Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia
It was far from vintage, it wasn’t even pretty, but Real Madrid won’t care one jot.
They are up to fifth in La Liga and, more importantly, back to winning ways after their shock setback seven days ago.
While I certainly won’t be backing them to regain domestic supremacy this season, SBOBET fans may fancy a punt when they look at their La Liga 2018 betting odds.
After all, they are now only three points off the leaders (albeit the top three all have a game in hand).
Highlights of the game
Real’s fine midweek win in Rome in the Champions League had put them in good spirits and they were on course for a sixth win in Santiago Solari’s seven matches in charge as early as the eighth minute.
It was a mistake which will likely feature in the La Liga 2018 highlights compilation package and one which visiting defender Daniel Wass would sooner forget.
Dani Carvajal’s drilled delivery wasn’t particularly dangerous but Wass misjudged his header and sent it flying into his own net.
Real led before having an effort on target which came on the quarter of an hour mark when Gareth Bale tested Neto from outside the box.
Valencia were on the backfoot but managed to muster a first effort through Kevin Gameiro, in for the injured Rodrigo, although it was soon back to the hosts attacking as Bale tested Neto again.
Despite seeming their most likely goal threat, Bale was clearly the subject of discontent among some home fans and it would get worse in the 63rd minute as he had to leave the pitch injured and received a few whistles (he wasn’t the only one) – how they have short memories!
By that time Valencia should have been level but, after showing excellent control, Santi Mina blazed his shot high and wide with only goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to beat.
Valencia were enjoying their best spell of the match and Gabriel Paulista volleyed wide as thoughts briefly turned to an equaliser.
It should have been two when substitute Marco Asensio, on for Bale, saw his shot blocked on the line by Cristiano Piccini with Neto beaten.
The home crowd were lifted 10 minutes from time when Isco, who has reportedly fallen out with Solari, entered the fray and, within minutes, he saw the game made safe.
The impressive Carvajal, Asensio and Karim Benzema teamed up well and Lucas Vazquez finished off the move, the goal confirmed with the help of VAR.
It was his first goal of the campaign.
There is no doubt, Isco remains a popular figure among Real players and the home faithful, judging by the post-match comments of Carvajal.
Missing Marcelo and Toni Kroos, youngsters Marcos Llorente and Sergio Reguilon made the most of their chance, as did Dani Ceballos to signal a decent night’s work for Solari.
They may lack the depth they had of two seasons ago when Zinedine Zidane guided them to a La Liga and Champions League double, but bringing Isco back into the fold alongside Kroos and Marcelo could make a big difference to Real’s season which may not be about to implode as some felt little over a month ago.
Key statistics
Since moving to La Liga in 2015, Wass is the only player to have scored three own goals.
Bale has now failed to score in his last 10 La Liga matches (793 minutes) – the worst run in his Spanish top flight career since he joined Real in 2013.
Vazquez has now been on target in each of the last four Spanish top-flight seasons. This was his second goal in five days.
Home skipper Sergio Ramos has now played 405 times for the club – making him the ninth leading appearance maker in the club’s history.
Real Madrid have now kept five clean sheets in their last seven matches which is as many as they managed in their previous 26 matches (in all competitions).
What’s next?
Los Blancos will return to home turf on Thursday against UD Melilla in the Copa del Rey.
They then travel to newly promoted Huesca before completing their Champions League group stage with a home tie against already eliminated CSKA Moscow.
Valencia are also in Copa del Rey action pretty quickly. They face CD Ebro on Tuesday (December 4) with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg before entertaining Sevilla in another big La Liga clash next weekend.
They then round off their Champions League campaign (they can’t qualify for the knockout stages) by welcoming English giants Manchester United to the Mestalla.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
