Real Madrid puffs out its chest against a Valencia that does not raise its head

Real Madrid puffs out its chest against a Valencia that does not raise its head

Asensio and Vinicius allow to follow the trail of Barcelona in a clash with controversy and the injuries of Militao and Benzema

MADRID, 2 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid defeated Valencia (2-0) this Thursday in the duel corresponding to matchday 17 of LaLiga Santander -postponed by the Spanish Super Cup-, after an offensive display at the beginning of the second half that allows them to continue in the wake of of FC Barcelona, ​​against a 'che' group, now without Gattuso, who does not raise his head.

Carlo Ancelotti's pupils were too much of a rival for a Valencia that could only hold on in the first half. The goals from Asensio and Vinicius in just five minutes finished off a match that ended with the expulsion of Paulista for a strong tackle on the Brazilian player.

The arrival of Voro, who is facing his eighth spell on the Valencian bench, was not enough to redirect the course of a team that will continue flirting with relegation for another week. The white team thus achieved a key victory in their league aspirations, placing themselves five points behind the current leader, FC Barcelona, ​​although they regretted the injuries to Militao and Benzema, they would be doubts for a month of February full of games.

At the Santiago Bernabéu, the initial dominance of the madridistas did not take long to change on occasions. Asensio tried as soon as he started with a cross shot that Mamardashvili saved, shortly after threatening the rival goal again with a shot that ended up repelled by Paulista, who went with everything to the ground, after picking up a spectacular backheel from Benzema inside the area.

Although Valencia did not give up in their efforts to play the game with some timid approach from Samuel Lino's wing, the control of the ball imposed by the Madrid midfield, with Modric, Kroos and Ceballos, was too much for a Valencia that almost He is left with one less due to Castillejo's stomp on Camavinga, which Alberola Rojas did not consider expulsion after reviewing it in the VAR.

Thus, Asensio again had another clear one in the small area and although Rüdiger found the prize of the goal at the end of the first half with a header from a corner, the referee decided to annul it, prior notice from the VAR, due to a previous foul of Benzema on Musah. The lack of success ended up decanting a first half that also left Militao injured.

After the restart he changed the script completely on the pitch. Carlo Ancelotti's men went out for the goal, bottling at times a very sunken Valencia in their own half. Thus, the Whites ended up finding the goal five minutes into the second half with an extraordinary strike from Asensio from the edge of the area, with which he avenged his mistakes at the start.

The goal unleashed the white gale, which on the next play hit Valencia again when it was still recovering from the first. This time Vinicius started on the left flank with a drive with which he beat Gabriel Paulista, ending with a shot just past Mamardashvili's long post. Although Benzema had the third soon after, bad luck overtook the French striker, who had to be replaced due to some discomfort.

The match finally broke down at 72' when Gabriel Paulista, once again the protagonist, was sent off for a mistimed kick on Vinicius. From then on, the dominance of the madridistas was absolute with Rodrygo and Vinicius himself generating constant danger over the rival area. Although the marker did not move again, the numerical inferiority condemned a 'che' team that had to defend itself tooth and nail in the final minutes.

--RESULT: REAL MADRID, 2 - VALENCIA, 0. (0-0, at halftime).

REAL MADRID: Courtois; Nacho, Militao (Carvajal, min.36), Rüdiger, Camavinga; Modric (Fede Valverde, min.66), Kroos (Tchouameni, min.67), Ceballos; Asensio, Benzema (Rodrygo, min.60) and Vinicius.

VALENCIA: Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Diakhaby, Paulista, Gayà; Guillamón, Almeida (Moriva, min.70), Musah (Comert, min.75); Castillejo (Marcos André, min.59), Cavani (Pérez, min.75) and Lino (Lato, min.70).

1 - 0, min.52, Asensio.

2 - 0, min.55, Vinicius.

--REFEREE: Alberola Rojas (C. Castellano-La Mancha). He admonished Nacho (min.33) and Asensio (min.62) for Real Madrid, and Diakhaby (min.60). He sent off Gabriel Paulista (min.72) for a direct red card.

--Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. 51,926 viewers.