Ferran Torres reviews – AS.com

Valencia are the team with the most goals in the top ten of the table; Today it will lack its two most solvent power plants (Garay, with the crusader and the renewal broken, and Paulista, who did not arrive on time); one of his relays, Diakhaby, has committed three penalties in the last two games (against Levante it was a draw in the discount) and is under judgment; the team has had a victory in the last nine games and 12 years without winning at the Bernabéu, and in his last duel against Madrid, in the Arabian Super Cup, he was a zero to the left (1-3). Undoubtedly, there were better times to visit the Zidane team, although Madrid has not been a place of his liking for some time: he has only won six times in sixty years.

Valencia opens today in Valdebebas, probably with Ferran Torres in eleven. Ferran (20 years old) is by far the best national footballer of his generation. He led the U-17 team, European champion and world runner-up and the U19 who also achieved the continental title with two of his goals in the final against Portugal. In Valencia since he was 6 years old, Madrid scored him as a fry, as a cadet (they even invited Valdebebas) and as a youth. Before this last assault, in just eight months the Levantine club had to extend the release clause twice (from 8 to 25 million and from 25 to 100), but it fell short again. It now ends in June 2021 and has not been renewed. If Valencia does not enter Europe, it will be obliged to sell for those 100 million in which he appraised Ferran, but with a year of contract ahead, it will be difficult to demand its clause. And while, Madrid does not find a stable footballer for the right wing (Bale and James are missing, Rodrygo green, Vinicius misfit for the post, Asensio for returning and Lucas Vázquez in regression). So for Ferran it is as crucial a game as it is for his team.

Casemiro and Benzema

Valencia appears unclothed from head to toe. He is the penultimate in shots on goal of the entire League (8.9 per game compared to 15.1 for Madrid, leader in this chapter) and the second with the fewest mistakes. In addition, he has conceded 16 goals on set pieces. Only Betis and Mallorca have done worse. And behind he will have to protect himself with two emergency centrals: Guillamón, Ferran's partner in all the lower teams, and Coquelin, a converted midfielder to save Diakhaby. In return, Kondogbia returns, having completed his sanction, to accompany Parejo, lighthouse and top scorer of the team.

Madrid, meanwhile, points to a policy of energy saving with restrictions. There are black holes: Casemiro, the player with the most minutes on the roster, is one card away from suspension, but Zidane never finds a moment to take him away; Benzema has only missed three games throughout the course and none since January, but he has no relief; Carvajal, with Nacho injured, cannot stop either.

Yes, a respite is expected for Marcelo, who took a considerable pajará against Eibar, and some retouching in midfield, with Valverde at the helm. It may also be time for Isco, who did not play for a minute on Sunday and who could relieve Rodrygo, almost insignificant against Eibar. And it is possible the return, although not the departure, of Asensio, in what would be his first match since last July 24. The lawsuit will begin with Madrid five points from Barça and Valencia outside Europe. There will be a lack of public and there will be plenty of pressure.