VALENCIA (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's harrowing campaign continued as they fell to a ninth defeat in La Liga and their first since coach Zinedine Zidane returned as they were deservedly beaten 2-1 away by a resurgent Valencia on Wednesday (April 3).
Portugal international Goncalo Guedes fired Valencia into the lead in the 35th minute with a thumping shot from inside the area which was too powerful for Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Madrid had played well until conceding, but lost momentum after the goal and Valencia continued to threaten into the second half, finally doubling their lead with a header by defender Ezequiel Garay from a corner in the 83rd.
Karim Benzema headed in a consolation goal for Madrid in stoppage time, shortly after Zidane's side had a penalty decision overturned after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review ruled Sergio Ramos was offside.
Madrid are stuck in third on 57 points, 13 behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and five behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Valencia, who have reached the Copa del Rey final and the quarter-finals of the Europa League, have Champions League qualification in their sights after climbing up to fifth in the table on 46 points, one behind fourth-placed Getafe.
The win extended their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions, their longest stretch without defeat in their 100-year history.
"We know that this has been a difficult year and we are working hard to make sure we come back stronger next season and I'm sure we will," Madrid midfielder Casemiro told reporters.
"We were in control for the first half then they scored and got more confident. We worked hard in the second half and tried to get back in the game but goals are what count. This defeat is difficult for us, we know we are not doing well but we must keep working."
It was Zidane's first away game since returning to the club after Santiago Solari was sacked last month, having won his first two games back against Celta Vigo and Huesca.
As he had promised ahead of the match, the Frenchman made sweeping changes from the team that had beaten Huesca, bringing back seven players including Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Navas as Isco and Gareth Bale dropped to the bench.
Madrid dominated the early stages but could not turn their possession to chances and once Valencia took the lead through Guedes they rarely looked like letting it slip.
Marcelino's side missed a gilt-edged chance to seal victory when Kevin Gameiro attempted a backheel pass towards Carlos Soler when it would have been easier to shoot at goal.
But Argentine Garay made up for his team mate's wastefulness by effectively sealing the points with a towering header from captain Dani Parejo's corner.
Egypt striker Mohamed Salah has been named African Footballer of the Year for the second successive year at the Confederation of African Football's 2018 awards ceremony in Dakar on Tuesday. "I have dreamt of winning this award since I was a child and now I have done so twice in a row," Salah said soon after receiving his trophy in Dakar.
Salah retains African football award, Football News & Top
Football: Jose Mourinho says he lacked help in Manchester United job Related Story. Football: Where next for Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid have an itch to scratch? China and France are options.
Should Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho part ways?
Barca on a mission to right the wrongs BARCELONA • Clement Lenglet ought to be unscarred by Barcelona's Champions League failure last season, but disappointment reverberates around the club to the extent that he feels it too.
Mission news - NewsLocker
Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa strike at Leicester Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Cardiff City - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - December 29, 2018 Leicester Citys James Maddison in action, with Cardiff Citys Sol Bamba, after missing the penalty REUTER
Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa strike at
Klopp: Liverpool 'did all we could' in Premier League race Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp applauds at the end of their English Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 12, 2019.
Premier League » News » Klopp: Liverpool 'did all we could'
Sichuan Jiuniu, its latest addition, are based in the western Chinese metropolis of Chengdu, and play their home games at the Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium. Chinese football was buoyed by an influx of funds and foreign stars after President Xi Jinping, who visited Manchester City in 2015, outlined ambitions to turn the world's most
Feisty encounter expected between Home United and Young Lions
And Milner believes the Reds' last two results are proof of how they are coming on under the German boss. "The longer the manager is here, the better we will get," he added. "You can see his style in the team more and more every time we play - that's becoming second nature to the boys.
James Milner - Wikipedia
Ram Gopal Varma courts controversy again, says he will release Lakshmi's NTR at any cost; MM Keeravani reveals #RRR music is in the works; After Arjun Suravaram, is it Karthikeya 2 for Nikhil
Odisha elections: Pipili legislator courts controversy yet again
London (AFP) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri gave the strongest hint yet that he wishes to return to Italy and probably take the Juventus job by saying he misses his friends and elderly parents. The 60-year-old former Napoli coach has been strongly linked with the Juventus job left vacant after
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Sarri - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/05/lure-of-italy-strong-says-chelseas-homesick-sarri/
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Sarri AFP June 5, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri gave the strongest hint yet that he wishes to return to Italy and probably take the Juventus job by saying he misses his friends and elderly parents.
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Sarri
Brighton 0-1 Southampton: Ralph Hassenhuttl praises Saints players after win. The striker opened his body to try and curl the ball past Ryan but Lewis Dunk was on hand to block his effort.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg strikes to give Southampton breathing
Having made his debut in 2016, Hibernian striker Maclaren netted his first Socceroos goal thanks to a deft header. Rogic's left-wing cross had plenty of pace on it and Maclaren, with his back to goal, helped it on its way into the far corner beyond Rami Hamada. Shot-shy Palestine lack creative edge
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Palestine 0 Australia 3: Maclaren and
(Reuters) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said Eden Hazard is free to leave the club if he wants to but the Italian hopes the forward stays at Stamford Bridge. Hazard has been linked with a
Chelsea News: Eden Hazard is free to leave if he wants, says
Football: Fifa says it's in regular contact with AFC over
0 comments:
Post a Comment