Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Valencia | La Liga MD11 | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s last two games at the Santiago Bernabeu have been against Juventus and Barcelona – two of Europe’s biggest powerhouses – and Xabi Alonso’s men managed to pull all possible six points from the fixtures.

Now on a clear high, they will look to continue that streak when they take on Valencia at the same venue tomorrow night in what will be their last home game for a while.

After Saturday’s clash, Real Madrid face six straight games away from home – against Liverpool, Rayo Vallecano, Elche, Olympiacos, Girona, and Athletic Club – and only return home for the game against Celta Vigo in early December.

The game against Valencia, thus, will be a special one as Los Blancos will look to end their home run on a high as they set off on the long journey away.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Valencia.

On a high

It was a long wait for Real Madrid that spanned over a year, but they finally put it to bed when they faced Barcelona last weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu.

After four successive Clasico defeats, Los Blancos went all out in the summer and ensured the weak areas in their squad were satisfactorily filled and they took down Hansi Flick’s side in a game that they thoroughly deserved to win.

Not only did Real Madrid win on the night, they dominated Barcelona from start to finish and played out the game with great control through the middle, a perfectly implemented plan from Xabi Alonso, and an attack that endlessly threatened Barcelona’s backline.

In fact, it was one of those performances and results that will leave them dreamy, positive, and on a high – one that they must tread with caution as they approach the game after.

While it is indeed a good problem to have, the feeling of hangover after such a massive win will undoubtedly be running in the minds of the young dressing room and Alonso must ensure his side are grounded and completely focused on Valencia.

Eyes on Vinicius and Alonso

All eyes on Vini and Alonso. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

While El Clasico was fiery in every sense of the word, both in a sporting and a rivalry sense, Real Madrid had some burning internal issues that developed on the night – particularly between Alonso and Vinicius Jr.

The manager opted to pull the winger out of the dynamics in the second half to hand minutes to Rodrygo, a decision that understandably did not go down well with Vinicius. The issue, however, was in the manner the player reacted.

Instead of graciously accepting the coach’s decision, the winger made a fuss on the field, made serious gestures of dissent, and complained about why he must leave the club – making a scene that did not paint a good picture of him.

He has, since, come out and apologised for his behaviour, linking it to his ‘passion’ to keep going for Real Madrid but it is clear that all is not well between the two parties yet.

It will, thus, be interesting to see the dynamic between the coach and player tomorrow night, particularly in terms of the prominence the coach gives the player and the winger’s performance and attitude on the field.

Trent’s expected return

Just when it seemed like Real Madrid’s right-back crisis had come to an end with both Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to the squad post-injuries, the former suffered yet another setback in what comes as a massive blow.

While Carvajal did not feature prominently in the Clasico, he injured himself soon after and is now out for the year and is expected back only in early 2026. All eyes, thus, now fall on Trent.

The new signing has not enjoyed the strongest of starts to life in Madrid so far. While his first few days were highlighted by unconvincing performances, Carvajal then came and began taking minutes from him before Trent faced an injury that deepened his crisis.

Now back to fitness and with his biggest competitor out of action, all eyes will be on the English international to see if he can live up to the hype around him. 

His big chance will likely begin tomorrow night when he is expected to make his first appearance after over a month.