Three talking points ahead of Valencia vs Real Madrid | La Liga MD 12

Three talking points ahead of Valencia vs Real Madrid | La Liga MD 12 There is hardly any rest for Real Madrid between their tedious trip from Greece and their next game in Spain, and it is understandable why the administration were furious about the scheduling. After all, they played their game in the UEFA Champions League one day after Barcelona, yet face their next La Liga game one day before the Catalans. The next game on the calendar for Real Madrid is against Valencia , and they will take to the field tomorrow night at the Mestalla in their final match ahead of the international break. The goal, needless to say, will be to end on a high. Given their trip to Greece this week, however, it is clear that the players will still be fatigued and it could well play a role in tomorrow’s game. Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Valencia vs Real Madrid The end of a brutal away run Real Madrid’s game against RB Leipzig over two weeks ago was the last time Jose Mourinho’s men graced the field at the Santiago Bernabeu. From that point, the men in white have been faced with back-to-back assignments on the road, and they only return home now. The spell on the road was anything but simple, as they first faced a red-hot Barcelona in a game where they themselves were underdogs. Showing the world their quality, however, Real Madrid pulled off a statement win and reopened the title race. Their next clash was against Racing Santander who were unbeaten at home until the game against Real Madrid. Los Blancos made easy work of them and sealed the deal in under 45 minutes. Real Madrid have been on an excellent run of form. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) Most recently, they were forced to travel to Greece to take on AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League, and the game was not easy by any measure as the hosts made Real Madrid suffer and struggle for the three points. Now, Real Madrid face the final of their back-to-back away clashes as they take on Valencia. After the international break, they will have three back-to-back games at home, and tomorrow’s clash is key in ensuring they finish the away spell strongly. A chance to pull closer The recent El Clasico was one of the most significant ones in recent years for Real Madrid, especially given how the pressure was completely on them to win and prevent Barcelona from pulling clear. At the time, the Catalans were six points ahead of Real Madrid, and a win in the Clasico assured them of a nine-point lead. Having defeated Barcelona, however, Mourinho and co. cut the deficit down to three points, and are currently still just one win and one Barcelona slip-up away from equalling the Catalans’ points tally. That slip-up could well arrive in the ongoing matchday as Barcelona are set to face off against Atletico Madrid on Sunday. The Catalans have struggled against elite opposition in recent weeks, and if they slip up against Atletico Madrid away from home and Real Madrid beat Valencia tomorrow, they can put the pressure on Barcelona. In that sense, Saturday’s game is crucial as it represents one of Real Madrid’s best chances to cut the deficit with Barcelona. Big midfield guns return Guler and Tchouameni are back. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) With Real Madrid travelling a significant distance to play their UEFA Champions League clash midweek, Jose Mourinho handed some players a complete rest to help them skip the travel. Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni were the two stars who did not even travel with the team on the night, and their absence was felt for a long time in the game. Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva both delivered decent shows, but it is clear that Guler and Tchouameni are developing a special understanding and that their relationship is currently superior to any other midfield pivot pairing that Mourinho fields. Both stars are back in the dynamics for tomorrow’s clash, and with both being well rested, they could well start and look to blossom together on the field once more. Playing at a complicated venue like Mestalla, having Guler and Tchouameni back fresher than before comes as a massive boost that Mourinho will not look to miss- one that could potentially change the direction the game progresses in.