Real Madrid keep winning in LaLiga, even if with lots of difficulty on and off the pitch. This weekend, the team had to play against València without Vinícius (suspended) and without Bellingham (injured). With those key players missing, Arbeloa chose a quite different lineup, one that we hadn't seen in a long time: 4-4-2 with Mbappé and Gonzalo as forwards and a group of four central midfielders (Valverde, Tchouaméni, Güler, Camavinga) who moved a lot on the pitch and often switched positions between each other.

Remarkable were the return to the pitch of Trent Alexander-Arnold (finally!), the debut of the youngster David Jiménez, and Álvaro Carreras scoring again against València as he did at the Bernabéu. What was (kind of) not remarkable, because we're getting so used to it lately, is yet another Mbappé's goal. Important win and moments of good football. A nice evening, after all.

Matchday 23: Focus on Federico Valverde

After convering the right back position countless times, on Sunday Valverde could finally play in his favourite position in the midfield. And what a difference it made! Despite his great flexibility, it's in the midfield where he can express his full potential. He started on the right but then he moved a lot and was always in the heart of the game together with Güler. Sometimes he even moved wide to create a front three with Mbappé and Gonzalo. Valverde helped circulate the ball, came inside, recovered balls, dropped back to create overload when needed, attacked space, tried long shots, often switched position with Güler.

We really saw moments of the good old Fede Valverde! Good overall performance by the whole team, even if was definitely not a sparkling match. València is always a tough opponent, even if sadly they're currently so very close to the relegation part of the table. Now that Alexander-Arnold is back, hopefully no need to force Valverde to play as right back again soon. But when will Carvajal finally get some minutes?

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Did you watch the match? Which player impressed you the most? Hit reply and let me know!

See you next Tuesday!

Marta