Valencia shred Real Madrid
Valencia kept their unbeaten run going as they continue to look to grab a Champions League spot, with Guedes and Garay providing their goals. Benzema got a consolation effort right at the end.
Valencia 2-1 Real Madrid: match report
Valencia shredded Real Madrid at the Mestalla on Wednesday night as they move to within a point of fourth place with Getafe in their sights.
Real Madrid were forced to confront the fact that they are a very average team once again and despite the fact that Zinedine Zidane is back, they need a major overhaul of an aging side with little motivation.
Valencia took the lead through Goncalo Guedes after 35 minutes when he struck to Keylor Navas' right and snuck it between keeper and the near post.
That came on the back of a very good spell for the home side as they piled forward every time Real Madrid were kind enough to cough up the ball, which was becoming increasingly often.
Ezequiel Garay wrapped it up on 83 minutes when he headed home from a Dani Parejo corner as Real Madrid pushed forward for the equaliser and looked increasingly suspect at the back.
Karim Benzema got one back for the visitors from a Real Madrid corner as he headed home but as the clock ticked over the alotted injury time, they barely had time to touch the ball again before the referee was blowing the full time whistle.
Valencia are unbeaten now in 17 games with Real Madrid facing into another week of questions about potential signings and the 'cleaning' of the squad. They welcome Eibar to the Bernabéu on Sunday as they get closer to the end of what has become a miserable season. Valencia travel to play Rayo knowing three points could send them into the top four for the first time all season.
Valencia vs Real Madrid live online: match updates
Valencia vs Real Madrid live online: preview
Real Madrid continue their aimless march towards the end of the season with Zinedine Zidane admitting for the first time after the victory over Huesca on Sunday night that they wouldn't be winning anything this season. Valencia still have a Copa del Rey final to look forward to but more importanty, they are in a race with Getafe, Alaves, Sevilla and potentially Athletic Bilbao. They are possibly the in form team in Spain and site four points off Getafe, who drew on Tuesday. While Zidane can be afforded a little room to experiment, Marcelino and los Che's faithful will be hoping their's no funny business with team selection and attitude when it kicks off at 21:30 on Wednesday night.
Valencia are unbeaten in 16 games dating back to February when they lost in a Copa del Rey clash but they eventually won that tie. Their last loss in LaLiga came against Alavés at the very start of the year as they build up a head of steam at the right time. They are without Gabriel Paulista, Ruben Sobrino and full-back Cristiano Piccini.
Real Madrid are without Thibaut Courtois, which might be a good thing, as the goalkeeping debate has never fully built into what it might become. Zidane says there will be no debate next season over who his number one is, which means there might be someone sold in the summer. Luca, his son, was given a start against Huesca but Navas is expected to return against Valencia. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Raphael Varane are all back in the squad and could feature after time off at the weekend. Carvajal is back in training but couldn't make the squad and Vinicius remains out with an ankle injury.