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Soccer

VALENCIA-REAL MADRID

Real Madrid keen to avoid repeat of recent Mestalla nightmares

The club's last two visits to the home of Valencia have resulted directly in the sacking of Rafa Benitez and the end of Carlo Ancelotti's side's 22-game win streak -- a result which caused the Italian coach to fall out with Florentino Perez.

Marco Ruiz
Marco Ruizas_marcoruiz
Real Madrid keen to avoid repeat of recent Mestalla nightmares
JOSE JORDANAFP

Follow the coverage match: Valencia vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid visit the Mestalla on Wednesday night – a stadium which will bring back some bad memories from the previous two seasons.

Rafa Benitez looks on in frustration as Madrid draw 2-2 with Valencia at the Mestalla on 3 January 2016. Benitez was sacked the next day.
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Rafa Benitez looks on in frustration as Madrid draw 2-2 with Valencia at the Mestalla on 3 January 2016. Benitez was sacked the next day.

Indeed, Los Blancos’ last two trips to Valencia have resulted in the very foundations of the club being rocked, one way or another.

Jan 2016 - Benitez sacked after Valencia draw

After the team led by Rafa Benítez travelled to the city on Spain’s eastern coast on January 3 2016 for a game that would end 2-2, Madrid president Florentino Perez decided he’d seen enough and duly dismissed Benitez from his post, replacing him with Zinedine Zidane the following day.

Carlo Ancelotti pictured on 4 January 2015 as Real Madrid's 22-game win streak comes to an end with a 2-1 loss in Valencia.
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Carlo Ancelotti pictured on 4 January 2015 as Real Madrid's 22-game win streak comes to an end with a 2-1 loss in Valencia.

The decision was taken after the draw saw Madrid fall four points behind neighbours Atletico and two behind Barcelona in LaLiga.

Jan 2015 - 22-game win streak ends, Perez rages at Ancelotti over Bale

Almost exactly 12 months prior to that on January 4 2015, Madrid had yet another dramatic Mestalla visit, as the club’s consecutive 22-game winning streak was brought to a halt, falling to a 2-1 defeat.

Florentino also vented his anger at the situation on this occasion, though without taking such drastic action as he would a year later in firing Benitez.

Zinedine Zidane will avoid the wrath of Florentino Perez, whatever the result at Mestalla on Wesnesday
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Zinedine Zidane will avoid the wrath of Florentino Perez, whatever the result at Mestalla on WesnesdayJESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELADIARIO AS

This time the president reproached then-coach Carlo Ancelotti for taking off Gareth Bale in the 70th minute, allegedly storming down to the dressing after the game to rage that replacing the Welshman was the wrong decision. Ancelotti was dismissed a few months later after failing to win the league or defend the Champions League crown.

Feb 2017? No drama, whatever the result 

While a loss at Mesalla on Wednesday will see Los Blancos lose the opportunity to increase their lead at the top of LaLiga, Madrid still have the advantage of two-games in hand, so in the event of another slip-up in Valencia, do not expect to see a similar over reaction this week.