Is there a weirder new normal than what Real Madrid is experiencing? As well as playing behind closed doors, the 13-time European champion's temporary home for the rest of the season is the 6,000-seat Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium, the reserve side's ground.
Located on the sprawling training center in Valdebebas, players don’t arrive to the stadium by bus, they just sort of appear on the horizon at Ciudad Real Madrid and meander over like a high school team.
The walk to the Di Stéfano!#RealMadridValencia | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Fp5k2POElg
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) June 18, 2020
You’d think — in this new world order that’s seen home-field advantage disappear — that Real could be particularly susceptible to an unforeseen stumble, especially so on Thursday with the visit of eighth-place Valencia.
The opening 45 minutes hinted at such an outcome despite Real’s eye-catching total of eight shots on target (most of them rifled straight down Jasper Cillessen’s throat). Valencia forced Thibaut Courtois into two spectacular saves and had the ball in the back of the net, only for the VAR to rightly chalk it off for offside in the buildup.
But Real’s individual quality and growing team play came to the fore in the second half, beginning with the home side’s opener in the 61st minute.
Sergio Ramos started the move when winning the ball back, and then Eden Hazard exchanged passes with Luka Modrić before the Belgian squared for Karim Benzema to finish.
GOAL FOR #REALMADRID #EdenHazard feeds #KarimBenzema , who slots home to give Los Blancos the lead in the 61st minute #RealMadridValencia pic.twitter.com/iC1CrltlqD
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 18, 2020
In the 74th minute, Marco Asensio made his long-waited return to action following a horrific preseason knee injury back in July.
With his first touch, Asensio steered home Ferland Mendy’s cross on the volley. Not a bad return after 331 days.
GOAL FOR #REALMADRID #MarcoAsensio makes an emphatic return from injury with a stunning volley only 30 seconds after coming on #AsensioMagisterial #RealMadridValencia pic.twitter.com/2U58V4RYFK
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 18, 2020
But Real’s third goal was even better.
In the 86th minute, Toni Kroos released Asensio out wide. Asensio cut it back for Benzema, who eluded his marker with a right-footed flick before cracking a left-footed effort off the underside of the crossbar.
GOLAZO FOR #REALMADRID!!! #KarimBenzema finishes off a Real Madrid move with a brilliant touch and powerful volley with his left foot Real Madrid now leads #Valencia -.#RealMadridValencia pic.twitter.com/rI5wPCl53v
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 18, 2020
Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table returns to two points with nine matches remaining. Next up for Real is a trip to the Anoeta to play Real Sociedad on Sunday.
