Real Madrid and Valencia look forward to their turning point in the Super Cup
The whites, current champions, want to leave behind their most recent bad image against a Valencia that arrives injured and with doubts
MADRID, 10 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid and Valencia face each other this Wednesday (8:00 p.m.) in the first semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup, which takes place in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), a duel to which both teams arrive injured and with the need to convert the match at a turning point to strengthen confidence that has been somewhat weakened in recent weeks.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team, who already finished something just the first part of the season before the World Cup, does not seem to have done well with the break. The white team ended 2022 -draw at home against Girona, defeat in Vallecas and victory ‘in extremis’ against Cádiz at home- with serious disconnections, allowing too much back and with a physical level far from one hundred percent that was seen until mid-October.
And the sign that January could be very long was the last defeat against Villarreal (2-1), a game in which Real Madrid offered its most ‘pasota’ version in the first half, clearly surpassed by Setién’s men, to stay seconds three points behind Barça. Ancelotti himself recognized in the preview of the start of the journey in the Super Cup that he was “surprised” by the course of the match at La Cerámica.
“It was foreseeable not to be at the top at this moment. The game against Villarreal surprised me a bit, the sensations were much better. The game has shown another side. We have to do things well again; the defensive aspect has not been good and we have to work. This team knows how to defend very well, better than they did against Villarreal”, he declared at a press conference.
The meringues, current super champions of Spain, beat Cacereño (0-1), in the Cup, and Valladolid (0-2), with two actions for the Karim Benzema Ballon d’Or -two very inconspicuous duels-, before the disaster in Villarreal. And although the results are in command and they are still very lively in all competitions, you can see a team that is more tired and somewhat demotivated, which, for the moment, is worth, although not always, the flashes and the quality of its forwards.
The two setbacks for Ancelotti are the casualties of Aurelien Tchouameni and David Alaba due to muscle injuries. The absence of the Austrian does not seem to be so vital, with a couple of center-backs made up of Antonio Rüdiger and Eder Militao more than solvent. To this should be added the doubt of Ferland Mendy in the left lane, which could give Nacho options.
However, that of the French if it can be more decisive, forcing to change the drawing. The most feasible option seems to delay Fede Valverde to accompany Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, with Rodrygo Goes on the right. The young Brazilian, a leading figure against Cacereño in the Cup, would begin as Vinicius and Benzema’s dance partner, in a trio that hopes to generate the spark that has been somewhat lost in recent weeks.
THE 2020 SEMIFINAL, LAST PRECEDENT IN THE TOURNAMENT
The recent balance of direct confrontations between the two teams is favorable to Real Madrid, which has won four of the last five direct duels, due to a victory for Valencia. The Turia team also remembers the last precedent in the tournament, already with a ‘Final Four’ format, when the whites “passed over” them.
“They were far superior to us, we weren’t up to the task. We’re going to fight and give everything, I’m sure it won’t be like the last time. We’re very excited to be back in a final”, said the captain ‘ché’ José Gayà at a press conference. The winger is one of the only three survivors of that game -along with Paulista and Diakhaby-, in a clear symptom of a lack of solidity in the Valencian project.
Valencia does not enjoy a positive situation either, heavily weighed down in the table and in the mood by the last two defeats -Villarreal (2-1) and Cádiz (0-1)- consecutive. For this reason, the prospects are not very rosy, and they hope that the tournament will be an opportunity to meet again with their most competitive and consistent version, which was seen at the beginning of the season.
Gattuso will not be able to count on Nico González and Samu Castillejo due to injury. With a very defined line of four with Thierry Correia, Cömert, Diakhaby and Gayá; Almeida would accompany Guillamón and Musah in the midfield. While in attack, Kluivert would be in charge of replacing the ex from Milan, with the toned and elusive Samuel Lino on the left and the ‘Matador’ Edinson Cavani as ‘9’. The Uruguayan already scored against Real Madrid in his last game against the whites, with the PSG shirt.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS:
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Kroos, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema and Vinicius.
VALENCY: Mamardashvili; Thierry, Cömert, Diakhaby, Gaia; William, Musah, Almeida; Kluivert, Cavani and Samuel Lino.
–REFEREE: Hernández Hernández (C. Canario).
–ESTADIO: King Fahd International Stadium.
–TIME: 8:00 p.m./Movistar.