Valencia have produced a defensive masterclass to clinch a hard-fought 2-1 win over La Liga leaders Real Madrid in Wednesday night's rescheduled clash at the Mestalla.
Simone Zaza and Fabian Orellana gave Los Che a two-goal lead after just nine minutes, but Cristiano Ronaldo headed home on the stroke of half time to give the visitors a platform upon which to mount a second-half onslaught.
However, the hosts continued to defend stoutly and repelled everything that Real had to offer right until the final whistle, which blew on a home win and left Los Blancos stunned.
Here is how Sports Mole covered the action at the Mestalla.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's La Liga clash between Valencia and Real Madrid!
Today is turning out to be a hell of a matchday - not only do we have two Champions League last-16 first legs, which would normally be enough top-class football on their own, but also several Europa League ties, including Saint-Etienne against Manchester United, and if that wasn't enough, there is also this rescheduled La Liga tie between two of the most illustrious sides in Spanish football!
The original fixture was meant to take place on matchday 16, back in December, but was moved due to Real's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that Zinedine Zidane's side went on to win.
It's proving to be quite a busy calendar for Los Blancos, who will have played eight games in the space of 25 days come mid-March, including their Champions League last-16 tie against Napoli. So far, they've got a 100 percent record from this run, and it really looks as if their "crisis" a month ago, when they lost two in a row (shock horror!), is well and truly behind them.
The team news have filtered through so let's have a look at the respective line-ups.
VALENCIA STARTING XI: Alves, Gaya, Mangala, Garay, Cancelo, Parejo, Perez, Orellana, Nani, Munir, Zaza
REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Marcelo, Casemiro, Modric
VALENCIA SUBS: Domenech, Siqueira, Suarez, Bakkali, Abdennour, Medran, Soler
REAL MADRID SUBS: Casilla, Nacho, Bale, Kovacic, Vazquez, Morata, Isco
Valencia coach Voro has made two changes from the team that beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at the weekend, with Joao Cancelo and Jose Luis Gaya replacing Martin Montoya and Guilherme Siqueira.
The team selection means that the attacking trident of Nani, Simone Zaza - both of whom scored against Athletic - and Munir El Haddadi all start up front as they look to claim a shock result over Real.
Zinedine Zidane, meanwhile, has made seven changes from Saturday's 2-0 win over Espanyol, with Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez, Marcelo, Luka Modric and Casemiro all recalled.
Isco, Mateo Kovacic, Nacho, Kiko Casilla and Alvaro Morata drop back to the bench alongside Gareth Bale, who scored at the weekend but is once again not deemed fit enough to start following his recent return from injury.
It was not that long ago that Valencia were considered the best of the rest in Spain - the La Liga table at the end of the season would usually be Real and Barcelona alternating between first and second, a not inconsiderable point gap, Valencia in third, another fairly sizeable point gap, and then all the other teams. Los Che, however, have not had a good time of things recently.
There was a serious danger of Valencia freefalling towards relegation earlier on after their dismal start to the season, taking zero points from their first four games. Illustrious coach Cesare Prandelli was unable to make much of an impact before leaving at the turn of the year, but since Voro resumed his role as interim boss, Valencia have improved substantially. Now 15th and seven points clear of the relegation places, they have won three of their last six.
As for Real, meanwhile, everything seems to be coming along nicely. Although Valencia are a more dangerous proposition than they would have been in December, Zidane's boys will certainly fancy their chances. They sit one point clear at the top of the La Liga table and still have two games in hand, which they will be desperate to make the most of and leave Barca in the dust.
As is always the case (unless injured or suspended, obviously), Mr CR7 will be starting for Real today and hoping to get a goal or three on board, standard. Today marks his 700th club career appearance, and the goal stats around this are simply jaw-dropping.
Cristiano Ronaldo will make the 700th appearance of his club career against Valencia today. Here's a breakdown of his goals per 100 games pic.twitter.com/MUBGnyDDsh — Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) 22 February 2017
Valencia have won just one of their last 14 league games against Real Madrid, a 2-1 victory in January 2015 under Nuno Espírito Santo. That result, however, ended Real Madrid's 22-game winning streak in all competitions at the time.
Real, meanwhile, have beaten Valencia in five of their last seven league games played at Mestalla, but have failed to win the last two.
In addition, Valencia have kept back-to-back clean sheets, having previously conceded in each of their first 21 games in all competitions this season.
SCORE PREDICTION: With just ten minutes to go until kickoff, it's time for me to have a go at guessing the result. For all of Valencia's improvements over the last few weeks, I still think Real will prove too stern a test. The visitors have had their blip and put things right, they're in great form once again, and really I cannot see past an away victory. I reckon 3-0 or 4-1 to Zidane and co.
Zidane: "We know the importance of the Valencia game in terms of the league. We're up against a team that is playing much better lately and getting good results. Winning would mean having three more points, but we're going to have to work hard for it. We'll come up against a good team at a difficult ground. Valencia weren't getting the results before but they are now. My message is always the same. We know the league is difficult. It's February and we're doing OK now, but that doesn't mean anything."
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Both sets of players have made their way onto the Mestalla pitch - kickoff is imminent!
KICKOFF! Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea is the referee today and he gets the action underway. Real kick off and they're in their purple kit, while Valencia are in their traditional white.
Real make a bright start with James sending a cross into the box and Valencia forcing it out for a corner, which is taken short, the ball is then swung in towards the back post by Marcelo, but Varane is unable to get up high enough to connect.
GOAL! VALENCIA 1-0 REAL MADRID (SIMONE ZAZA)
What a start from the hosts and what a goal from Zaza! The Italian receives a Munir cross in the box and, despite being under pressure from Varane, he swivels and fires off a fierce half-volley that flies past Navas! That was not in the script!
GOAL! VALENCIA 2-0 REAL MADRID (FABIAN ORELLANA)
Okay, now I'm gobsmacked. Valencia have taken a two-goal lead against Real Madrid and we haven't even had 10 minutes on the clock! Zaza once again involved as he finds Nani on the left, the ex-Man United man plays the ball back to Orellana, and the midfielder strides into space before slotting a finish through Navas!
Real push forward in a bid to rectify the mess they've gotten themselves into and earn themselves a corner which is worked towards Ronaldo at the back post, but a tame header is gathered up by Alves.
CHANCE! First sniff of goal for the visitors as Ronaldo receives a pass on the edge of the box and shoots, but the ball goes inches wide of the left post.
CHANCE! Almost a third for Valencia as Gaya puts the ball into the box and Munir's strike is blocked before looping over the crossbar for a corner, which is headed clear.
CHANCE! Ronaldo surges to the left byline, before squaring a low cross to the back post, but James's goalbound volley is blocked on the line by Munir! Frantic stuff here at the Mestalla!
Real are rattled and look nervy at the back, Varane's misplaced pass almost putting the hosts in with a chance again, but Parejo can't pick out Gaya on the overlap.
CHANCE! Ronaldo darts into the box to latch on to a pass and sends a low shot in the direction of the left post, but Alves is alert and denies the Portuguese forward.
BOOKING: Zaza, with a new lease of life (in terms of football) after his forgettable spell at West Ham, gets the first booking of the match after sliding in on Ramos on the halfway line.
CHANCE! Real keep on coming, this time Benzema having a pop as he meets a delivery on the edge of the penalty area and fires towards the top-right corner, but Alves is equal to it and gets it out for a corner, which comes to nothing.
Marcelo goes down and stays down after a challenge with Garay midway inside the Real half, he comes off the pitch for treatment and returns with a seemingly clean bill of health, though he isn't moving freely.
Zaza needs to be careful not to go from hero to zero as he is involved in an off-the-ball incident with Carvajal after pulling the Real right-back to the floor. Nothing comes of it but the Italian is already on a booking.
Valencia are defending admirably, they're organised and making it tough for Real to break their lines. So far so good in terms of Voro's tactics.
BOOKING: Carvajal picks up a booking for hacking Zaza down on the edge of the area with a mistimed tackle. This looks like it'll go on for the rest of the game.
CHANCE! Parejo stands over the resulting free kick and opts to take it himself, going for goal and forcing Navas into a full-stretch save!
Better football from Real as they patiently work the ball across the left-hand side, Modric looks for James in the channel but Cancelo does well to reclaim possession in the box.
Real now turning the screw as they bomb forward into the Valencia box and Cancelo tries to head back to Alves, but the goalkeeper is slow to react, which sees the ball come out to Kroos who in turn looks for Benzema at the back post, but Garay intercepts to concede a corner, which Valencia clear.
CHANCE! Nani skins past Casemiro to get to the byline and picks out Parejo on the edge of the box, but the midfielder's first-time strike is wide.
SUBSTITUTION: Nani appears to have injured himself during that passage of play as he comes down clutching his groin and signalling to come off. Coach Voro brings on left-back Guilherme Siqueira in his place, moving Jose Luis Gaya up to left-wing.
Not long until half time and Valencia look comfortable as they continue to repel the majority of Real's attacks, and at the other end, Zaza breaks away down the right and cuts back towards the centre, forcing a scrambled clearance from the visitors.
BOOKING: Modric tries to mount a counter but is hacked down by Munir, who sees yellow for his troubles.
GOAL! VALENCIA 2-1 REAL MADRID (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
Right on the stroke of half time (two additional minutes to be played) and Real halve the deficit through Ronaldo as Marcelo's lofted cross is at the perfect height for the superstar forward, who gets ahead of Mangala to power a header into the back of the net!
HALF TIME: VALENCIA 2-1 REAL MADRID
An exhilarating first half of football comes to an end at the Mestalla and Valencia lead Real Madrid by two goals to one, but the hosts will be absolutely gutted to have conceded that late goal, which now piles all the pressure onto them with another 45 minutes to go.
Los Che got off to the most perfect of perfect starts as they put two past their opponents with not even 10 minutes on the clock, Simone Zaza receiving a cross from Munir El Haddadi with his back to goal and swivelling to blast a volley home after just four minutes played, and in the ninth minute, Fabian Orellana finished off a passage of play orchestrated by Zaza and Nani to leave the visitors shellshocked.
Valencia continued to push forward in a bid to extend their lead and came close to doing so on a number of occasions, while also repelling the visitors' attacks efficiently, but right on the stroke of half time, Marcelo's floated cross under virtually no pressure was thumped home by Cristiano Ronaldo, which has changed the complexion of the game.
Had Voro's charges maintained their two-goal lead, they might have been more eager to shut up shop and perhaps attempt a few conservative counters as their opponents would have been more gung-ho in attack and sloppy at the back (which they have shown already in this game), but with just one goal separating them, Real can be more cautious themselves in a bid to pick the hosts apart, while Valencia know that one error could well lead to all their hard work becoming undone.
The last time Real were 2-0 down in a league game was against Rayo Vallecano last April - and they came back to win 3-2.
Valencia have had six shots, three on goal, completed 97 passes, won two corners and enjoyed just 29 percent possession. In comparison, Real have had nine shots, four of which were on target, completed 275 passes, won six corners and enjoyed 71 percent possession. Needless to say, Valencia will need to be at their absolute best to make sure their lead doesn't go to waste.
KICKOFF: We are back underway for the second half. Will Valencia hold on, or can Real get something from their trip to the Mestalla? We will find out in the next 45!
Real are going for the jugular right away as Benzema gets down to the byline and cuts back for Marcelo, who has a pop at goal from the edge of the box, but his effort is charged down.
All Real in these early stages as James lofts a cross into the box, which is cleared, before Kroos cracks an effort towards goal from the edge of the box, but once again the Che defence charges the shot down for a corner, which is hacked away from danger.
Valencia are camped in their own half as Real intend to make them pay for daring to race into a two-goal lead (possibly), with Benzema playing the ball over to Marcelo on the left-hand side, who then tries his luck but to no avail, before James picks it up and attempts a cross, which comes to nothing.
PENALTY SHOUT! Benzema tries to shoot on the turn but is prevented from doing so by a tight Che defence, before Ronaldo races into the box and goes down under pressure from Mangala, but the referee waves away the appeal.
BOOKING: Enzo Perez gets a yellow card for a late tackle on Marcelo at the edge of the Valencia box.
SUBSTITUTION: That's the last involvement from Fabian Orellana as he is replaced by Carlos Soler.
Zaza is the player furthest up the pitch for Valencia, but he's no more than about 35 yards from his own goal.
BOOKING: It's all getting a bit tasty with challenges aplenty, and now Varane gets a yellow for raising his foot dangerously and catching Gaya in the face.
CHANCE! Valencia finally enjoy a foray forward and it nearly reaps dividends as Parejo gets past two defenders before racing into the box and forcing a great save out of Navas at the near post from a tight angle.
SUBSTITUTION: James Rodriguez comes off and in his place comes Gareth Bale, only just back from injury and given half an hour tonight to see if he can make it two goals in two games.
Just moments after the Welshman is introduced, Ronaldo goes down in a heap following a clash of heads. He manages to get up and should be alright to continue.
Carvajal curls in a cross from the right-hand side, which Ronaldo flicks on towards the back post, but Alves gets there first.
BOOKING: Mangala is shown a yellow card for a rash challenge on Benzema down the flank, but the free kick is overturned as Real are penalised for pushing.
PENALTY SHOUT! Real get away with it there as Zaza dispossesses Varane and gets in behind the back four, but his effort comes off Navas as Carvajal barges into the Italian and puts him off the shot.
PENALTY SHOUT! And another one for Valencia who must be seriously aggrieved by now, as Munir marauds forward and gets hacked down by Ramos just beyond the line of the 18-yard box. Nothing given and play continues with Real going forward, despite Zaza going down with an injury.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A series of changes from both sides as Raphael Varane, who has not had a good day at the office, is off in place of Nacho, while Lucas Vazquez comes on for Luka Modric. For Los Che, the injured Simone Zaza is taken off shift as Mario Suarez takes his place on the pitch.
Casemiro has a pop at goal from distance but blasts it way over the bar and into the stands. Time is running out for Real as the game has turned into a war of attrition, just what Voro would have wanted.
Real win a free kick which Ronaldo fires straight into the wall, before he tries to loop the rebound into the box, but the move ends with Ramos caught offside.
Not long left of the game now and Valencia are stifling their opponents, who seem to have run out of ideas. Bale has been caught offside twice in the last three minutes.
Real are switching the ball from flank to flank, desperately trying to find a gap, but once again nothing happens as a cross from Vazquez eventually dips out of play at the far post.
CHANCES! Last-chance saloon as Real and Valencia are involved in a mighty scramble in the Che box, Carvajal curling a cross in which Alves punches half-clear, then Ramos tries to backheel the ball into danger, Bale attempts to stab home, but the hosts survive as Ronaldo is penalised for a push.
BOOKING: Four minutes of stoppage time to be played as Parejo is booked for a tug on an opponent's shirt.
CHANCE! Bale is picked out by a Kroos ball from the right, but the Welshman sees his header charged down by Perez, before Marcelo shoots high and wide of the target from outside the box.
CHANCE! Could that be it for Real? A ball from the left finds Ronaldo at the back post, but the Euro 2016 winner can only flick his header wide from six yards!
Goalkeeper Navas is up for a final Real corner, this is literally it now...
It's swung in and one of the Che defenders clears it, and that's the final whistle!
FULL TIME: VALENCIA 2-1 REAL MADRID
The Valencia revival continues as Voro's charges shock Real Madrid by claiming a 2-1 win at the Mestalla! Simone Zaza and Fabian Orellana's early goals looked in danger of being cancelled out when Cristiano Ronaldo headed home on the stroke of half time ahead of a second-half in which they were under siege, but Los Che repelled everything that the visitors had to throw and then some, surviving right until the final whistle!
Valencia are up in 14th now, a huge 10 points clear of the drop zone, and the way they're going, safety looks very likely. As for Real, they remain one point clear at the top of the table, but with just one game in hand now and the likelihood of just a four-point lead beyond Barcelona in a very fluid title race, the Blaugrana might just be smelling blood!
That's all we have time for at the Mestalla but stay with Sports Mole as we bring you match reports, all the latest action from a very busy evening of football, and all the latest news and reaction! Thank you for following and, until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
