Relegation-threatened Real Valladolid will square up against second-placed Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
After a disappointing loss at the hands of league leaders Barcelona prior to the international break, Real Madrid are all set to resume their league campaign with a home fixture against Real Valladolid. The visitors have had a rough season so far but still have hope of surviving in the Spanish top flight.
Los Blancos were well on course until the turn of the year. But post that, things have not gone according to plan. They have lost three El Clasicos and have dropped quite a few points in the league. However, Real Madrid have surely maintained their dominance in the UEFA Champions League, making it into yet another quarter-finals.
The Merengues have managed only eight points out of their last five league games (two wins and two draws), something that has not helped their cause. In their previous fixture, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the league leaders Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now 12 points behind the Catalan giants, and their hopes of winning the league title have surely taken a back seat here. While they do not have a realistic chance of winning the title from here on, football in the end is a game of uncertainties.
The Real Madrid manager is well aware of the fact that his job is on the line, and he will have to make sure he finished the season on a high to save his seat on Los Blancos’ bench. Meanwhile, the visitors have a lot to play for. They are involved in an intense relegation battle having collected 28 points in their 26 fixtures.
Real Valladolid are just two points above the drop zone and are well aware of the fact that a negative result against Real Madrid could complicate things. Juan Jose Rojo Martin’s team have only managed four points out of their last five fixtures. They could only register a win and a draw in their last five outings, increasing the pressure on the manager.
The visitors are heading into this away clash against Los Blancos on the back of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Athletic Club. Rojo Martin’s men will be eager to bounce back. But they are well aware of the difficult challenge that lies ahead in Real Madrid.
As far as the reverse fixture is concerned, Real Madrid came out on top with a 2-0 win. They were the much better side on the day, and Valladolid will hope they have a better outing this time around. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Los Blancos will be without the services of Ferland Mendy, who recently picked up a muscle injury. Apart from the Frenchman, Nacho Fernandez is out due to suspension.
🎥⚽ 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀: Our final training session ahead of @realvalladolidE!#RealMadridRealValladolid https://t.co/jeQ6tbkEGI
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 1, 2023
Meanwhile, Toni Kroos, who picked up a knock in their last outing against Barcelona, could be rested for this fixture. Along with the German international, a few other senior players could be on the bench for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid given the all-important second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona is around the corner.
Despite fitness concerns, Thibaut Courtois is likely to start in goal as Ancelotti once again will start with a 4-3-3 formation. David Alaba and Dani Carvajal are expected to start as the full-backs. Meanwhile, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger will pair up in the heart of the defence.
Aurelien Tchouameni will start as the holding player in the midfield, and he will have the support of Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos. Federico Valverde is likely to be rested, and Rodrygo Goes might start ahead of him at right wing. But Vinicius Junior is likely to resume work on the left flank. Karim Benzema will once again lead the attack for Los Blancos.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Real Valladolid
Selim Amallah, Jordi Masip, Darwin Machis and Anuar Tuhami are not available for this trip to the capital. Meanwhile, Javi Sanchez is out due to suspension, and Kenedy is doubtful due to fitness concerns. Machis will be a big miss for Valladolid, given the impact he has had in the attacking third.
The hard work doesn't stop 💪 pic.twitter.com/aVfZJS6MqZ
— Real Valladolid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦 (@realvalladolidE) March 31, 2023
Juan Jose Rojo Martín’s will also start with a 4-3-3, where Sergio Asenjo will be in goal. Ivan Fresneda and Lucas Olaza will be the full-backs. Joaquin Fernandez will pair up with Jawad El Yamiq in the heart of the defence.
Alvaro Aguado, Monchu and Ivan Sanchez could be the three in the midfield. Sanchez is expected to have a more attacking role in the centre of the park. Oscar Plano is likely to start on the left flank while Gonzalo Plata could start on the right. Cyle Larin, who found the back of the net in their previous outing, will lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Asenjo; Fresneda, Fernandez, El Yamiq, Olaza; Aguado, Sanchez, Monchu; Plata, Larin, Plano.
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have the best attack in the league, as they have managed to score 51 goals so far.
- Real Valladolid are the second-lowest-scoring team in the division. They have found the back of the net on only 20 occasions.
- Los Blancos have the third-best defence in the league. They have only conceded 21 goals in their 26 outings.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s men have the second-best home record in La Liga this season. They have picked up 28 points out of their 12 matches.
- Real Valladolid have the fourth-worst away record in the ongoing La Liga season.
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior has been one of the most important players for Real Madrid over the last two seasons. The Brazilian wonderkid has done it for Carlo Ancelotti on numerous occasions. And, once against the boss will expect him to deliver.
The 22-year-old will look to add to his tally of 30 goal contributions in 41 outings in the ongoing season. He will look to stretch the opposition, cut inside and at times supply the ball to the dangerous Karim Benzema. All eyes will be on the Brazil international as he is expected to light up this fixture.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-0 Real Valladolid
It has been a rough ride for Real Madrid in the league of late. Carlo Ancelotti’s team have not been at their best and they have paid the price for it in the recent fixtures. Their 2-1 loss against Barcelona ended their dreams of winning their third league title in four years.
However, they will be eager to bounce back against Valladolid as they still have a lot to play for. While Real Madrid are expected to rest a few of their important players, they still have enough in their tank to go past the visitors. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Los Blancos.
Not enough weight for the Barcelona loss in this analysis. This will be a close draw, as Ancelotti seems impossible to impose any tactics whatsoever, and Benzema not being changed despite being zero in the Barcelona game. A great technician will have changed Benzema with Hazard. You need to risk and innovate and Hazard is the best paid football player here