The LaLiga race heated up as Real Madrid drew with Barcelona
Real Madrid are breathing down Barcelona’s neck in the LaLiga title race after cruising to a 3-0 win over Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday 7 November. Jose Mourinho’s side have moved level with their arch-rivals on 30 points, although Barcelona remain top of the table on goal difference with a game in hand.
Barcelona face Atlético Madrid in their next game on Sunday, November 8 in a potentially crucial title clash. Atlético, currently third with 28 points, could leapfrog both of their rivals with a victory and increase the pressure on Barcelona even more.
Real, meanwhile, have made it eight consecutive wins across competitions, following on from an impressive El Clasico win at the Camp Nou two weeks ago. Federico Valverde, Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe were on target as the visitors produced another confident performance.
GULER, MBAPPE SHINE
When Vinicius Jr. serving the final game of his four-match ban, Mourinho again deployed Yano Diomande in attack alongside Mbappe. Guler, Jude Bellingham and Bernardo Silva featured in the attacking midfield positions, while captain Valverde continued at right-back.
Real Madrid took control of the match midway through the first half. Valverde opened the scoring in the 28th minute, reacting to a rebound after Mbappe’s free-kick was cleared by Valencia’s defence. The Uruguayan midfielder unleashed a powerful strike from the outside as he found the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.
Just eight minutes later, the advantage was doubled. Bellingham’s cross from the right found Guler inside the penalty area, with the Turkish midfielder finishing first time from close range to put Real in a commanding position before half-time.
Valencia struggled to contain the visitors and often resorted to physical challenges to disrupt their attacking rhythm. However, Real continued to create opportunities and finally found their third goal in the 75th minute.
This time, Guler turned to the provider and set up Mbappe with a smart pass into the box. The French forward rounded the onrushing goalkeeper before calmly tapping the ball into an empty net.
The night got worse for Valencia five minutes later when captain Jose Gaya was sent off for a foul on Mbappe, who was charging towards goal. The home side were reduced to 10 men as Real comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
VALENCIA’S HOME STRUGGLES CONTINUE
The defeat left Valencia in the relegation zone, second in the LaLiga table with just nine points from 12 games. They have only managed two wins in the league this season and are yet to win a home game.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, will go into the international break with momentum firmly on their side. Their eighth win in a row took them level with Barcelona, so the Catalans’ clash with Atlético Madrid on Sunday has significant implications for the top of the table.
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