Real Madrid welcomed Valencia to the Spanish capital on Tuesday in the first leg of their quarter-final clash in the Copa del Rey.
Valencia twice came close to opening their tally in the first period, but Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the half to leave Madrid ahead at the interval.
The away side remained the better side for large periods of the second half, but they were made to pay late on when Andres Guardado could only turn into his own net, leaving Madrid with a 2-0 lead ahead of the second leg.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our first Copa del Rey commentary of the week comes from the Bernabeu as the defending La Liga champions attempt to secure a first-leg lead ahead of their trip to the Mestalla. These two sides will be seeing a lot of each other in the coming weeks, with a league match to be contested at the weekend before the second leg, making it three back-to-back encounters between the pair.
Real Madrid have remarkably won just two of their last six matches in all competitions. That run of form has seen them fall 18 points off the title race, while they also sit some seven points behind capital rivals Atletico Madrid, who currently occupy second position. They have won just 11 of their 19 league fixtures, the same as Real Betis and just one more than Rayo Vallecano.
That said, Jose Mourinho’s side are currently on a 32-match unbeaten run in all competitions on their home patch, meaning that they will be confident of taking a lead into the second leg of the quarter-final. Should Madrid overcome Valencia in two legs, then they will face either Barcelona or Malaga in the semi-final stage of the competition.
TEAMS:
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Essien, Albiol, Carvalho, Marcelo; Modric, Khedira, Alonso; Ozil, Ronaldo, Benzema
VALENCIA: Guaita; Rami, Pereira, Ruiz, Guardado; Banega, Costa, Parejo, Piatti; Jonas, Soldado
Madrid badly missed Cristiano Ronaldo at the weekend during their 0-0 draw against Osasuna. In fact, they had just one attempt on target against the basement club in La Liga and that did not come until the 88th minute. A clean sheet will have at least provided a positive, however, with the club starting to leak goals in the Spanish league.
In Madrid's way this evening is a Valencia side that appears to have turned a corner since appointing Ernesto Valverde. They struggled in the early stages of the season, but as mentioned, they have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, a run of form that has seen them move into seventh position in the table. In fact, they are just one point off fifth spot and four from fourth.
They will once more look to Roberto Soldado to score the goals this evening with the striker having struck eight goals in his last eight matches for the club. He will be needed if Valencia are to improve on their recent record against Madrid, having lost five of their seven meetings with the club. However, the points were shared in the league fixture in the Spanish capital at the beginning of the season.
Let’s take a closer look at how both teams have fared in the league this season. Real Madrid have the second best attack with 45 goals scored in 19 matches, while they have the fifth-best defensive record, conceding 20 goals. That is in contrast to Valencia who have scored 27 goals and conceded 27 in the same number of matches.
Right, we are just about five minutes from kickoff which can mean only one thing, time for my pre-match prediction. I just cannot see any possible way how Madrid do not win this match. They have been poor in recent weeks, but based on the strength of the team they have named, they are taking the competition seriously. I am backing a 3-1 home win.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch. The pre-match handshakes have been completed and the flags have been exchanged. Just a quick recap of the main team news. Madrid recall Cristiano Ronaldo, but Sergio Ramos is still suspended meaning that Michael Essien continues in defence. Valencia, meanwhile, name a full-strength side with Soldado flanked by Jonas and Pablo Piatti.
Tonight’s referee is Cesar Muniz. Let’s hope that we are discussing the match and not the officials come the end of the evening. Just a reminder that this is the first of three successive matches between Real Madrid and Valencia. The pair meet in the league at the weekend before the second leg next week. Here we go then. The away side get the action underway on this mild evening in the Spanish capital.
Strong start from the home side as Ronaldo darts past two challenges before driving to the edge of the box, but Costa fouls the Portuguese in the act of shooting. The resulting free kick is taken by Ronaldo, but his effort is just wide of the post. Explosive opening to proceedings in this Copa del Rey tie.
Valencia attempt to launch an attack of their own down the other end as Banega combines with Piatti before the Argentine fires a low cross into the box, but Iker Casillas comes out to clear the danger. A reminder that Jose Mourinho has made six changes to the Madrid team this evening following their 0-0 draw with Osasuna at the weekend. Decent tempo to the early stages of the match with the home side controlling the possession.
Costa just needs to be careful here as he dives into a challenge with Ronaldo once more, but this time the referee does not blow his whistle. It is obvious that Valencia's game-plan is get in and around the Portuguese this evening, no surprise there. Ronaldo embarks on a run down the left moments later, but the ever-impressive Adil Rami comes across to clear.
Half-chance for Karim Benzema as Mesut Ozil picks up possession before sliding a pass behind the Valencia defence, but the Frenchman just cannot collect with Guaita in close proximity. Valencia attempt to attack down the other end as Jonas finds Soldado, but the Spaniard cannot turn and he is forced out wide.
Decent possession from Valencia in the last few moments with Guardado and Pereira joining the attack, but it breaks down before Ronaldo is felled down the other end once more. As expected, the free kick is taken by the Portuguese, but his effort is just high of the crossbar. We still await the first real chance of the match with 10 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side to take the lead as Benzema finds Luka Modric in the penalty area, but the Croatian can only fire his effort wide of the target. That really should be the opening goal. It is no surprise that he has scored just one goal this season with finishing like that.
Half-chance for Valencia down the other end as Carvalho fells Jonas outside the penalty area, but the resulting delivery from Dani Parejo is poor. The away side have a penalty shout moments later as Albiol appears to handle in the box, but replays confirm that the ball hit more of the Spaniard's chest than arm. End-to-end football at the moment.
Madrid again threaten as Ronaldo finds Marcelo down the left before the Brazilian fires a cross into the penalty area, but Guaita is out to collect once more. Valencia attempt to create an opportunity down the other end as Soldado finds Pereira with a header, but his cross is headed clear by Carvalho. Really good atmosphere inside the ground this evening.
Nothing much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with both sides slightly sloppy in possession. Valencia continue to demonstrate an attacking threat with Jonas and Piatti operating within touching distance of Soldado, but thus far the Madrid defence has been on top. Modric's chance remains the game's outstanding opportunity.
Half-chance for Valencia once more as Costa strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but Casillas was always favourite as he palms the ball to safety. The pressure remains as Banega fires a high cross into the box, but once more Albiol is on hand to head clear. The away side are gaining confidence with each passing moment as Jonas tests Casillas with a clos-range header.
Valencia continue to dominate the possession with Banega, Parejo and Costa enjoying plenty of the ball in the midfield. However, Madrid remain a serious threat on the counter with the pace of Ronaldo and the movement of Benzema. Marcelo attempts to find the former with a long pass, but Rami is comfortable in clearing the danger. The home supporters have gone awfully quiet during this period.
You just get the feeling that Valencia really fancy it this evening. Madrid just do not look comfortable with their midfield entirely detached from Ronaldo and Benzema. It has been some time since the home side had any sort of meaningful pressure in the Valencia half. Now I have said that they will probably score. So I apologise to all Valencia supporters if that is the case.
Incredibly contentious decision here as Banega fires a pass behind the Madrid defence towards Soldado, but the offside flag is raised. Replays have shown that the striker was in fact level with the final defender. That is a real let-off for the home side. Madrid have the ball in the back of the net moments later as Benzema chips Guaita, but the offside flag was raised.
Again Madrid attempt to work a way into the Valencia box as Ozil combines with Benzema, but the return pass towards the Frenchman is just too long and Guaita comes out to collect the danger. There has not been too many clear chances in the opening 27 minutes of this match, but Madrid have just started to enjoy more of the possession. It is so delicately poised.
Another half-chance for the home side as Essien drives into the penalty area before striking a powerful effort towards goal, but it was always moving high of the target. Once more Ronaldo let's his frustration known as he waves his arms in the air. The Portuguese may be scoring goals at the moment, but he is not entirely happy in the Spanish capital. That is obvious. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side to take the lead as Ozil combines with Ronaldo before driving into the penalty area, but Piatti comes across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. That is defending of the highest order from the midfielder. Valencia attack down the other end with Jonas, but the offside flag is raised against the Brazilian.
Again it's good football from Valencia as Soldado drives down the left before winning a corner from Albiol. The resulting set piece is taken by Piatti, but Albiol rises to clear the danger. Another corner follows moments later, but the delivery fails to beat the first man. Little over 10 minutes remaining of the half in this tightly-contested Copa del Rey affair.
It is worth reminding you that away goals count double in the Copa del Rey and therefore Valencia will feel confident ahead of the second leg if they score and suffer a narrow defeat this evening. You just get the feeling that if Madrid score before the interval, then it could be two or three. But the longer it remains goalless, the more confidence that the away side will gain.
Wonderful effort from Jonas as the Brazilian curls one towards the top corner, but it just moves high of the crossbar. Casillas was static there, if that was on target then Valencia would certainly be in the lead. There is just something not right about this Madrid team at the moment as they continue to struggle to string passes together in the final third. There is simply no fluidity.
CHANCE! OH MY WORD. The best chance of the match by some distance as Piatti finds Jonas in the penalty area, but the playmaker can only fire his effort straight at Casillas from close range. What an opportunity to hand his side the lead. Valencia look the more likely to take the lead as we approach the interval.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Valencia (Benzema)
What was I saying? Valencia look the most likely to score? Madrid take the lead in an instant as Khedira finds Benzema in the penalty area and the Frenchman curls his effort into the bottom corner. Stunning counter attack football from the home side. What a big couple of minutes in this match.
That is football at this level. Valencia could have scored twice in the previous few minutes, yet they find themselves behind. It is so important that they stay in the match in the next few moments. Madrid have not been too impressive this evening, but the quality is always there. Costa has long-range strike down the other end for Valencia, but it moves wide of the target.
Madrid have just settled with possession since taking the lead, but Valencia remain a threat with the pace and movement of Soldado. Ernesto Valverde will not be too disappointed with his side's performance in the opening period. He will have seen enough to know that Valencia can undo this Madrid defence.
First sign of frustration from Valencia as Pereira and Soldado exchange words following a long cross from the Portuguese defender. Half-chance for Benzema moments later as the Frenchman collects a pass from Ronaldo in the penalty area, but this time he can only fire his effort wide of the target. Little over one minute of normal time remaining in the first period.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of football at the end of the half. This match is so delicately poised ahead of the second period. Should Madrid score the next goal then you would fancy them to score three or four, but a goal for Valencia would certainly unnerve the home supporters.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Valencia
So there we have it. The referee blows his whistle and brings a fascinating opening period of football to an end. Madrid lead courtesy of a strike from Benzema, but Valencia perhaps should have already opened the scoring with two clear chances for Jonas. It has been an enthralling opening 45 minutes.
Just a reminder that the winner of this tie will face either Barcelona or Malaga in the semi-finals of the competition. With the league now gone for Madrid, the Copa del Rey, along with the Champions League, has been made a priority. But they will feel that they need to take a lead into the second leg next week.
In terms of the second period, Valencia may look to Jonathan Viera to provide some craft to their midfield. Striker Nelson Valdez is also a viable option with the forward scoring a host of important goals this season. Meanwhile, Madrid have the likes of Higuain, Di Maria and Jose Callejon in reserve. That's some bench.
Granted, Madrid are winning this evening, but there is still something not quite right in the camp. On another evening, they could have found themselves 2-0 down before opening the scoring and the mood would have been very different at the interval. Valencia will have taken some serious heart from the opening 45 minutes and it is difficult to see them not scoring. Right, we are just a couple of moments away from the second half.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. One change at the interval for Madrid with Fabio Coentrao replacing Marcelo, who has just returned from injury. A reminder that nothing will be decided this evening with the second leg taking place next week. Madrid get the second half underway.
Good start to the second period from Valencia as Piatti picks up possession before firing a low cross into the box, but it just evades Soladado before moving out for a goal kick. The resulting clearance from Casillas almost falls to Benzema in the box, but the Frenchman is chopped down by Costa, who moves into the referee's book.
Half-chance from the resulting free kick as Ozil whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Rami rises highest to clear the danger. The pressure remains as Ozil fires a cross towards Ronaldo, but it moves out for another corner before the danger is eventually cleared. End-to-end opening five minutes to the second period.
Valencia create a chance of their own as Jonas collects possession outside the box before dancing past the challenge of two defenders, but the Brazilian is just crowded out at the vital moment. You have to hand it to Valencia, they are committing a host of numbers to each attack. I would be surprised if there were not more goals in the second period.
CHANCE! OH MY WORD. Glorious opportunity for Valencia to level the terms as Victor Ruiz meets a cross from Jonas, but somehow he heads over the crossbar. You simply cannot miss chances of that calibre at this level. They are almost made to pay down the other end as Ronaldo darts into the box, but he cannot find the target from close range.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with neither side able to keep hold of possession for any extended period, while a host of fouls have also slowed the tempo further. In truth, this result would not be the worst outcome for either side this evening. But with little over 35 minutes of football to play, you have to think that more goals are on the agenda.
Higuain and Di Maria are the two Madrid subs being put through their warm-ups as we approach the hour mark in the match. A half-chance does arrive for the home side as Essien fires a low cross into the box, but for once Ronaldo's touch is just too heavy and the danger is cleared by Rami. Meanwhile, the away supporters are making much of the noise as things stand.
Another contentious moment in this match as Soldado beats the offside trap before driving into the box, but the linesman raises his flag and the final moment to stop the Spaniard in his tracks. Replays have shown that the striker was onside. That is another poor decision from the official. The luck has certainly been with Madrid thus far, but that could all change.
Another half-chance for the away side as Rami meets a corner from Banega, but he can only head straight at Casillas. The pressure continues as Valencia force another corner, but Piatti's delivery is poor as it fails to beat the first man. Meanwhile, Madrid make their first change as Di Maria replaces Modric, who has struggled this evening.
Madrid create their best chance for some time as Khedira drives into the penalty area before firing a low cross towards Ronaldo, but Rami comes across to make the clearance. The resulting corner creates an opportunity for Ronaldo, but the Portuguese can only head straight at the goalkeeper. Another Madrid goal at this stage would be massive in terms of the tie.
Another half-chance arrives for Madrid as Ronaldo finds Khedira on the edge of the penalty area, but the German can only strike his effort straight at Rami. Once more, Khedira has been his side's best player this evening. Meanwhile, there is still no movement on the Valencia bench, which is not all that surprising as they continue to create chances.
Soldado attempts to beat the offside trap once more as he collects a pass from Piatti before striking against the crossbar, but once more there is a late flag from the official. However, once more, the striker was indeed onside. Quite an incredible run of decisions. You can allow the odd one or two, but he has got more wrong than right this evening.
CHANCE! Valencia should be level it really is as simple as that. It's brilliant from Soldado as the striker fires a low effort across goal, Casillas palms it straight to Jonas, but somehow the Brazilian puts it the wrong side of the post. How many more chances? They cannot keep passing up such opportunities.
Madrid have their second change of the evening as Higuain replaces Benzema. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining for the Argentine striker to make an impact. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Just what way it goes could ultimately have a huge say on the tie as a whole. It is just so delicately poised.
The pressure continues from the away side as Soldado forces two corners in quick succession, but the danger is cleared on each occasion. Madrid are really holding on at the moment. It is quite incredible that they are 1-0 down in this tie. But there is still time with more than 15 minutes remaining. Still no movement on the Valencia defence.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia (Guardado OG)
Madrid have their two-goal lead as Coentrao fires a low cross into the penalty area and Guardado can only turn into his own net. It is just so cruel on Valencia, but that is football at the highest level. Meanwhile, Valencia finally make a change as Ricardo Costa replaces Ruiz.
If ever a scoreline did not reflect a football match, then it is this evening. But unfortunately for Valencia they have just not taken their chances. Madrid have created maybe two chances in the second period and they have taken one. That is the difference. But one goal for Valencia at this stage would still give them confidence ahead of the second leg.
CHANCE! Ronaldo has a glorious chance to put Madrid 3-0 ahead on the evening as he is found by Ozil in the penalty area, but Guaita makes a wonderful save to keep the score at 2-0. That could be so important come the end of the tie. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in the first leg.
Meanwhile, Valencia make another change as Fernando Gago replaces Costa. The away side just have to keep believing in the final moments of this match. Madrid have another wonderful chance to make it three as Ronaldo drives into the penalty box, but once more Guaita makes a quite stunning save. Wow, what a couple of moments.
It's all one-way traffic at the moment with Madrid going in search of their third with long-range efforts from Ozil and Ronaldo, but it remains at 2-0. Another half-chance arrives as Di Maria dances into the box, but Rami is out to make the challenge. What a passage of play we have had in the last few minutes.
Another half-chance for the away side as Soldado meets a cross from Jonas, but once more he cannot find the target as Carvalho makes the block. The pressure remains as Rami whips a cross into the box, but again it comes to nothing. Is there another goal in this match? Valencia make their final change as Banega is replaced by Nelson Valdez.
Madrid are just closing this out at the moment as they continue to keep hold of possession in the Valencia half. Meanwhile, a run from Essien down the right wastes a few more seconds. Di Maria has the chance to move into the box moments later, but instead he keeps possession as time ticks on.
CHANCE! Stunning feet from Ozil as the German dances into the Valencia penalty area, but his final shot is just wide of the target. Little over two minutes of football remaining and Madrid still have their 2-0 lead in tact. However, they are intent on making it three as they continue to push forward.
Another half-chance for Valencia as Jonas meets a cross from Guardado, but his header is once more wide of the target. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time.
Madrid continue to dominate possession in the latter stages as they pass and probe along the edge of the Valencia penalty area. In truth, this score could have been anything this evening. The away side could have led 2-0, but they could also be 4-0 down. It has been that kind of match.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia
So there we have it. Madrid will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg next week, but it could have been ever so different had Valencia taken their chances. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more Copa del Rey football tomorrow. Until then!
