Camavinga on the Left? Carreras Proves His Worth in Scrappy Mestalla Win
Real Madrid grind out a 2-0 victory against a toothless Valencia, with Carreras silencing doubters and Güler providing rare moments of quality in a largely uninspiring display.
Real Madrid remain firmly in the La Liga title race, just one point behind Barcelona, but their performance levels continue to raise serious questions despite a functional 2-0 win at Mestalla.
Valencia’s Decline Continues
Let’s be honest - this Valencia side is in absolute tatters. They managed just one shot on target all match (hitting the post in the 70th minute), and look increasingly like relegation candidates with each passing week. The once-mighty Mestalla outfit is a shadow of its former self, and unless something changes drastically in the club’s management, they’re on a one-way ticket to the Championship… if not this season, then next.
Arbeloa’s Selection Headaches
The gaffer’s team selection raised a few eyebrows at Mestalla:
- Carvajal remains mysteriously sidelined despite being back in training since January 1st
- Academy product David Jiménez started at right-back ahead of both Carvajal and Trent
- Jiménez was performing admirably before being puzzlingly hooked for Trent (returning from injury) in the 75th minute
The Carvajal situation is particularly baffling. The captain hasn’t started in eight matches and barely featured at all. Arbeloa clearly doesn’t fancy him at present, but how long can this situation continue?
Güler: The Diamond in the Rough
If there’s one bright spark in this rather pedestrian Madrid side, it’s Arda Güler. The Turkish maestro began on the right flank but quickly drifted centrally to impose some semblance of order on Madrid’s chaotic possession. While others looked bereft of ideas against Corberán’s packed defense, Güler showed genuine vision and purpose.
Carreras Silences the Critics
After being made the fall guy for the Benfica debacle (where he received precious little defensive support), Carreras delivered a statement performance. Not only was he defensively sound, but he also netted the crucial opener that set Madrid on their way.
The temptation to shift Camavinga to left-back should be firmly resisted by Arbeloa. Carreras has been one of Madrid’s most consistent performers this season - a proper Bobby Dazzler compared to some of his more illustrious teammates.
Mbappé’s Numbers Game
It wasn’t Kylian’s finest hour in a white shirt, with Dimitrievski denying him in the first half and his radar off in the second. But like Cristiano before him, Mbappé lives for goals, and he eventually found the net in stoppage time from Brahim’s assist.
That’s 23 in La Liga and 38 for the season - numbers that speak for themselves, even on an off-day.
Madrid continue to get results, but they’ll need to find much more sparkle if they’re serious about challenging for multiple trophies. Right now, they’re winning without convincing - the bread and butter of champions perhaps, but not exactly setting the world alight.