Real Madrid picked up three crucial points against Valencia last night, as Zidane’s men edge closer to winning the elusive La Liga title for the first time in almost half a decade
The opening ten minutes were quite bizarre as Real Madrid fans witnessed an unorganized squad getting terrorized by 12th placed Valencia. Against Deportivo La Coruna, which Real won 6-2, Zidane had deployed a team which he referred to as the ‘B’ squad.
It did not feature several of the usual players, and against Valencia, he deployed what is supposedly the ‘A’ team. With debates about which group of Real Madrid was better running the whole week, the ‘A’ team did not do a lot to make their case.
Valencia played confidently and did not seem intimidated by the Spanish giants. In fact, they were in the mindset to fight back or go down swinging. This was pretty evident in the opening few minutes when they unleashed an all-out attack which sent the Real players into major panic mode.
Although Real did try to score, they failed to make good of the opportunities. First, the failed clearance by Ramos with a header, and second, the shoddy clearance by James — Real Madrid looked like they were going to endure another major upset. With Valencia’s Mina, Parejo, Solero and Nani dominating possession, the stage looked set for Valencia to triumph and deny Madrid of the three crucial points.
In the first half, Ronaldo’s sad run with free-kicks continued as his attempts failed miserably and either went over, or were too wide.
Also, this is not the first game wherein he bottled such chances. Angry fans tweeted about the same, take a look:
Ronaldo miss penalty and 2 sitters. Benzema can't hit a barn door. Dani Pajero scores a worldie free kick. ??
— mderosa23 (@mderosa23) April 29, 2017
Ronaldo just left a free kick to James straight on from 20 yards? ?
— Steve Boyle (@Sboyle15) April 29, 2017
Won a free kick so that Ronaldo can miss it. Story of real madrid.
— T (@UnTanyacious) April 29, 2017
Ronaldo step aside from the free kick please ffs
— Jose Meinie (@JoseMeinie) April 29, 2017
I feared Cristiano would miss because of his history with this keeper, I think Ramos should start taking penalties against Valencia.
— TheCRonaldoFan (@TheCRonaldoFan) April 29, 2017
Ronaldo penalty miss against Valencia. Feels like that season again. Please don't cost us the league?
— K (@DopeSR4) April 29, 2017
The game that could’ve potentially ended up in a draw for Real Madrid, was saved by Marcelo. Not only did he save the club, but his goal was just too brilliant to watch.
Marcelo's goal was flamesss pic.twitter.com/erVEeuwbkf
— FBL (@FOOTBALRLIFE) April 29, 2017
Get you a man who loves you like Marcelo loves his club. pic.twitter.com/UU0UBwFQp9
— bench (@LM19Futbol) April 29, 2017
212 – Marcelo (212) has now surpassed Roberto Carlos (211) as the foreign player with most wins in all history of Real Madrid. Samba.
— OptaRMadrid (@OptaRMadrid) April 29, 2017
Would hate for Marcelo's creativity and perfection in execution to go unnoticed because he's a Madridista. Super unique player
— Ahmad (@ahmadf_o) April 29, 2017
The number of times that Marcelo & Carvajal have saved our asses this season is too damn high.
— Ali (@RM_Insider) April 29, 2017
A lot was also said about Real Madrid’s comeback in the end. Several times this season, Los Blancos came back fighting to win a game.
If there is one thing I've learned this year from Real Madrid it's that nothing is over till it's really over.
— Mrs. Alarcon (@nancycr7rma) April 30, 2017
Real Madrid scored 7 goals after the 80th minute in La Liga this season that saw them win the match. pic.twitter.com/GugiveA0RF
— SB (@Realmadridplace) April 30, 2017
Real Madrid won 17 points in La Liga this season in the final 10 minutes of the match – scoring 20 of the team's total 92 goals. [marca] pic.twitter.com/IgjsqgDW68
— SB (@Realmadridplace) April 30, 2017
Zidane will never learn from his mistakes, starting with Benzema & late substitutions.
— Real Madrid 11 (@Madridholic__) April 29, 2017
Whattay CRUCIAL WIN!
But why worry when you've got the best left back in the world ??
— Real Madrid Pakistan (@RealMadridPST) April 29, 2017
FT: Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia
VAAAAAMOS!! 58 consecutive games scoring record continues. 2 of 6 finals done! #HalaMadrid
— M•A•J (@UltraSuristic_) April 29, 2017
While Ronaldo’s miss did not sit well with the fans, they did celebrate his goal, after which Madrid regained control of the game. Also, that goal propelled Ronaldo into becoming Europe’s top goal-scorer.
Ronaldo becomes Europe's all-time top goalscorer. 367 goals. Eighth consecutive season of scoring 20+ league goals. Phenomenon.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 29, 2017
Ronaldo has to have the best record broken per game ratio. The amount of records he breaks is unbelievable.
— JP (@Emperor_RM) April 29, 2017
They're chanting Ronaldo Ballon D'or in the Bernabeu ffs in tearing up
— Zeus (@KeylorinhoZ) April 29, 2017
367 – Cristiano Ronaldo (367) overtakes Jimmy Greaves (366) as the player with most league goals in all European’s top 5 leagues. Don.
— OptaRMadrid (@OptaRMadrid) April 29, 2017
Ronaldo's strength in the air is insane. Delight to watch. Incredible athlete.
— Nouman (@nomaldoscores) April 29, 2017
