Gary Neville's search for his first La Liga win as Valencia boss continued on Sunday evening with a home match against Rafael Benitez's Real Madrid.
The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute when Karim Benzema converted from inside the box, but Valencia were level in the final moments of the first period when Dani Parejo registered from the penalty spot.
Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men in the 68th minute when Mateo Kovacic was sent from the field for a late challenge on Joao Cancelo, moments after Cristiano Ronaldo had a strong penalty shout turned down.
The visitors regained the lead in the 82nd minute through Gareth Bale, but Valencia were on terms less than 60 seconds later when Paco Alcacer headed home from close range and that was where the scoring ended at the Mestalla.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla as Valencia welcome Real Madrid. Gary Neville is still searching for his first league win as Los Che boss and the Englishman will come up against a former teammate – Cristiano Ronaldo – this evening. It has all the makings of a fascinating match as Neville pits his managerial wits against a certain Rafael Benitez!
H2H! Neville really needs a win, but to suggest that the omens are not great for his Valencia side this evening would be putting it mildly. Indeed, Valencia have only won one of their last 12 league games against Real Madrid – losing seven times in the process. What's more, at the Mestalla, Valencia have only one win against Los Blancos in the last six matches. However, that success (2-1) occurred in the corresponding league game last season. It is a big ask for Neville tonight!
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Neville will be learning about his squad with each training session, so who is in the XI here...
TEAMS:
VALENCIA: Domenech; Barragan, Abdennour, Santos, Orban; Parejo, Danilo, Gomes; Cancelo, Alcacer, De Paul
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Kovacic; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
So there we have it. Valencia are still without the services of Jose Gaya, Sofiane Feghouli and Shkodran Mustafi, who remain on the injury list. It appears that Los Che will operate in a 4-3-3 formation, but the duo either side of Paco Alcacer - Rodrigo de Paul and Joao Cancelo - will be expected to help out their back four. Dani Parejo and Andre Gomes both start in the middle of the park.
As for Real Madrid, Benitez has a healthy list of options at the moment, with Dani Carvajal the only senior first-team player that is currently unavailable. Sergio Ramos comes back into the team alongside Pepe, while Mateo Kovacic is brought into the midfield ahead of James Rodriguez, who is only on the bench, as is Isco. The 'BBC' all start in the final third for Los Blancos.
The teams are in and we are now little over 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Valencia. In truth, Valencia are struggling a touch at the moment. Neville watched from the stands as Los Che held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in the league at the start of December, but they have only won one from five since then and that was against lower-league Barakaldo in the Copa del Rey.
In La Liga, Los Che have drawn with both Getafe and Eibar and as mentioned, were beaten 1-0 at impressive Villarreal last time out. Neville also lost his first Champions League game in charge at home to Lyon, which eliminated the Spanish side from the group stages of the competition. A disappointing league season to date has left the 2004 Spanish champions in 11th position in the table.
Indeed, Valencia will enter this match a massive 11 points off the top four and that task is looking more difficult with each passing game. They have won just five of their 17 league games this season, drawing seven and losing the other five. Five defeats from 17 is not exactly disastrous form, but they have simply dropped too many points in games that they really should have won.
Valencia have actually only conceded 15 league goals this term, however, which is the same number as Barcelona and one fewer than Real Madrid. It would be easy to say that they have struggled down the other end with just 21 scored, but Atletico have only netted 25 in the league this season and they currently top the division. It is small margins and Neville will know that all too well.
As for Real Madrid, it will be an emotional night for their manager Benitez, who is returning to the club that he coached between 2001 and 2004. The 55-year-old led Los Che to two league titles (2001-02, 2003-04) during his time at the Mestalla, in addition to the UEFA Cup in 2004. Ahead of the match, Benitez said that he is "very grateful" for the time that he spent at Valencia.
Benitez is expected to get a good reception this evening, but the Spaniard has a fractured relationship with the Real Madrid faithful. It has been claimed that Benitez's style of football does not suit Real Madrid, but victory for Los Blancos this evening would move them level on points with second-place Barcelona and just two points behind the league leaders Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish giants have won 11 of their 17 league games this season, drawing three and losing three, while they have scored the most goals (45). That total is a little generous, however, considering that 10 of those came in one match against Rayo Vallecano last month. They all count, however, and Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his criticism, has netted 25 times in 23 games this season.
RESULT! Villarreal have joined Real Madrid on 36 points in La Liga after winning 2-1 at Deportivo. The Yellow Submarine are now just five points off the top! Stunning from Marcelino's men!
Real Madrid were beaten 1-0 at Villarreal in their last away league match, but have since responded with victories over Rayo (10-2) and Real Sociedad (3-1). They have a decent run of games after this one and victory this evening would set them up nicely for the month of January, where they have fixtures against Deportivo La Coruna, Sporting Gijon, Real Betis and Espanyol.
Los Blancos are of course also still in the Champions League and will face Roma in the first leg of their last-16 clash next month. Alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich, they are considered as the favourites to win the European Cup, but there will be no Copa del Rey trophy this season after Benitez's side were thrown out of the cup for fielding an ineligible player against Cadiz.
Here are some pre-match thoughts from Neville, who was questioned by Sky Sports News on the threat of his former teammate Ronaldo to Valencia tonight: "I've not spent a massive amount of time thinking about him, and that's not paying disrespect to him. When you're playing against Cristiano Ronaldo you can plan all you like for it, but on his day he can do something special; a free-kick from 40 yards, something ridiculous on the ball. I'm more thinking about the positions the defenders need to be in to give themselves the best chances of stopping him, and the midfielders."
Ronaldo played alongside Neville at Manchester United between 2003 and 2009, helping the English club win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups and the Champions League. Ronaldo has only won one league title since arriving at Real Madrid, however, which is incredible when considering the number of goals he has scored – 338 in 323 appearances.
The Neville boys look in the mood tonight...
PREDICTION! Unfortunately, I think that Neville's wait for his first win as Valencia boss will continue. It could be a tight game for long spells, but I look at both teams, both benches and I am finding it difficult to see Real Madrid losing. A draw would not surprise me, but I fancy Real Madrid to win 2-1.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period of action. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be important. Valencia need their supporters to stay with them tonight. Right, the visitors kick things off at the Mestalla...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, as expected. Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with three members of their back four enjoying an early touch. You sense Valencia need to start fast here.
Marcelo drives forward for Real Madrid, but is taken out by Cancelo, who will be expected to help out at both ends of the field. It is the visitors that are playing the early football as Ronaldo links with Modric in the final third, but Abdennour is across to clear before Alcacer breaks forward.
As expected, it has been a bitty start to the match, with Real Madrid having most of the ball and Valencia attempting to put the pressure on. Bale links with Ronaldo in the final third, but Gomes steps across to challenge the Portuguese, before Valencia win a free kick deep in their own half.
CHANCE! Real Madrid have the first chance of the match as Bale drives down the left before setting up Benzema, who finds Danilo, but his strike from just inside the box is over the bar!
PENALTY SHOUT! Alcacer goes down inside the Real Madrid box after meeting a super pass from Cancelo, but the referee says no spot kick. The Los Che forward collided with both Pepe and Navas in what was an untidy challenge. For me, no spot kick though!
This game is starting to warm up as both teams commit players in the final third. Danilo whips a super cross towards Bale inside the Valencia box, but the Welshman cannot make proper contract and it is eventually cleared. Valencia do not look all that secure at the back this evening!
Some slack defending from Valencia allows Bale to find a pass into Benzema, but the Frenchman was never in full control and Cancelo was across to clear. Real Madrid on top at the moment.
CHANCE! Gomes has a low cross blocked for a corner as the home side venture forward and the resulting corner is met by Parejo, but his header glances wide of the post!
Valencia are struggling at the back here as they continue to relinquish possession of the ball, but Real Madrid have not yet been able to take advantage despite taking up a number of good positions. The visitors deliver another corner towards Ramos, but the ball is with Domenech.
Valencia have a free kick just outside the box as Kroos brings De Paul to the ground...
... Parejo takes, but his effort is straight into the wall.
Ramos has words with the referee as Ronaldo is chopped down by Danilo, who has been very close to the Portuguese in the opening 16 minutes. It is a fascinating tactical battle here.
GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
That is so very special. Real Madrid take the lead in the 16th minute as Benzema combines with both Bale and Ronaldo before finishing into the bottom corner. It was a super flick from Ronaldo that played in Benzema and the Frenchman had the presence to finish in the bottom corner!
Abdennour was at fault for that Real Madrid goal after being robbed of the possession, but Benzema still had plenty to do when Ronaldo found him inside the box. Valencia need to be really careful that this game does not get away from them as Real Madrid continue to dominate.
Valencia have not actually been beaten at home in the league this season, but Real Madrid really look in the mood tonight. In truth, the hosts have not had a chance of note in the opening 22 minutes and it is Los Blancos that continue to look the most likely to score the game's second goal.
Benzema takes a late challenge from Gomes, but the referee is not interested in issuing a yellow card and the tension continues to rise as Cancelo clashes with Kovacic near the touch-line.
Valencia just need to be careful that they do not lose their heads here. The last thing they need is to go down to 10 men against this Real Madrid outfit. Marcelo once again drives forward for the visitors after being allowed to run, but Santos is across at the vital moment to hack clear!
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Real Madrid are still very much in control of the possession here. There have not been many clear chances, however, and the opening goal came from a wonderful piece of team play involving Bale, Ronaldo the goal-scorer Benzema.
Nervous moment in the Real Madrid defence as Marcelo attempts to head back to his goalkeeper, but Navas has to scramble across and needs a hand from Ramos before claiming!
Cancelo breaks down the right for Valencia before delivering towards the far post, but it is too strong for Alcacer in the middle. Neville has plenty of attacking options on his bench this evening and might feel that his lone centre-forward needs more help in the final third here.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Cancelo to equalise for Valencia after meeting a wonderful cross from De Paul, but the Portuguese heads wide of the post! Should have scored!
Valencia cannot really afford to miss chances of that nature and it might well come back to haunt them in this match. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at the Mestalla.
The Real Madrid players are coming in for some tough treatment at the moment and Bale is the latest player to be chopped down. Still no yellow cards, however, which is a big surprise!
Modric is being afforded far too much space in the middle of the park at the moment, with the likes of Gomes and Danilo unable to close the space. Marcelo continues to cause problems down the left, meanwhile, and Real Madrid's corner count rises as Santos blocks behind.
Modric pops one high and wide as Real have another shooting chance.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Gomes dances into the penalty area before attempting to pick out the corner, but he misses from close range! It was super work from De Paul in the build-up, but the midfielder could not beat Navas as the angle shortened!
CHANCE! Abdennour looks certain to tap home from close range after a corner causes all sorts of problems inside the Real Madrid box, but Pepe just does enough to ease his fellow centre-back off the ball. The home side want a penalty, but the referee is not interested!
This is much better from the home side as they force corner after corner here.
Bale carries the ball down the right for Real Madrid before attempting to beat the Valencia stopper from a wide angle, but Domenech is on hand to collect. Modric is back on the field following a period of treatment and looks fine as he darts all over the park to close down!
PENALTY VALENCIA!
BOOKING! Pepe (Real Madrid) is booked for bringing Gomes to the ground inside the box. Massive chance for the home side to level the scores late in the first period!
GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Real Madrid (Parejo, pen)
Parejo rolls his effort into the bottom corner - super spot kick and we are all level!
HALF-TIME: Valencia 1-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Benzema sent Real Madrid into a 16th-minute lead at the Mestalla, but Valencia levelled the scores in the final stages of the first period when Parejo netted from the penalty spot. Real Madrid were much the better team for long spells, but Valencia certainly improved as the half developed.
STATS! Real Madrid have had more of the possession with 58%, while they have had eight attempts, but just one of those was on target. Valencia, meanwhile, have had seven attempts, but again, just one on target. Just the one yellow - Pepe for bringing Gomes down for the spot kick.
BENCH WATCH! Valencia have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Fuego, Mina, Rodrigo, Negredo and Piatti all in reserve. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Isco, Rodriguez and Casemiro. Plenty of talent on the sidelines!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. More of the same from the first half please! It is Valencia that resume the action at the Mestalla...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as things develop in Valencia.
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Barragan fells Bale...
... Bale takes the set piece, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Ronaldo actually let the Welshman take that one from a central area, which is quite incredible in itself.
Possession football from Real Madrid as they pass and probe in the final third of the field. Ronaldo carries the ball down the left before finding Benzema, who delivers into Marcelo, but Santos is across to make a wonderful block. That is super, super defending from the Brazilian.
MATCH PIC!
Real Madrid come close once again as Marcelo drives down the left before poking a low cross into Benzema, but Domenech is on hand to claim. Not too much from Valencia going forward at the moment, which is creating tension in the stands. It is a cracking game at the moment.
I would be really surprised if there was not at least one more goal in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Marcelo has a penalty shout this time as he goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Nothing there in the challenge with Barragan.
BOOKING! Barragan (Valencia) is booked for simulation. That is really harsh following a clash with Ramos. It was not a penalty, but a dive? Not for me! Ramos is still down here...
... Ramos is back on his feet and play continues, with Real Madrid driving into the final third through Bale, who attempts to pick out Benzema, but Santos is on hand to head clear.
Still no movement on either bench, but we are entering the period of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Both sides have plenty of talent on the bench.
Danilo fires straight at Domenech as Real Madrid break forward once again.
SAVE! Navas is forced into action for Real Madrid to palm a super strike from Gomes over the crossbar. That strike had all sorts of dip on it! Navas almost misjudged the flight there!
MATCH PIC!
Ronaldo hammers one over the crossbar after controlling a high ball outside the box. Real Madrid are preparing to make their first change of the match here - Vasquez...
... REAL MADRID SUB! Vasquez replaces Benzema.
RED CARD! KOVACIC!
Real Madrid have just had a strong penalty shout turned down and moments later, the away side are reduced to 10 men when Kovacic dives into Cancelo. Terrible challenge there!
Wow - some last couple of minutes. Ronaldo went down inside the box under a challenge from both the Valencia goalkeeper and Abdennour, but the referee was not interested. Valencia broke down the other end and Cancelo was chopped down by Kovacic. What a 60 seconds here!
CHANCE! Navas takes too long to clear his lines and the Real Madrid goalkeeper is closed down by Alcacer, but the striker's effort just rebounds wide of the post!
Domenech gets down low to deny Modric, who had a go from outside the box.
Little under 15 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 1-1. So much has happened in this second period, but both goals came in the first half. You still get the feeling that there is another goal in this contest as both teams continue to commit players in the final third.
It appears that Valencia are preparing to make a change here as Rodrigo receives instructions on the sideline. It is Real Madrid that are looking the most likely to score another goal here.
VALENCIA SUB! Rodrigo replaces Orban.
It appears that Valencia will play a three-man defence for the final 10 minutes here, which is not much of a surprise due to their one-man advantage. The home side have not really had a chance to score a second since Kovacic left the field, but there is still plenty of football to be played here.
GOAL! Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid (Bale)
What a massive goal that is! Real Madrid regain the lead here as Bale rises above everyone and angles a header into the top corner. It was a super delivery from Kroos to find the Welshman!
GOAL! Valencia 2-2 Real Madrid (Alcacer)
Oh my word! Valencia are back on terms almost immediately as Alcacer heads home from close range after Rodrigo beat Ramos at the far post! Sensational scenes at the Mestalla here!
VALENCIA SUB! Parejo is replaced by Negredo.
Well, this has been a cracking game and we are not finished here!
VALENCIA SUB! De Paul is replaced by Fuego.
Pepe rises inside the Valencia box as the away side come close once again, but the referee had blown for a free kick and Los Che can resume with the ball. Still time for a winning goal here.
The fourth official shows three minutes of added time here.
Good pressure from Real Madrid in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but Valencia stand strong to clear the danger on both occasions. Tense!
Barragan goes down with a knock after clearing yet another corner and Valencia are being forced to hold on a little bit here. Real Madrid want a winner, there is no question of that!
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Valencia to win this game, but after breaking through on goal, Negredo fires straight at the goalkeeper! Bale then breaks down the other end and fires over the crossbar. What an incredible end to this match, but that should be just about that!
FULL-TIME: Valencia 2-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period at the Mestalla to a close with the points being shared in a 2-2 draw between Valencia and 10-man Real Madrid - what an incredible game! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
