MATCH REPORT: Valencia CF fall to defeat in Madrid

Valencia CF fell to a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid in a rescheduled LaLiga Matchday 17 fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu. Two goals conceded in the second half proved decisive for the reigning champions.

The team had experienced a change in the dugout during the week, with Voro replacing Gennaro Gattuso as coach.

The first half was closely contested, as Valencia CF looked solid defensively, matched the opposition's intensity in each duel and tried to take advantage of counters in the same style as in the Spanish Supercopa match played in Saudi Arabia just a few weeks prior.

Mamardashvili made a great save in the early going, after Modric had played Asensio through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Gabriel Paulista also repelled a shot from Asensio in the 18th minute.

Real Madrid would lose Eder Militao after half an hour, as he suffered from some discomfort after a tough challenge on Samuel Lino. Just before the break one of the key moves of the match took place, as a goal for Los Blancos was disallowed for a foul in the buildup to Rudiger putting the ball into the net.

Valencia CF came out swinging in the second half, but Real Madrid managed to take the lead on 51 minutes with a shot by Asensio and, two minutes later, Vinícius Jr made it 2-0.

After the double setback, Yunus Musah had a strike go just over the top, and later on Marcos André tried an acrobatic shot that was also off target.

With 20 minutes remaining, Valencia CF went a man down due to the sending off of Gabriel Paulista, and the score remained the same through to the final whistle.

Valencia CF will next play on Sunday against Girona FC, in a 4:15pm local time kickoff.

MATCH STATS

REAL MADRID: Courtois, Nacho Fernández, Militao (Carvajal, 36’), Rüdiger, Camavinga, Modric (Valverde, 66’), Kroos (Tchoumeni, 66’), Ceballos, Asensio, Vinícius Jr. and Benzema (Rodrygo, 60’).

VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Gayà, Hugo Guillamón, Yunus Musah (Cömert, 75’), André Almeida (Ilaix Moriba, 70’), Samu Castillejo (Marcos André, 58’), Samuel Lino (Lato, 70’) and Cavani (Fran Pérez, 75’).

GOALS: 1-0 Asensio, 52’; 2-0 Vinícius Jr. 54’.

REFEREE: Alberola Rojas. Yellow cards for Nacho Fernández, Benzema, Diakhaby, Asensio. Straight red for Gabriel Paulista.