Real Madrid came off with a scrappy win over Valencia after 120 minutes of open play failed to produce a winner in the first semi-final game of the ongoing Spanish Super Cup competition taking place in Riyadh at King Fahd Stadium....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
It was another below-par showing from Los Blancos overall even when the first half had looked promising for them and resulted in a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute when Benzema converted from the spot after he was bundled down in the box.
In the second half, a lack of coordination in defensive play and loss of concentration in central defense allowed Valencia to equalize bringing the scores to1-1, and it was only Courtois’ heroics and accurate penalty takes from Benzema, Kroos, Modric, and Asensio that saved the day and earned them a win – 1-1 (4-3 on penalties), to progress to the final.
Speaking in his post-match presser, Carlo Ancelotti who was happy to get the win also admitted that it was not their best showing and said: “… We’re pleased. We need to improve gradually… We weren’t great at several points in the game, but we stayed in it.”
However, he blamed it on the players’ physical condition after the World Cup, saying: “The level of the team is not at its best because this season’s been unusual due to the World Cup. It’s normal that 20 days after the World Cup the players aren’t at their best level.”
