The rest of the league in Madrid will be very long for him, without goals this season and with the recent psychological blow of elimination in the Champions League against City. In Mestalla, a stadium where he always has a bad time, he was defeated by a Valencia that was exhausting its chances of staying in a match in which the undisputed protagonist was Vinícius, the object of racist insults and who was sent off in added time when in the middle of a big fight he hit Hugo Duro with his hand. The referee, De Burgos Bengoetxea, showed him the yellow first, but after the intervention of the VAR, he overturned the yellow and showed him the red.
The match was a continuous battle, with many episodes of dirty warfare. Vinícius himself and several Madrid players went to the end line to point out the fan in the stands who had insulted the Brazilian, specifically making the monkey gesture. The match was interrupted for more than ten minutes and extended for almost twenty minutes. The referee threatened to suspend him. From the loudspeakers of Mestalla it was requested that no objects be thrown. The police took away the designated follower.
From the stands, a ball was also thrown onto the grass to cut off a Real Madrid danger play, something that the whites have experienced many times at the Sadar, although such episodes have not happened for years.
Ancelotti fielded a team with six changes compared to Manchester and ran into a very young Valencia who were also celebrating the centenary of their stadium. Pipo Baraja's team came out to bite from the start. More focused on his duties, he played his cards better and proved once again that football is a state of necessity. The win is a near-definitive step towards saving the category, something that seemed very difficult just a few weeks ago.
Madrid dominated more of the ball, but lacked drive. Benzema hasn't hit a single one for weeks, far from his best performances. Vinícius, the other offensive card, was immediately lost in his personal battles. In the second half he was a little more focused until he ended up completely upset with the racist shouts and in the batussa he caused his expulsion by assaulting Hugo Duro, a former member of the Castilla youth team.
Madrid did not put Mamardashvili in danger during the first half. In the 33rd minute, he conceded a goal in a glaring mistake by Mendy, who allowed the youngster Diego López to gain ground so that he finished with pleasure. Ferland Mendy's game helps those who think the Frenchman cannot continue at the white club. It is incomprehensible that the Whites paid 52 million for him at the request of Zidane.
Madrid came out a little more energetic in the second half against a Valencia well planted back, in favor of the score. The Barajas were looking for the counter and had the first chance again in a shot from Diego López, who again ate Mendy, but who could not overcome Courtois this time.
Madrid, who had taken Camavinga off at half-time to make way for Rodrygo, took a little more advantage of Vinícius' internings and the tie began to be felt. Kroos and Modric entered at the same time, in a completely unusual image. Rodrygo had a couple of good shots, but when Madrid were at their best the match was muddied by racist insults, the monumental beating and then the expulsion.
In addition, three great saves by the goalkeeper Mamardashvili prevented the tie from being consumed.
