Real Madrid take their chances to see off Valencia

Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia: match report

Real Madrid returned to winning ways on Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabeu in the league with a 2-0 victory over Valencia with thanks to a first half Daniel Wass own goal followed by a late Lucas Vazquez strike.

Almost a month after Real Madrid's last home game, they returned to the Santiago Bernabeu, in an effort to repeat that result against Valladolid and they did just that, quite literally. Back then, against Valladolid, Santiago Solari was still the provisional manager and Real Madrid were looking at an uncertain future. They haven't completely eradicated their consistency problems but they have won six of the seven games with Solari on the bench and move up to fifth with that win and just three off the top (with the four teams ahead of them set to play on Sunday).

Real Madrid started with a high press that threw Valencia off their game and with Valencia keen to play it out from the back, it was a lethal concoction for the away side.

Bale sent a cross in that Benzema vollied wide early on and Real Madrid were in the driving seat for those earyl exchanges. The tangible result they needed from that pressure came on eight minutes when Carvajal chased down a pass on the endline, rounded Paulista and fired a ball off Wass' head which he sent to the roof of the net.

It was more of the same from Real Madrid even after that goal with Valencia struggling to find their way out from thier opponent's press.

Valencia improved massively in the second half and had chances with Santi Mina driving a shot over the bar, Gabriel Paulista firing a shot over and Michy Batsuayi also seeing a shot saved by Thibaut Courtois, who was quick off his line.

Real Madrid, under increasing pressure, had chances too with Asensio misses one before a number of their attacker conspired to miss another good chance in the penalty area.

As Valencia smelt blood, Real Madrid sniffed out chances on the counter and that was how they'd win it. Carvajal drove forward and played the ball wide to Benzema in the box after Valencia had committed most of their might to a forward move. He sent it back into Vazquez, who finished into the side netting to make it 2-0 as Valencia showed their hand and were beaten.

Marcelino said he was proud of his players after the game and while it never really exploded to life, it was certainly tactically interesting with Real Madrid finishing the chances that came to them.

Real Madrid vs Valencia live online: match updates

Real Madrid vs Valencia live online: preview

Real Madrid welcome Valencia to the Santiago Bernabeu a month after their last home game when they beat Valladolid in the league. They return to their stomping ground with many changes since that game a month back with Solari now the permanent manager and welcome a Valencia side who are pushing for Europe themselves after a disappointing start to their campaign.  Kick-off is at 20:45 CET.

Injuries continue to hurt Real Madrid'd continuity and they are without Kroos, Casemiro and Marcelo for the visit of Valencia.  They will field a makeshift midfield on display on Saturday night with Llorente and Ceballos likely to play alongside Modric while Reguilon willy likely play at left-back in Marcelo's stead. Isco returns to the squad but Lucas Vazquez looks set to keep his place after a good showing against Roma as he continues to keep both Isco and Asensio at bay for now.

Valencia last visited the Bernabeu and lost 4-1 last season. Ronaldo scored twice that day and he is off plying his trade in Italy so at least they won't have to worry about that. Marcelino's side have been knocked out of the Champions League and while they could still qualify for the Europa League, they will throw all their weight behind a push for European football next year via domestic success. They are coming off the first home win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano but sit 13th even though they are just three points off sixth. They are without Rodrigo with Murillo, Cheryshev and Ruben Vezo also out injured.