Valencia – Real Madrid: Los Blancos Break The Mestalla Curse (0-2)

Real Madrid passed the Mestalla test successfully, thanks to Alvaro Carreras brilliant individual effort and Mbappé's tap-in. Central combinations and wide connections paved the road for Los Blancos to infiltrate the box. Nevertheless, Valencia exploited Real Madrid's out-of-possession phase problems, which seemed to have no end in sight. However, Corberan's men were short of solutions in the final third. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri.

After the defeat against Benfica, Alvaro Arbeloa's team was welcomed with boos during their home win against Rayo Vallecano. The fans aren't happy with the team playing the UCL play-offs in particular for the second year in a row and the drop in form in general that led to the elimination from the Copa Del Rey. Heading to Mestalla, the Real Madrid squad was depleted by injuries and absences. Vinicius Junior served his suspension due to yellow card accumulation, whereas Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo were out due to injuries.

In contrast, Valencia headed to the clash in survival mode against the relegation battle. Positioned sixteenth, just one point above the relegation zone, Carlos Corberán’s side was desperate to continue their formidable streak at Mestalla, having remained unbeaten at home for six consecutive games before the Real Madrid game. Not only that, but Valencia entered the match with the hope of keeping their brilliant home record against Los Blancos alive, as Real Madrid was able to come out victorious at Mestalla only on three occasions in the last eleven years.

Carlos Corberán started with a 4-4-2 formation on . . .