Valencia Seeks Redemption Against Real Madrid Amidst Struggles

omidbasir- Valencia approaches the match against Real Madrid as another opportunity to demonstrate the team’s ability to bounce back during a season marked by mediocre results that once again places them in a precarious position in the league standings. As they enter the match, Valencia sits just one point above the relegation zone, with two difficult away fixtures on the horizon against Levante and Villarreal—Levante being a direct rival for survival, and Villarreal aiming for another Champions League qualification.

Despite the diminishing influence of the Mestalla factor over the years, Valencia has maintained a level of resilience in matches against the white team. In fact, Real Madrid has suffered defeat in five of their last eleven visits to Mestalla, winning three and drawing three, representing the highest number of losses they have incurred at any stadium in La Liga since the 2014-15 season. Moreover, when considering recent home and away matches, Valencia has secured two victories against Madrid in their last six encounters, matching their total victories over the preceding twelve games.

Throughout the week, including the day before the Copa match, Valencia echoed the sentiments of Álvaro Arbeloa regarding Sunday’s encounter at Mestalla: “Surely Valencia will play the match of the year against Real Madrid at home,” he remarked following their last game at the Bernabéu. The Real Madrid coach sought to underscore the extra motivation that opponents feel when facing his team, stating, “To win against Rayo, we need to do more than the other teams in the league,” and adding, “It’s the same when we go to Villarreal or Valencia.”

In response to this observation, Corberán stated, “Every match we play needs to be the match of the year, and that is how we experience it. The crowds at Mestalla are always full, but the visiting teams only feel that when they come here.”

Indeed, Arbeloa has played four matches wearing the Real Madrid jersey at Mestalla, winning all four, including a resounding 5-0 victory at halftime in 2013. He experienced a 1-1 draw in a Copa match, and his only defeat as a player dates back 20 years to a 4-0 loss with Deportivo in 2006. Those were different times when Valencia often contested titles against Real Madrid or vied for a top-three league finish.

Nonetheless, even during this recent phase where Valencia has fought more often for survival than for any other objective, Mestalla has consistently served as a stronghold for the team. This season, they are currently on a six-match unbeaten run at Mestalla, with two draws and four victories, marking their best unbeaten streak at home in the last two years.