Valencia is struggling at the bottom of the table this season, and there was arguably no worse opponent to face in early 2025 than Real Madrid. However, with a new coach in charge, Valencia has made its first exit.
The Che came out of the blocks quickly and created three good chances in the first quarter of an hour. Carlos Corberán sent his team to press high, but the impact came just before the half hour mark, when the whites had settled a little more.
A fluid play started by Javi Guerra almost finished him off, but Thibaut Courtois gave him a hand. But no one followed Hugo Duro on the rebound, who easily finished off the first goal of the Corberan era.
VALENCIA WANTS TO BEAT THE WORLD CHAMPION!!! Hugo Duro rescued the rebound and scored the 1-0 vs. Real Madrid.
📺 Look #LaLiga by #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/esfTUqqb8j
— Sports Center (@SC_ESPN) January 3, 2025
🚨🇪🇸 GOAL | Valencia 1-0 Real Madrid | Hugo Duro
HUGO DURO OPENS THE SCORE FOR VALENCIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/7ttoSlPK1f
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 3, 2025
Valencia is ahead against Real Madrid! 🦇
Hugo Duro with a touch to break the deadlock 👏 pic.twitter.com/VvxBlkWzeR
– Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 3, 2025
A lead after just half an hour against Real Madrid is far from being decisive, and Corberán will be aware that his team has a long way to go.