SM
Bayern vs. Augsburg: 19 hrs
Upcoming predictions and previews
VL
La Liga | Gameweek 30
Apr 3, 2019 at 8.30pm UK
 
RM

2-1

Guedes (35'), Garay (83')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Benzema (90')

Real Madrid slump to first defeat since Zidane return

:Headline: Result: Real Madrid slump to first defeat since Zidane return: ID:355253: from db_amp
The French manager had overseen two successive wins.

Zinedine Zidane suffered his first defeat since retaking the reins at Real Madrid as Goncalo Guedes and Ezequiel Garay handed Valencia a 2-1 victory at the Mestalla.

The Frenchman had overseen two wins since stepping back into the Real hotseat following the sacking of former team-mate Santiago Solari last month.

But his 100 per cent record vanished and any momentum gained from his arrival at least halted as Real succumbed to their ninth LaLiga loss of the season.

Guedes gave Valencia – unbeaten in the league since January 5 – the lead 10 minutes before the interval with a fine strike.

That looked set to prove the difference between the sides but former Real defender Garay, who made 31 appearances for the club between 2008 and 2011, headed home seven minutes from time.

It proved pivotal for Valencia as Real striker Karim Benzema pulled one back in the third minute of time added-on – although there was no time left to try to grab a share of the spoils.

There was no room in the starting line-up for Gareth Bale, who was dropped to the bench, as was Isco, despite the midfielder scoring in the wins over Celta Vigo and Huesca.

Keylor Navas, meanwhile, was restored in goal in place of Zidane's son Luca although the Costa Rican arguably should have done more to prevent Valencia's opener.

Following a pedestrian opening half an hour, Valencia had a penalty appeal turned down when the video assistant referee backed up Santiago Jaime's on-field assertion that the ball had come off Sergio Ramos' chest and not his hand.

The hosts went ahead almost immediately afterwards, though, as Guedes collected the ball inside the area from Carlos Soler before dispatching at Navas' near post.

Kevin Gameiro, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Rodrigo all missed the target when well-placed as Real were at sixes and sevens before the half-time whistle allowed them to regain their composure.

Navas atoned for his error by saving from Soler on the resumption while the influential Rodrigo skipped past a couple of challenges but was once again unable to find the target with his effort.

Bale and Isco were both introduced just after the hour mark in an attempt to stem the tide but it was Valencia who looked the more dangerous side going forwards.

They should have been out of sight long before Garay returned to haunt his former club in the 83rd minute, heading past Navas at the back post from Dani Parejo's cross.

Benzema halved the deficit deep into injury time with a header from Bale's corner but it proved too little, too late.

amp_article__355253 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-04-03 22:23:04:
html db last update - 2019-04-03 22:23:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Read more about Zinedine Zidane Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .