Real Madrid locked horns with Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium earlier tonight as they looked to pick up maximum points from this away game. Both Spanish clubs struggled to break each other down in the first half and went into the half-time break with a goalless scoreline.
Surprisingly, the home side struck first in this game as Hugo Duro scored in the 69th minute with an excellent finish. However, Vinicius Junior equalized for Los Blancos in the 86th minute with a deflected effort. Just two minutes later, Karim Benzema completed the turnaround for the visitors as he found the back of the net with a good header. The contest ended with Carlo Ancelotti’s men securing a hard-fought 2-1 win on the road.
Let’s take a look at how each Real Madrid player performed during the match against Valencia.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10
The Belgian keeper made a few decent saves to restrict Valencia to just one goal during the 90 minutes.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10
The Spaniard could only last 25 minutes before he had to go off with an injury.
CB: Eder Militao – 6/10
Militao made a couple of crucial interceptions and was not shy of putting his foot through the ball when needed. He was also accurate with his passing.
CB: David Alaba – 7/10
Alaba made plenty of important clearances at the back and won the ball back a couple of times for his team. He even created one good chance in the final third.
LB: Nacho – 6.5/10
The Spaniard kept a good defensive shape inside his half but could only create one good chance in the entire game. Ancelotti would want more from him offensively.
RM: Federico Valverde – 6.5/10
He anchored the midfield well and was quite lively in the Valencia half. He got replaced in the 77th minute.
CM: Casemiro – 7/10
The Brazilian cleared his lines when needed and was a constant threat going forward. However, he could only last 66 minutes.
CM: Luka Modric – 6/10
Modric was a bit slow to the ball at times and struggled to create too many meaningful openings in the final third. It was an uninspiring performance from him tonight.
LM: Vinicius Junior – 8/10
The Brazilian sensation scored the all-important equalizer via a deflected strike. He then turned from scorer to provider and set up Benzema’s match-winning goal.
CAM: Eden Hazard – 7/10
Hazard looked like he is slowly getting back to his best. The Belgian created a lot of chances for others around him and made some exciting runs with the ball towards the Valencia penalty box.
ST: Karim Benzema – 8/10
The Frenchman kept trying and finally managed to get himself a goal in the 88th minute which ensured all three points for Los Blancos. He also set up Vinicius Junior’s equalizer.
Substitutes:
RB: Lucas Vazquez – 7/10
Vazquez had to come on midway through the first half and mostly gave a good account of himself at both ends of the pitch.
RM: Rodrygo – 6/10
He hardly got a sniff at goal.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 6.5/10
The youngster made a couple of decent runs with the ball.
CM: Isco – 6/10
He hardly got into the flow of the game.
ST: Luka Jovic – 6/10
Jovic struggled to get himself involved in the final third.
