Real Madrid v Valencia Live Commentary & Result, 2/2/23, Primera División

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	BAR Barcelona	26	22	2	2	49	9	+40	68	W W W L W
2	RMA Real Madrid	26	17	5	4	51	21	+30	56	L W D D W
3	ATM Atlético Madrid	26	15	6	5	42	19	+23	51	W W W D W
4	RSO Real Sociedad	26	14	6	6	35	24	+11	48	W D D L D
5	BET Real Betis	26	13	6	7	34	26	+8	45	W D D W W
6	VIL Villarreal	26	12	5	9	32	24	+8	41	W D W W L
7	ATH Athletic Club	26	10	6	10	36	28	+8	36	W L D L L
8	RAY Rayo Vallecano	26	9	9	8	31	30	+1	36	D L D L D
9	OSA Osasuna	26	9	7	10	22	27	-5	34	L L D W L
10	CEL Celta de Vigo	26	9	7	10	32	35	-3	34	W W D W D
11	MLL Mallorca	26	9	5	12	22	27	-5	32	L D L L W
12	GIR Girona	26	8	7	11	40	41	-1	31	D L L W W
13	GET Getafe	26	7	8	11	27	34	-7	29	W D W L W
14	SEV Sevilla	26	7	7	12	29	42	-13	28	L W L L D
15	CAD Cádiz	26	6	10	10	21	38	-17	28	D D D W L
16	VLD Real Valladolid	26	8	4	14	20	38	-18	28	L D W L L
17	ESP Espanyol	26	6	9	11	32	42	-10	27	L L L W W
18	VAL Valencia	26	7	5	14	28	31	-3	26	L W L W L
19	ALM Almería	26	7	5	14	30	45	-15	26	D L L W L
20	ELC Elche	26	2	7	17	19	51	-32	13	L D W L L

Next up for Valencia is a trip to Girona on Sunday, while Real Madrid head to Mallorca the same day. Until then, thank you for joining us!

Voro is back for yet another interim spell with the club he spent most of his career with as a player, of course. But even he may admit this is the biggest task he's been handed as a stop-gap. It's going to be a rough few months for Valencia.

Carlo Ancelotti waxed lyrical about his side's draw with Real Sociedad despite failing to win, but judging by his stormy expression, it is unlikely he will reserve such praise for this performance. Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema both had impressive games in attack, but that injury for Eder Militao will give the coach concern.

Goals for Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior helped Real Madrid to victory over Valencia in the end, with the visitors down a man after Gabriel Paulista was handed his marching orders. It's a much-needed win for Los Blancos to stay in the title hunt too. At full-time, it finishes Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia.

90' + 3' FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-0 VALENCIA

90' + 1' There will be three added minutes in this one.

90' Rodrygo pops an effort in and Mamardashvili picks it out near the top of the goal-mouth. The keeper has had a rough one at the office.

88' Vinicius follows his team-mate's lead with a wayward shot somewhere right of the goal area. The only thing sparring Valencia more pain is that Madrid are looking a little jaded too.

86' Tchouameni now lofts his latest attempt high and wide. He is making life tough for a tiring Valencia defensive line, who seem to cower whenever he gets on the ball.

84' Now it is Tchouameni's turn to see an effort blocked. Madrid are not content with two, seeking to put a final coat of gloss on this excellent second half.

82' Moriba lays on Perez and the latter looks to curl one in from outside the box. His shot immediately hits a Madrid defender and arcs safely into the gloves of Courtois, who has had a quiet game today.

81' After slipping to a goalless draw with Real Sociedad, this is exactly the kind of result Ancelotti will have wanted from his side. Don't forget, Madrid have a Club World Cup to imminently deal with too.

79' Madrid have not lost any of their last 15 games played on a Thursday in LaLiga winning each of the last six. Valencia have lost three of their last eight such games.

77' This match has positively boiled over in the second half. Madrid will be delighted that they seem set to take three points from it after that first half. Valencia will rue letting it get away so easily in the end.

Fran Pérez

E. Cavani

75' Perez is also on for Valencia, replacing Cavani as we enter the final quarter-hour.

E. Cömert

Y. Musah

74' Further changes are afoot for Barcelona, with Comert on for Musah.

74' A fine stop from Mamardashvili! The goalkeeper helps bring the tempo of this match back down a peg with a good save to deny Valverde, stretching long and low to his left post.

Gabriel Paulista

Red Card

72' Ten men for Valencia! The visitors are going to see this one out without Paulista. He trips Vinicius with a cynical move and sparks a melee between both teams. The referee hands him a straight red in the middle of the storm and tries to keep order.

Toni Lato

Samuel Lino

70' Lino also departs for the visitors, with Lato on in his place.

Ilaix Moriba

André Almeida

70' Valencia make their next change, with Almeida giving way to Moriba.

68' Close for Andre! That might be as near as Valencia have come in this game, as the substitute clears the woodwork with an effort off a ball from Musah.

A. Tchouaméni

T. Kroos

66' It is a fourth change for the hosts, who add Tchouameni in place of Kroos.

F. Valverde

L. Modrić

66' Madrid make their third change of the game as Valverde enters for Modric.

64' Ten shots for Madrid against one for Valencia tells you all you need to know about the dominance of the game so far. Five of those have been on-target for the hosts too.

Marco Asensio

Yellow Card

62' Asensio is the latest name to go into the book, with the Madrid man cited for a cynical shirt tug as Valencia sought to break through on goal with Lino.

M. Diakhaby

Yellow Card

60' Diakhaby puts an industrial challenge in on Vinicius and is slapped with a yellow card for his troubles. The visitors are slipping further and further away.

Rodrygo

K. Benzema

60' With the game effectively won, Madrid now replace Benzema to rest him for the last half-hour. Rodrygo replaces him.

Marcos André

Samu Castillejo

58' Valencia make their first chance now as Andre arrives in place of Castillejo.

56' That surely is the win out of the equation for Valencia. They will have to throw caution to the wind if they want to have any hope of snatching a draw now too though.

K. Benzema

Assist

54' Benzema once again turns provider, setting the Brazilian on his merry way. He might not be on the scoresheet, but the striker has been in the thick of it everywhere today.

Goal

54' GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 VALENCIA! Two goals in the space of as many minutes and Los Blancos have torn this game apart! It is Vinicius this time, finally converting one of his runs into tangible results with a low finish to beat the keeper at close-range.

K. Benzema

Assist

52' That's good work from Benzema to hold up play before handing the ball off to his team-mate. The forward had been forced to recover a square ball from Vinicius he had let slip only moments earlier.

Marco Asensio

Goal

52' GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 VALENCIA! This one certainly will count! Asensio is laid up with a pass outside the box on the right. He looks up, times it and lofts a left-footed screamer in at the far corner! Superb stuff.

50' Cavani nibbles at Kroos and the latter wins a free-kick. The needle has not gone away during the break for these two sides.

48' Vinicius tracks a superb twist and run down the left flank, but his ball leaves a fraction too late to beat the offside trap his team-mates accidentally spring in support.

46' We are back underway for the second half of this LaLiga clash. Will Madrid prevail or can Valencia spring an upset?

Voro will wonder how his side are still on level terms, but the Valencia interim boss will not look a gift horse in the mouth. Carlo Ancelotti, on the other hand, will be less than impressed by that VAR call late on.

Antonio Rudiger's header overturned by VAR and an injury for Eder Militao mark a turbulent first half for Real Madrid against Valencia. Los Blancos will feel they have been robbed of their lead, but as it stands in LaLiga, they are all square. At half-time, it is Real Madrid 0-0 Valencia.

45' + 8' HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 0-0 VALENCIA

45' + 7' Madrid's staff are positively hopping mad. It's like a frog chorus down there in the technical area, with Ancelotti's assistants all bouncing around in frustration. Benzema looks utterly bemused. Valencia appear to have escaped dramatically.

K. Benzema

Yellow Card

45' + 5' Benzema is booked for that push on Musah, which rubs salt into the wound of Madrid's disallowed opener.

45' + 4' No goal! It's a controversial flashpoint at Santiago Bernabeu, as Benzema is deemed to have fouled Musah by pushing him in the face as he attempted to impede him. That's a borderline call for many. Madrid are furious.

45' + 3' Los Blancos have their breakthrough! Or do they? Modric pumps the corner in and as defenders swarm Benzema, it comes to Rudiger at the far post, who nods a simple looped header home. But VAR is going to review this for a foul by the Frenchman...

45' + 2' Madrid line up a corner on the left flank now as the final minute of the half approaches...

45' There will be three added minutes in this first half.

44' Time is running out for either side to find something on the scoreboard before the break. A goal for either would be a sucker punch, but particularly for Valencia who have ridden their luck.

42' Ceballos earns a free-kick off Musah now for a foul. Some of the players on both sides are getting a little bit testy with each other as the half draws in.

40' Lino is pegged for a hand ball, much to his disgruntlement. Valencia have not made their moment stick now and Madrid are looking to get them back under their thumb.

38' Back-to-back corners for Valencia cannot quite deliver the desired result in the box for the visitors and Madrid race away instead to ease that spell of pressure they were under.

Dani Carvajal

Éder Militão

36' Militao departs as Madrid's first change of the game, with Carvajal on in his place.

35' Now Militao and Lino are rolling around on the touchline after a collision. The former in particular looks to have done himself a mischief and hobbles off the field with a leg or foot injury. His game is done.

Nacho

Yellow Card

33' Musah looks on for a break after Madrid botch possession deep in their own half. Nacho trims him down as the penultimate man and is handed a booking.

31' Now Camavinga gets in on the action for Madrid, drifting a shot off-target to the left. Los Blancos are pushing harder and harder.

30' Madrid have not lost any of their last 14 home games against Valencia in LaLiga, and could equal their longest unbeaten run against them on home soil in the top flight, set between 1969 and 1983, today.

28' A prime chance for Vinicius now as he's laid on inside the box, but the forward pushes his shot straight to Mamardashvili. Still no way through yet for Madrid.

27' This has been an enthralling first quarter without too many close-cut chances. The hosts are beginning to turn the creative screw though.

25' Asensio pushes another effort wide of the mark, this time to the right. Benzema is the man laying on those balls to his wider partners in attack.

23' So close for Benzema! The set-piece is floated in after a fake-out delivery and the Frenchman almost guides it in at the left post. Madrid are getting nearer to that opener.

22' Militao gets dragged by Cavani and the Valencia man is booked. Madrid have a free-kick on the right flank, in a suitable range to reach the box too...

19' A vital block from Paulista! Benzema tickles back a crossed ball near the left post for Asensio to line up his shot, only for a scrambled move by the defender sees it arc away. A crucial moment in this half.

17' Los Blancos win a corner and go short, hoping to work themselves into the box the long way round. Valencia prove wise to their attempts and their move comes to nothing.

15' Paulista snaps up a free-kick after Benzema fouls him, though Madrid prove steady and offer a sharp rebuttal to their opponent on the attack.

13' So far, it is Madrid who are showing a tad more composure, but Valencia absolutely do not look like a side struggling to pull free of the wrong end of the table. This is lively stuff.

11' Modric outstrips three or four opposition players on a crazy weaving run through midfield. His ball out to Vinicius is less clean however, and Valencia pin the Brazilian back.

9' Madrid ensure the set-piece comes to nothing and look to bring the ball back into opposition territory. There's a sharp energy to both teams so far.

7' Some smart pressure from Valencia pins Madrid down the left flank now though, and they come away with a corner for their efforts.

5' Castillejo catches Camavinga and concedes the first foul of the game. The noise is fearsome in Madrid for this one, with the home fans hoping for a big result.

3' Asensio spots the first chance of the game after a defensive error from the visitors, though his shot is deftly deflected by Mamardashvili with cool ease.

1' We are underway in this LaLiga clash between Real Madrid and Valencia!

The teams are out and we are moments away from kick-off.

Three of the last six Valencia goals against Real Madrid in LaLiga have come from the penalty spot. They are the team with the most penalty goals against Los Blancos in the competition since the 2020-21 season.

They may favour a result of some kind. Madrid have dropped points in four of their last seven games in LaLiga, having done so in just one of their first 11 league matches this term.

For Valencia, as the search for a new coach picks up, this is effectively a free hit. The weight of expectation is off their shoulders, but will they be able to thrive without that pressure?

Substitutes: Iago Herrerin, Ilaix Moriba, Vazquez Alcalde, Francisco Martinez, Cenk Ozkacar, Cristhian Ibarguen, Javier Guerra, Eray Cömert, Toni Lato, Marcos de Sousa, Hugo Duro, Cristian Rivero.

VALENCIA (4-3-3): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Dimitri Foulquier, Gabriel Paulista, Mouctar Diakhaby, Jose Gaya; Yunus Musah, Hugo Guillamon, Andre Almeida; Samu Castillejo, Edinson Cavani, Samuel Lino.

Substitutes: Federico Valverde, Andriy Lunin, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Luis Lopez, Daniel Carvajal, Mariano, Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Aurelien Tchouameni.

REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Nacho, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos; Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior.

Team news now, and Madrid make just two swaps, with Luka Modric and Marco Asensio dropped into their XI. Meanwhile, the visitors make three changes, with Dimitri Foulquier, Gabriel Paulista and Hugo Guillamon all coming in.

They'll hope to deliver the goods against a side who haven't won any of their last four top-flight games. That has cost Gennaro Gattuso his job, with interim boss Voro back at the helm.

With an eight-point gap to leaders Barcelona, victory will take Carlo Ancelotti's side closer to their rivals. But defeat here might signal the beginning of the end of their title defence.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2022-23 LaLiga season, as champions Real Madrid look to keep up their pursuit of the summit against Valencia at Santiago Bernabeu!

Real Madrid v Valencia Live Commentary, 3/2/23

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