Real Madrid blew a good lead on La Liga yesterday. Real Madrid vs Valencia played as nobody expected it too. Valencia struck twice in the first 8 minutes. The two goals put pressure on Real Madrid who looked lost on the field. Real Madrid had a two games in hand and could have utilized it to open a good lead in points over second placed Barcelona. But with defeat at the hands of Valencia, The race for La Liga title remains anybody’s game.
Valencia used a 4-2-3-1 offense with Simone Zaza playing centre forward. Meanwhile, Real Madrid utilized a 4-3-3 offense. Columbia’s James Rodriguez started the game even when Zidane had a healthy Gareth Bale. Rodriguez played on the forward line with Benzema and Ronaldo.
Valencia immediately went on offense. Goalie Diego Alves passed the ball down the right side. Munir El Haddadi crossed the ball right into a waiting Simone Zaza’s feet. Even though Zaza had his back to the goal but turned around and placed the ball perfectly past Navas in the 4th minute of the game. The goal sent the fans in to a tizzy and shocked the entire Madrid team. Valencia still weren’t done. Madrid defender Raphael Varane got the ball stolen by Valencia. Valencia immediately went on offense with Real Madrid’s defense chasing. Midfielder Nani fed the ball to a wide open Fabian Orellano. Orellano did not dissapoint and easily put the ball past Navas. With Orellano’s goal Real Madrid trailed underdogs Valencia 2-0.
Fast paced attacks by Valencia caught Madrid defense unaware.
After falling behind 2-0, Real Madrid mounted some offense on Valencia. Ronaldo tested Valencia keeper Alves with a couple of shots at the goal. Alves had no problem in protecting the goal against Ronaldo’s shots. Benzema also tested Alves with a beautiful strike from outside the box which forced Alves to make a diving save. Even Valencia had a free kick saved by a Navas.
Real Madrid finally pulled one back. Marcelo sent a absolutely beautiful floater in to the box. Ronaldo rose higher than anyone else and headed the ball right past Alves to make the score 2-1.
The second half remained uneventful as urgency set into Real Madrid to score. Zidane brought in Gareth Bale in place of Rodriguez. Real Madrid had a couple of chances and came close but failed to tie the score.
In the end Valencia beat Real Madrid for only the second time in last 15 matches. The fast paced attack caught the Madrid defense unaware leading to two quick goals by Valencia. Nonetheless the race for La Liga title remains wide open.
