Real Madrid going up against Valencia has always been an entertaining tie in La Liga. The upcoming fixture which sees Los Blancos host a terribly under-performing Valencia could prove to be a low-key affair.
Nacho Fernandez and Alvaro Odriozola will be missing the game for the hosts due to injuries while it’s unlikely that Casemiro will be rushed back so he too could miss the game.
Los Murcielagos will be without the services of World Cup superstar Denis Cheryshev and Rodrigo Moreni could also miss this key fixture.
We take a look at some of the talking points ahead of the big game.
LOW-KEY AFFAIR
Madrid and Valencia are not derby rivals and don’t share a historical rivalry but whenever the two teams face each other, there’s absolutely no love lost. The last six encounters between the two saw Los Blancos come out on top thrice and succumb to a defeat just once.
Regardless of their form, Valencia always tend to bring out their A-game against the top guns of La Liga. Madrid will have to be wary of the visitors who have won just three out of the 13 games this season, a run that would’ve looked a lot worse if not for their wins in the last two games.
The European champions have had their own share of troubles. Having lost four of their last six games in the league, Madrid will be looking for a confidence-booster and a win against a team like Valencia could provide that.
All said, it’s clear that the two teams have enjoyed better days and there is a possibility that this game fails to live up to its expectations and result in a pallid draw.
Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema (C) vies with Valencia’s Argentinian defender Ezequiel Garay (R)
REAL MADRID’S PLAN B: ISCO
Santiago Solari’s system of having no number 10 in attacking midfield and opting to play Marco Asensio out wide instead has ostracised Isco from the starting line-up.
Quality-wise, the midfielder is on par with if not superior to most of the players starting for Los Blancos and has the traits to be a protagonist in a viable system.
For once, Solari must consider tweaking his formation and playing style to accommodate the former Malaga man.
With the club still in a tough spot after a poor start to the league season, there’s not much to lose if this does not work out but if Isco does step up in a system designed around him, Solari may find the key to unlock to Madrid’s true potential going forward.
Isco
GUEDES NEEDS TO LIVE UP TO THE PROMISE
Five goals and nine assists and the role of a talisman leading your team to challenge for the title, Goncalo Guedes enjoyed a promising debut season with Valencia.
The 22-year-old’s performances earned him a permanent transfer from Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia were prepared to shell out £36 million for the youngster.
Of what we’ve seen in the first quarter of this season, the Portuguese has failed to justify the faith his team had in him having scored zero goals and provided just one assist so far.
This will be Daniel Carvajal’s first league start since his return from injury and Guedes will have to do everything to unsettle the Spaniard. Luka Modric and Gareth Bale – who have had disastrous starts to their seasons – will be playing on the same side as that of the Portuguese.
The situation is most opportune for Guedes to step up and help his team climb up in the league table. The Portuguese has to relaunch his campaign as one of the best young talents and there’s no better chance than this one to reclaim his reputation.
Guedes enjoyed needs to lead from the front
