Real Madrid suffered their first defeat since the return of Zinedine Zidane, with Karim Benzema scoring a late consolation goal in a 2-1 loss to Valencia.
All through the game, Real Madrid looked devoid of any inspiration as they failed to conjure up clear goalscoring chances. Los Blancos though, would argue that they deserved to be given a penalty early on when Sergio Ramos felt he was brought down by Ezequiel Garay.
But, it was Valencia who broke the deadlock in the 35th minute as Goncalo Guedes produced a thumping effort from outside the Real Madrid box. While Real Madrid dominated the proceedings thereafter, the game changing moment never arrived, before Los Che took an unassailable lead with seven minutes left in regulation time.
Garay nodded in from Dani Parejo’s corner as Casemiro failed to mark him, with Valencia taking a 2-0 lead. Real Madrid did pull a goal back through Karim Benzema deep into injury time, but it was too little too late. Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid fans were livid with the result, and they expressed their anger on Twitter, including the decision to not award a penalty.
#VCFMAD Terrible performance from us. Our defense is trash for so called “Best in the world”. Valencia deserve this game. Outclassed is on the pitch. Benzema’s goal not enough.
— RealMadrid101 (@madrid101_real) April 3, 2019
Zinedine Zidane suffers his first defeat three games into his second tenure with @realmadriden with the 2-1 loss to @Valencia.
It marks their NINTH @LaLigaEN loss of the season in 30 games as they languish 13 points behind league leaders @FCBarcelona.
Squad overhaul loading? pic.twitter.com/0oqJMWdFOC
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz07Kohler) April 3, 2019
Lmao penalty for Real Madrid but then called off correctly because Ramos was offside during the play
This just summed up this game for us lmao
— Aarul (@Aaruls12) April 3, 2019
We’ve made Valencia the best counter attacking team in the world…. pic.twitter.com/zbwcm7lQhq
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) April 3, 2019
Valencia lineup against Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/O9p9VLtnSP
— Rahat (@RkFutbol) April 3, 2019
This Madrid team is terrible and Zidane is not going to change that unless he changes… Well, the team itself.
— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) April 3, 2019
Garay on Ramos in the box. Foul? Penalty? pic.twitter.com/NZedIHviwl
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) April 3, 2019
Meanwhile, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were not spared by the Real Madrid fans for their unimpressive showings on the night, as chances came few and far between.
Asensio should be sold so should Bale.. Nacho and Modric and Kroos and Vazquez…
— D.H.F. (@ultrabreez5) April 3, 2019
Modric Kroos Casemiro cant be our starters next season, no pace, no legs, dont get forward, dont create for the attackers, but they are good on the ball things must change
— Jesse (@miamiconnect2) April 3, 2019
They were just not energetic.
— ? BongZ DA KinG ? (@Bongani803) April 3, 2019
Modric? I prefer not to speak
— Akhil Raj (@Akhilrmcf) April 3, 2019
Zidane stop insisting. You are doing a masive crim by ignoring Ceballos,Llorente and Reguilon for 3 lazy tractor Kroos,Casemiro and Marcelo. Bench them or sell them. Don’t want to see them as starters again#ValenciaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/8p9B46Jb0i
— . (@losvikingos0) April 3, 2019
Zidane has to realize some things:
– Modrić is finished. He hasn’t had one Modric of the old-esque match this season. Not one.
– Casemiro is figured out. Every team in La Liga know how to work around his ‘physical prowess.’ (Albeit, Case is indispensable against bigger teams).— A (@ANTHQUINT) April 3, 2019
But, it was not all doom and gloom as Karim Benzema was praised following his consolation goal.
Benzema scoring I hear. He’s done his part this season. Creator, scoring & truly looked to be a the x-factor in the 1st season post CR7. Bar Vinicius, the rest (attackers) have been woefully disappointing & let him down
— El Cerebro (@tuale_CA) April 3, 2019
Thank you Benzema for that goal. *Phew*
— Yakubu (@yakubu44) April 3, 2019
the only one with honor <3 @Benzema pic.twitter.com/bwWVZ7KeCB
— dani (@tonysharvey) April 3, 2019