The remainder of the league is going to be very long for Madrid, without goals this season and with the recent psychological slab of elimination in the Champions League. In Mestalla, a stadium where he always has a bad time, he was defeated by a Valencia that was rushing his chances of permanence in a match in which the undisputed protagonist was Vinícius, the object of racist insults and who was expelled in addition when in the middle of a tremendous tangana hit Hugo Duro with his hand. The referee, De Burgos Bengoetxea, first took the yellow but after the intervention of the VAR he annulled the yellow and took the red.
The match was a continuous battle, with many episodes of dirty warfare. Vinícius himself and several of the Madrid players went to the bottom line to point out the fan in the stands who had insulted the Brazilian. The game was interrupted for more than ten minutes and lasted almost twenty. The referee threatened to suspend him. From the stands, a ball was also thrown onto the grass to cut off a dangerous play by Madrid, something that the whites have experienced many times at Sadar, although it has not been the case for years.
Ancelotti brought out a team with six changes over Manchester and ran into a very young Valencia that, in addition, was celebrating the centenary of its stadium. Pipo Baraja's team came out to bite from the beginning. More focused on his duties, he played his tricks better and showed once again that football is a state of necessity.
Madrid dominated the ball more, but lacked bite. Benzema hasn't hit the ball for weeks, far from his best performance. Vinícius, the other offensive asset, was immediately lost in his personal battles.
Madrid did not endanger Mamardashvili in said first act. In the 33rd minute, he conceded a goal from a resounding mistake by Mendy, who allowed the field to be eaten by the youth player Diego López, who won the position for him to finish off Courtois at point-blank pleasure. Mendy's game helps those who think that the Frenchman cannot continue at the white club. It is incomprehensible that Florentino Pérez paid 52 million euros for him at the request of Zidane.
Madrid came out somewhat more energetic in the second half against a Valencia planted behind, in favor of the score. Those of Baraja were looking for the counter and had the first chance again in a shot from Diego López, who turned to snack on Mendy, but could not beat Courtois this time.
Madrid, who had removed Camavinga at the break to make way for Rodrygo, took better advantage of Vinícius's attacks. Kroos and Modric entered at the same time, in a completely unusual image. Rodrygo had a couple of good shots and when the tie was looming, the game became mired in racist insults, a monumental brawl and then the expulsion of Vinícius for assaulting Hugo Duro, a former member of La Fábrica.
Madrid had three final chances in added time but Mamardashvili shouldered the team and avoided the tie with three great saves. Madrid came out in a rage, with the entire Mestalla celebrating.
