A suffocated Madrid and a burned Valencia

For the eighth time in the last fifteen years, Valencia turns to Salvador González, better known as Voro, harboring the hope that his football knowledge, good manners and cradle-born Valencianism will serve to defuse a crisis that is once again bringing the club closer to the abyss. from the city of Turia. The departure of Gennaro Gattuso, precipitated by the frustration of the Calabrian coach with the chaotic management of Meriton, has further inflamed the already fiery spirits of the parish with Peter Lim, the millionaire who takes refuge in Singapore while his employees try to put out the flames in Levantine territory with no other recourse than empty promises. On Tuesday, around two hundred supporters gathered at the doors of the offices shouting “Lim go home.” Such is the landscape.

The institutional stagnation has repercussions on the sporting depression of a squad that borders the relegation places, saw the winter transfer window close without signings to appease the fans and opens the cycle in the worst possible scenario: at the home of the current League champion, who appears urgently and suffocated by an infernal calendar.

“We are in the semifinals of the Cup, in the round of 16 of the Champions League and it is the most important competition, in the semifinals of a Club World Cup and in the fight for the League. We are not going to throw away any competition because this club does not do it. We have to dose the players because we have an incredible calendar. It does not stop here because the League, FIFA, the Federation and UEFA want to do their thing,” Carlo Ancelotti cried on Wednesday before issuing a notice to sailors: “If the players get tired, we close here.”

The wake-up call comes in a particularly overloaded section for Real Madrid, a team that surfs in four different tournaments while dealing with the repercussions of the World Cup in Qatar on a squad whose wardrobe lowers the existence of several residual pieces and hurts the drip of injuries. Lucas Vázquez, Alaba and Mendy remain in the infirmary, from which Carvajal and Tchouaméni leave. The situation is especially sensitive in a curiously rising rear. “We were quite solid in the last three games and we conceded only one goal against Atlético,” Carletto said in the preview of the match in which his team has no margin for error.

unknowns and certainties

Sunday’s clash against Real Sociedad finally showed an exuberant version of Real Madrid under pressure, but produced a meager draw that stretched the gap with Barça. «We have failed in some games, but we are having the rhythm of last year. Barcelona is doing well, but at this moment we are confident and we can fight until the end,” Ancelotti snapped before a duel with two novelties in the whites’ eleven.

Camavinga will once again officiate as a false left-back and Nacho will retain his position on the right-handed side. Carvajal, with only a couple of training sessions this week, needs rhythm, the same as Tchouaméni, unprecedented in the last six rounds. Carletto will only introduce two variants with respect to the poster that appeared four days ago against Real Sociedad: the return of Modric to the midfield, where the Italian doses Valverde, and the entry of Asensio for Rodrygo on the right flank of the offensive trident.

Voro has Kluivert, Thierry, Nico and Domènech absent due to injury, but he will be able to count on Gayà and Cavani for his relaunch. The man from La Alcudia has led Valencia in 46 games, with a record of 22 wins, 7 draws and 17 losses. In 2008 he took over the black and white for the first time after the dismissal of Ronald Koeman, who left Valencia on the brink of relegation. He saved the category with four wins in five days and a single blemish: a 6-0 against Barça at the Camp Nou. Since then, he has served as a fire extinguisher on six other occasions and is terrifying.

«What gives me strength to be optimistic is that there are 20 games left. I am not afraid, we are going to fight, I have no doubt, “explained in the previous one a technician who appeals to sacrifice and the union of the booth to get out of the well. «There is no break in a locker room that was against a coach. This helps a lot because there is nothing to repair. I have seen all the games from outside, but without technical competitions. What I have told them is that we need their effort, their commitment and what the club requires. We are going to try to give them the necessary tools to improve », he summed up on the eve of the visit to the Bernabéu.

-Lineups:

Real Madrid: Courtois, Nacho, Militao, Rüdiger, Camavinga, Kroos, Modric, Ceballos, Asensio, Benzema and Vinicius.

Valencia: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gayà, Musah, Guillamón, Almeida, Castillejo, Cavani and Samuel Lino.

Referee: Alberola Rojas (Castilian-La Mancha Committee).

Time: 9:00 p.m.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

TV: Dazn.