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Real Madrid have been thrashed 4-1 at struggling Valencia on Sunday as Carlos Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties to lift additional doubts over La Liga’s reigning champions. Madrid took the lead by way of Karim Benzema however introduced Valencia with 4 items at Mestalla, together with three spot-kicks and an own-goal scored by Raphael Varane, to fall to a different shock defeat. “There is no justification, no excuses,” stated Zinedine Zidane. “It’s a bad game and a bad day.” This is the primary time Madrid have conceded 4 objectives since letting in 5 towards Barcelona in October 2018 and places the brakes on their restoration that had adopted a rocky begin to the season.
After back-to-back losses to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donestsk final month, Zinedine Zidane’s aspect appeared to have turned a nook with wins over Barca, Huesca and Inter Milan.
Yet this end result places the strain again on forward of the worldwide break, with Madrid now fourth within the desk, 4 factors behind early leaders Real Sociedad.
A disappointing night time additionally received worse when Benzema was pressured off late on with what seemed like a groin harm.
“Everything happened to us,” Zidane stated.
Valencia, in the meantime, began the day in 17th after enduring a nightmare begin to the marketing campaign, on the again of a switch window which noticed them promote 5 key gamers and fail to interchange any of them.
A stirring victory although pushes Javi Gracia’s staff as much as ninth and should show a turning level of their season.
There was actually a component of fortune in Valencia’s objectives, all of them uncommon and a few of them weird.
But Soler did brilliantly to beat Thibaut Courtois 3 times, significantly having missed his first try, which was retaken after the Belgian got here off his line.
Madrid have been additionally with out Casemiro after the Brazilian examined constructive for coronavirus however a heavy loss continues a worrying pattern of defensive vulnerability.
Solidity was the important thing to them profitable the title final season however they’re now seven matches with out a single clear sheet.
“We have to be strong in defence,” stated Zidane.
“If we have this, we have quality up front to make a difference.”
The first half turned on two choices that went Valencia’s method however Madrid might have few complaints.
They took the lead when Benzema unleashed from the sting of the world however conceded a penalty when Jose Luis Gaya’s cross struck the arm of Lucas Vazquez.
Chaos adopted as Soler’s penalty was saved by Courtois after which his rebound got here again off the publish to Yunus Musah, who completed on the half-volley.
Replays confirmed Musah had entered the field too early however Courtois was additionally off his line, making his save unlawful and handing Soler a retake.
He made no mistake on the second try after which Valencia pulled in entrance when Varane skewed a cross in the direction of his own-goal and received tangled with Courtois whereas making an attempt to clear.
The ball was proven to have crossed the road whereas Valencia have been fortunate to flee punishment for a deal with on Marcos Asensio by Denis Cheryshev within the build-up.
Madrid had work to do however Valencia began the second half stronger, Lee Kang-In hitting the publish earlier than two extra penalties have been awarded.
Marcelo wrapped his foot round Maxi Gomez within the space earlier than Sergio Ramos tackled Musah and because the ball popped up, Madrid’s captain knocked it away along with his left hand.
Soler stepped up for this third and fourth spot-kicks of the match and scored each to compound the defending champions’ distress.
Real Sociedad regained prime spot after profitable 2-Zero towards a depleted Granada, who might face punishment for fielding fewer than the required variety of first-team gamers.
Nacho Monreal scored within the 22nd minute and Mikel Oyarzabal transformed a penalty within the 27th at Anoeta to ship la Real again above Atletico Madrid, who had briefly taken first place after beating Cadiz on Saturday.
Atletico are three factors behind however have two video games in hand.
Granada, who drop to fifth, had solely seven first-team gamers obtainable and completed with solely 4 on the pitch, one fewer than La Liga’s minimal of 5, with the remainder made up from the youth staff.
Promoted
It stays to be seen if La Liga take motion, having already rejected Granada’s request on Saturday for the sport to be postponed.
Unai Emery’s Villarreal transfer as much as second within the desk after they received 3-1 towards Getafe.
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