the ball inside the penalty area. Ramos was also cautioned by the referee for his lousy attitude.
LB: Marcelo – 6/10
Amongst the better performers in defence, but also a night to forget for Marcelo. The Brazilian conceded a penalty which allowed Valencia to get a two-goal cushion over Zidane’s men.
CM: Federico Valverede – 7/10
A satisfactory performance from Valverde. The Uruguayan was amongst the top performers for Real Madrid in this embarrassing defeat at Valencia.
CM: Luka Modric – 7/10
The Croatian failed to take a grip of the game from midfield as he usually does. The same reflected in Real’s overall performance in this fixture.
RW: Marco Asensio – 7/10
Marco had a rather tame evening by his standards and was well marked by Jose Luis Gaya at all times down the right-hand side.
CAM: Isco – 7/10
Isco was handed a huge opportunity by Zidane with a fixture of this magnitude but failed to make the most out of it.
LW: Vinicius Jr – 6/10
The Brazilian youngster did not inflict much pain down the left-hand side and was taken off in the second half. A lot more was expected from Vinicius on the night after being given a chance in the absence of Hazard, and he failed to deliver.
ST: Karim Benzema – 7/10
Opened the scoring for Zidane & Co. in the first half. Post which, it was only one-way traffic in terms of goals and Benzema was subbed off in the second half. The Frenchman was holding onto his inner thigh as he hobbled off the pitch.
Substitutes
RW: Martin Odegaard – 7/10
The midfielder put on a decent show post coming on to the field of play after a month-long injury lay-off. One of the positives for Los Blancos to take home from this tie.
LW: Rodrygo – 6/10
Failed to have an impact on the game post his introduction, but seemed extremely lively during his second-half stint.
ST: Mariano – 6/10
The lanky striker had a clear shot at goal but failed to test Valencia goalie, Domenech.
CM: Toni Kroos – 5/10
Did not have much involvement with play post coming on.
ST: Luka Jovic – 5/10
Did not have much involvement with play post coming on.
