Real Madrid – Valencia: Real Prepare To Defend Another Crown (1-1, 4-3 After Penalties)

The holders were not seamless in their work against Valencia in this game. Yet, their display offered enough signs for Carlo Ancelotti to be quietly confident ahead of the weekend’s final.
Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

Tumult continues to reign on the southeastern coast of Spain. Gennaro Gattuso is the fifth man to act as the permanent manager of Valencia since the summer of 2019: the last time the club booked a spot in the top four in LaLiga. The exits of Carlos Soler and Gonçalo Guedes were the latest in a list telling of the loss of talent at a time when cups have been their sole respite. Copa del Rey glory narrowly eluded them at the end of the last campaign, but Supercopa silverware might still fall in their lap.

Regal opponents stood in their way. Real Madrid traveled to Saudi Arabia as the holders, having defeated Athletic Club 2-0 in the final last year. Carlo Ancelotti's men, who are ever in the mood to win trophies, are now gearing up for the backend of the season. Trust in his troops to be in the right frame of mind on the grand stage has grown over time, so would they return to winning ways?

Ancelotti freshened up, putting four new men into the starting eleven. Dani Carvajal was back in the squad, but David . . .