Real Madrid vs Valencia – Important Fixture on Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Real Madrid: How They’re Playing Now and Their Game Plan

Madrid has shown steady form throughout the season under Carlo Ancelotti’s skilled leadership. They now hold second place in La Liga with 63 points just three behind Barcelona. The team has put in good performances winning their last three league games, including a tough 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad.

Ancelotti’s game plan aims to strike a balance between strong defense and powerful attack. The team often switches between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations giving them room to control the midfield and move forward . This ability to adapt has helped them keep the ball and create chances to score.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Real Madrid’s attack shows its power through its energetic front line, with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and the new arrival Kylian Mbappé. Vinícius Júnior’s speed and ability to dribble keep defenders on their toes, while Mbappé’s precise goal-scoring has brought something fresh to their offense. The midfield three made up of Luka Modrić, Federico Valverde, and Aurelien Tchouameni, brings together creativity hard work, and defensive support.

Real Madrid is grappling with issues in their defensive lineup when it comes to the goalkeeper spot. Thibaut Courtois is out with an injury, and Andriy Lunin has just bounced back from a calf problem creating confusion about who will guard the net. Bringing in young keeper Fran González might be a mixed bag – he’d bring new talent but lacks experience in big games.

Key Players

• Vinícius Júnior: His quick moves and skill to beat defenders make him key to Real Madrid’s attack plans.​
• Kylian Mbappé: Famous for his quick pace and knack for scoring goals, Mbappé has fit right into the team, boosting their attack power.​
• Luka Modrić: The seasoned midfielder’s ability to see plays and pass with precision keeps playing a crucial role in directing the game from midfield.​

Valencia CF: Current Form and Tactical Overview

Valencia, with Carlos Corberán at the helm, has gone through a season with ups and downs. They sit at 12th place in the league table with 31 points hoping to move away from the bottom and finish in the top half. Their latest games show they’re holding their own, with a 1-1 tie against Athletic Bilbao and a 2-0 win over Getafe.

Corberán sets up his team to defend , soak up pressure, and strike back fast. This game plan works well against teams that keep the ball a lot, but it needs everyone to stick to their jobs and switch from defense to attack .

Strengths and Weaknesses

Valencia’s main strength is their well-organized defense and their ability to disrupt attacking teams’ rhythm. Their midfielders excel at pressing and winning back possession, which leads to quick counter-attacks.

On the other hand, their offensive output has been hit-or-miss. Their dependence on a few key players for goals has made them easy to predict at times, and they’ve struggled to break down well-structured defenses. Also, their performance against top-tier teams hasn’t been great, with several losses to clubs in the top seven spots.

Key Players

• Hugo Duro: This forward has a knack for finding open spaces and scoring goals. He plays a key role in Valencia’s attack.​
• José Gayà: As captain and left-back, Gayà shores up the defense and joins the attack with his runs down the flank and crosses into the box.​
• Carlos Soler: From his midfield position, Soler uses his vision to create chances. His skill at set-pieces gives the team an extra edge.​

Real Madrid vs Valencia – Recent Encounters and Historical Context

Real Madrid has a strong track record against Valencia. Looking at their past 60 games, Real Madrid won 34 times, Valencia won 12 times, and they tied 14 times. Real Madrid has scored at least two goals in 12 of their last 13 home games against Valencia. This shows how good Real Madrid is at scoring when they play Valencia at home.

The last time they played was on January 3, 2025, at the Mestalla Stadium. Real Madrid won 2-1, which shows they still have the upper hand when they play each other.