Current La Liga champions Real Madrid lost 4-1 to Valencia CF at the Mestalla. Valencia was awarded three penalties in the game.

Real Madrid was dominating the game in the beginning and Karim Benzema scored the game’s first goal assisted by Marcelo. Shortly after, Valencia was awarded the first penalty after a handball by Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez. Valencia’s Carlos Soler scored the penalty. 

Towards the end of the first half, Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane scored an own goal to give Valencia an advantage in the game. In the second half, Valencia looked stronger and was awarded a second penalty after Valencia’s Maxi Gomez was fouled by Real Madrid’s Marcelo and the penalty was scored again by Soler.

Shortly afterward, Valencia was awarded a third penalty after another handball by Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos. Soler took his side’s third penalty and scored his third goal of the night. 

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Real Madrid created chances to revive its chances of drawing or winning the game, but the Los Blancos were unable to score. Head coach Zidane even brought on forwards Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz to increase the attacking intensity, but neither made the difference. 

Real Madrid’s defensive fails cost them the game. Both Varane and Ramos made very costly mistakes. Brazilian defender Eder Militao is still recovering from COVID-19 and therefore was not available to play. Right-winger Vazquez and left-back Marcelo also had a bad game. 

Fede Valverde’s injury in the game was also a big blow to Real Madrid as the player could be out for a while. The Uruguayan star is one of Real Madrid’s most promising young players. 

After the match, Zidane said, “The fault is mine because I am the coach and I have to find the solution. I can’t justify what happened. It’s a bad day, there are no excuses. We must improve defensively.”

Real Madrid is scheduled to face Villareal on Nov. 21.

 

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Nour Safwat

Article by Nour Safwat

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