Nicolás Otamendi twice silenced Real Madrid in Spain | OneFootball

Nicolás Otamendi carved out two unforgettable moments against Real Madrid for Valencia in 2014/15, a towering equaliser at the Bernabéu then a match-winner at Mestalla.

Superdeporte highlights how the Argentine defender’s leadership and aerial power defined that campaign and twice hushed Madrid.

On 4 January 2015 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Real leading the league, Otamendi rose like a striker to head in. His goal levelled the match and the stadium fell quiet. Valencia left with a 2-2 draw that felt like a statement.

In the return fixture at Mestalla, Valencia again met the leaders while chasing Champions League qualification. When a hero was needed, Otamendi delivered another dominant header. It finished 2-1, sending the ground into rapture.

That win strengthened Valencia and halted a long Real Madrid winning run that had threatened an all-time record.

The 2014/15 season proved Otamendi’s standout year in Europe, authoritative at the back and a menace in the air. His display against Real provided the perfect flourish.

In a later flashpoint, Vinícius Jr tried to provoke him after a wide duel. Otamendi tapped the World Cup tattoo on his chest, a nod to Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, a reminder of his status as a world champion.

Source: Superdeporte