Too Litle too late: Valencia serves Zidane’s new Madrid first defeat

Iconic ex-footballer now Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane dropped Gareth Bale and endured his first defeat since returning to Real Madrid as his side were deservedly beaten 2-1 by Valencia’s resurgence on Wednesday.

The last time Zidane left Bale on the bench, the Welshman proved a spectacular substitute against Liverpool in the Champions League final 10 months ago but there was to be no rescue act at Mestalla.

Instead, Valencia surged to a convincing victory, Goncalo Guedes and Ezequiel Garay scoring in each half to leave Marcelino’s team within a point of La Liga’s top four. Karim Benzema headed in a late consolation in injury-time.

“We lacked a bit of spark up front,” Zidane said. “I am not going to criticise my players. They have tried and we played a good team. But losing always hurts. After a miserable start to the season, Valencia could yet enjoy a barnstorming finish.

via GIPHY

Champions League qualification is now within touching distance while a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona and Europa League last 16 tie against Villarreal still await.

“The game played out how we hoped,” said Marcelino. “It was a complete performance.”

For Zidane, after two opening victories, this was perhaps something of a reality check, even if Madrid’s reappointed coach has insisted he is under no illusions regarding the task ahead.

They now trail leaders Barcelona by 13 points, the exact same margin they were behind the Catalans under Zidane at this stage last season.

This was reminiscent too of the limp displays that have undone Madrid in recent months, blunt in the final third, overly-generous in defence and bereft of either snap or spark in midfield.

Bale had started each of Zidane’s first two games, offering hope there might yet be a future for him in the new era, but his relegation to the bench suggests the Frenchman’s old doubts may linger.

Madrid had barely featured as Bale came on for Marco Asensio in the 64th minute, along with Isco, who replaced the quiet Toni Kroos.

Bale might have had an equaliser shortly after had it not been for Dani Parejo’s sliding block and then the he sent a sumptous pass to the far post, but it was cleared away from the waiting Benzema.

If Madrid were more threatening they might have capitalised but there was no counter and instead victory was secured when Garay headed in Parejo’s cross with seven minutes left.

Sergio Ramos had a late penalty taken off him, ruled out by VAR, before Benzema nodded in a consolation in added time. It was too little too late.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *