Football is a state of mind and this Saturday night two fine examples met at the Santiago Bernabéu. Young and brash Valencia, who appear to have chased away the specter of relegation and mediocrity that has haunted them in recent seasons. And when the Englishman is not there due to Jude’s shoulder problem, you will face Brahim, to whom Ancelotti has officially attached the “Bellingham sentry” label.

Goal from ‘Killer’ Carvajal

The third example that shows that football is a matter of faith is Dani Carvajal. The winger has been encouraged to join the attack regularly this season and on the first play of the match he fired in a shot with his left foot that opened the scoring. It was a high and uncomfortable ball and you had to have a lot of confidence to hit the ball. The winger scored his second goal in the League with the competence of a classic goalkeeper from the region. The goal opened the match because Valencia did not give up and offered a round trip in the first match of their youth team in Chamartín: Javi Guerra, Canós, Diego López… This led to an entertaining duel with Lunin and Mamardashvili working in the areas. Bellingham’s absence frees up Vinicius, who is nearing his ideal spot. He needs to make good choices and reach that peak to get back to his old self.


Dani Carvajal scored Real Madrid’s first goal against Valencia. Reuters


Vinicius Sentence

The one who wasn’t seen as much was Brahim, who paid off in the game against Braga and looked more careful in covering the wing. However, the Malaga man fits well with the Brazilians, Camavinga, Valverde or Kroos. The clash accumulated opportunities in both areas, with Lunin winning the fight against Hugo Duro and Mamardashvili winning the fight against Vinicius. In the 40th minute, the Valencian striker missed a great opportunity and then Rodrygo dropped to the right lane with a more comfortable version without Jude behind him and from there he sent a cross into the heart of the area, sent by Vinicius. chest to network. White fist won over the arrogance of ‘taronja’.

Two goals in two minutes

If there’s any clue to get the party going, Three minutes into the second half, a rude mistake from Paulista fell to Vinicius. Knowing the king of clubs without Bellingham, He faced, shot and scored. Closed match. But it went further In the next game, when another error occurred, this time by Mamardashvili, he passed the error to Rodrygo and the Brazilian made it. Baraja committed suicide with his courageous approach, although not unconsciously, when the mistakes of his players were added.

Madrid, better said Vinicius and Rodrygo once again showed their best versions on the field without Bellingham. Like against Braga. It’s not about blaming the Englishman for this, but rather pointing out that Jude’s presence creates other flows of play and more uncomfortable contexts for the Brazilian. Now Ancelotti must find a way for Vinicius and Rodrygo to move forward without restricting Bellingham’s reputation and vice versa. Also attended by the calm game of Vinicius, who focused on the game and was not distracted in the form of skirmishes or skirmishes with opponents.

The final half hour was diluted with the stands waiting for the fifth thanks to Rodrygo and Baraja trying to equip their team to ensure victory did not end in a mockery. Valencia came to the Bernabéu with 13 goals and was the team with the fewest shots on target in the league. But the children leave the white temple with a lesson they didn’t write down in their notebooks: When you forgive Madrid, it will kill you. White’s jab defined the match, but from the first moment it was an open match with the kind of gaps where Vinicius and Rodrygo were licking each other’s lips. Madrid have optimized their counter-attacking mode and Valencia need to sharpen their teeth when stepping into the opposition’s territory in matches. The final 5-1 scoreline maintains the Madridists’ optimism and brings Valencia, as brave as it is naive, back to harsh reality.