Welcome to the cfrealmadrid.com. It’s time for Super Copa De Espana Semi Final and we are here with the match preview of Valencia vs Real Madrid. Real Madrid are going to face Valencia in Saudi Arabia for a brand new Super Copa De Espana. Elsewhere, Barcelona is going to face Atletico Madrid in the 2nd Semi Final of the Super Copa. It seems like the stage is set for an El Classico in the final of Super Copa.
Coming back to our opponents, we faced Valencia in La Liga less than a month ago and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. To be honest, Valencia was the better side in our previous meeting and we were lucky to get 1 point in that game in the last minutes of the match. This shows that Valencia is a decent side and can certainly trouble us. They have the tools to hurt us and knock us out of the competition. The important thing to note is that we will be without our first choice forwards as Hazard, Benzema, and Bale are out of the squad due to injuries.
So, we are going to be more vulnerable than before. Also, the game is in Saudi Arabia which will certainly have an effect on our mentality. However, we should stand firm and play out our hearts. We should be seeking revenge against Valencia for our previous meeting and show the world why we are the best team in the world. We should aspire to win Copa De Espana. I know it’s a minor trophy, but it’s a trophy and I would love to see in our cabinet. Anyways, let’s start our Match Preview of Valencia vs Real Madrid.
Valencia vs Real Madrid Match Preview:
Kick Off Time:
Valencia vs Real Madrid will be kicking off at 09:00 PM as per local time in Spain. You can check the Kick Off Timings for your respective region in the following image:
Squad List:
The club has issued a list of 24 players who traveled to Saudi Arabia to take part in Super Copa De Espana. Here are the names of the players:
- Goalkeepers: Courtois, Areola, and Altube.
- Defenders: Carvajal, Militao, Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Ordriazola, and Mendy.
- Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, James, and Isco.
- Forwards: Lucas Vasquez, Jovic, Brahim, Mariano, Vinicious Jr., and Rodrygo.
Expected Lineup:
Goalkeeper:
Thibaut Courtois is going to start ahead of Areola even though it’s a cup competition game. Courtois is finally beginning to settle in Madrid and finding his best form. He is already topping the clean sheets charts in La Liga with 9 cleans sheets in 16 games. So, it wouldn’t be wise to rest him while he is in such an incredible form. Most importantly, Valencia is going to play with a high line considering our vulnerability in the attack which is another reason to start Courtois in this game.
Defenders:
Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are expected to start on Right and Left Back slots respectively. Carvajal continues to be superb at Right Back with consistent performances. We need him to be on his both offensively and defensively. Carvajal will not have the responsibility to feed quality crosses in the box but also link up with Rodrygo on the Right Flank.
Mendy has made the Left Back spot his own in absence of Marcelo. He is fantastic on the left side and will surely cause problems for Valencia. We need him to play his natural game as an out-and-out defender because Valencia will most likely play with a high line. We need him to sit deep and absorb the pressure while looking for an opportunity of a counter-attack.
Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos will be the most obvious defensive duo for Los Blancos. Our Captain, Sergio Ramos, is back from a suspension and would surely lead us in this high-pressure game. We need him to up the morale of the player and because he is a warrior who fights till the final whistle.
Raphael Varane is a key figure in our defense. He shouldered the burden of the team in our last game and scored a brilliant headed goal. He acted like a real leader in the absence of Ramos. We surely need to see more such performances for Varane.
Midfielders:
Casemiro, Valverde, and Kroos will most likely start the game against Valencia. Toni Kroos has returned to his best after a patchy couple of seasons. He has been in good form recently and has to show the ability that made him one of the world’s top midfielders.
Meanwhile, we have Casemiro who is one of the best holding midfielder in the world without a doubt. He is the kind of player who does not shy away from doing the dirty work. Moreover, his steel in midfield allows everyone in front of him to do the offensive work around the opposition’s box. Most importantly, he is our powerhouse and has been performing to the very best level right from the start of the season. It won’t be wrong to say that he is the backbone of the team.
Our third midfielder, Federico Valverde is a very special talent. He has taken the place of Luka Modric this season and has already become one of the most important players in the squad. His pressing and intensity are vital for Madrid. He is always running up and down the pitch putting effort defensively as well as offensively. Valverde is a proper box-to-box player with superb passing abilities.
Forwards:
As we mentioned earlier, Hazard, Benzema, and Bale are out of the squad due to injuries. So, we don’t have any first-choice forward in our team. We are surely going to miss our key players in the attack. However, looking on the bright side, it’s a perfect opportunity for our youngsters to rise and prove their worth. It would love to see Vinicius and Rodrygo starting on the wings with Jovic in the center. I am eager to see that Brazilian connection between our teenagers. However, it’s highly unlikely that Zidane will start Vinicius ahead of Isco.
Personally, I think, Zidane will opt for the Diamond formation with Isco in a free role, Jovic in the number 9 slot, and Rodrygo operating in the wide areas on either side of the pitch. Isco has been in good form recently and we would surely need a master class from him in this fixture. Meanwhile, our main focus will be on the young Rodrygo to carry the ball in the final third to score goals and create chances as well. He has already shown his ability to perform on a high level with a hattrick in the Champions League.
Well, I have saved the best for the last. Luka Jovic will have a rare chance to show his worth in Super Copa De Espana. With Benzema out of the squad due a muscular problem, it’s a perfect opportunity for Jovic to show his class and win the hearts of the fans and the manager. Jovic has hardly played any minutes since the start of the season. He has a huge responsibility to carry our attack. He will not get a similar opportunity again. So, he has to make use of this chance and prove his worth.
Score Predictions:
It’s going to be a very tough game for us especially, without our main forwards. However, I am putting my faith in our youth and truly believe that they can lead us to a victory. So, my prediction is Valencia 1 – 2 Real Madrid.
Verdict:
Well, guys, that’s all for the Match Preview of Valencia vs Real Madrid. I hope you like our Match Preview. Do you agree with our Lineups and Score Predictions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Until next time, Hala Madrid!
