Asensio's thunderbolt brings down lowly Valencia, Real keep the pace with Barca

They lost in Villarreal, they drew with Real Sociedad and they desperately needed a win in this match in order to keep the pace with league leaders Barcelona. And they did, but it wasn’t so easy: Real – Valencia 2-0. On paper, it was an easy task against a team which is in a free fall with no coach (Gennaro Gattuso was sacked) and a terrible form (without a win since 2023), but Carlo Ancelotti’s team were not concentrated and looked a bit nervous, as the eight point gap with Barca was on their mind, so the first goal was scored not before the 52nd minute of the match.

Before that, only Ruddiger shook the net, but his goal was nullified by VAR due to Benzema’s foul prior to the goal. And this time, believe it or not, Karim Benzema was not the savior. It was Marco Asensio, who got the nod over Rodrygo and Valverde and played a really good game, which he finished with the leading goal, which was a real beauty. He received the ball from Benzema on the edge of the box and put the ball beautifully into the far corner for the lead. Vinicius Jr. made sure that everything was over three minutes after with the second and final goal of the game. Even Ancelotti knew Valencia is not capable of coming back so changed Benzema, Modric and Kroos in the next 10 minutes. And he was right, nothing happened until the end, apart from a few Real chances.

LA LIGA

Wednesday

Betis - Barcelona 1-2 (0-0)

/Kounde 85(og) - Raphinha 65, Lewandowski 80/

Thursday

Real Madrid - Valencia 2-0 (0-0)

/ Asensio 52, Vinicius 55/

Friday

23.00: (1.45) Ath.Bilbao (4.40) Cadiz (9.00)

Saturday

16.00: (2.45) Espanyol (2.95) Osasuna (3.30)

18.15: (4.90) Elche (3.60) Villareal (1.75)

20.30: (1.45) Atl.Madrid (4.20) Getafe (10.0)

***odds are subject to change*