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Real Madrid travel to Valencia for an interesting week of La Liga matches with the four best teams against a team that has a good chance of beating them.
Real Madrid currently occupies the second position in the La Liga table, with Real Sociedad above them by just one point. The Whites have one game less due to their late start due to their participation in the Champions League last season. Real Madrid hope to continue their good form in La Liga with a victory at Mestalla, and their last victory at Mestalla will come in 2018.
For Real Madrid, both Casemiro and Eden Hazard will be out, and the duo tested positive for COVID-19. This is a blow for Real, especially with Hazard, as he seemed to be getting into the rhythm of the game and helping with the team’s offensive problems. Valencia has historically been a difficult team to beat, especially at Mestalla. That being said, Valencia is in trouble having sold out several of their key players and brought no replacements for them and their results have reflected that.
Los Blancos are expected to take care of things and win all three points. Here are three keys to the victory of Real Madrid vs. Valencia:
Starting with intensity
One of Real Madrid’s problems this season has been the slowness with which the games start. This Real Madrid habit of starting slowly is what it cost them in the Champions League in the first two games. His performance in the second half is always much better than his performance in the first half. Real have conceded just once in the second half of La Liga this season, showing how Madrid increases their concentration in the second half.
Against Valencia, Los Blancos cannot afford to be lax at any point during the match. Valencia is a team that is always motivated to play against Madrid and regardless of their problems this season, they will undoubtedly put on a great performance. If Madrid don’t start with the right intensity, they could end up doing too much in the second half and then lose points.
Luka modric
Luka Modric has been in brilliant form for Real Madrid this season. His appearances from the bench have turned the whites’ games upside down on several occasions and he has really assumed the role of super substitute. But with Fede Valverde having started five games in a row and Casemiro testing positive for COVID-19, it’s time for Modric to start.
Without Casemiro, all midfielders will have to work much harder on defense to cover up the absence of a DM. And if Zinedine Zidane decides to go with a double pivot as against Real Sociedad, the most likely is that it will be Modric and one of Kroos / Valverde. With Modric all fresh, there will be additional responsibility on him to cover any defensive holes that arise in midfield.
It will be up to Modric to make sure Madrid dominate the midfield battle.
Vinicius Jr.
Since Eden Hazard’s return, Vinicius has limited himself to bench appearances and has impressed in those appearances. With Hazard out of the game, Vinicius will likely return to his starting job.
Los Blancos will need the Brazilian teenager to be at his best, both in creating chances and in finalizing the opportunities that he or his teammates create if they want to take three points from Mestalla. Madrid’s offense has failed all season and Vinicius will be key so that it does not happen against Valencia. Vinicius will also have fewer minutes as long as Hazard is fit, and that means he has to take opportunities like these with both hands.
Real Madrid will be looking to get the three points out of Mestalla and make sure they stay within a short distance of the first position.
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