How Real Madrid’s Off-Ball Movements Secured the Win Over Valencia at Mestalla

Real Madrid secured a victory over Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium, primarily due to their effective off-ball movements. Coach José Mourinho's positional changes, along with contributions from players like Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomandé, provided the team with better balance and control. Valuable contributions came from Mbappé, who's runs stretched the opposition vertically and opened up spaces for teammates.

When Valencia's defensive block shifted, Bellingham used this to his advantage by staying put, allowing Rodríguez to open a route on the opposite side. Diomandé's run on the touchline drew Maffeo across, leaving Mbappé and Pepelu to occupy Pepelu and create space for Cucurella to exploit. In the second half, Valencia pressed high, forcing Real Madrid to find alternate solutions.

Diomandé's drop into the flank and Mbappé's occupation of Tarrega's position allowed Bellingham to gallop the length of the pitch and shoot into the goalkeeper's hands. Another crucial moment came when Valencia attempted to trap Real Madrid near the touchlines, leading to a pass over the top that Mbappé couldn't convert. Throughout the match, Valencia defended in a 4-4-2 medium block, allowing Real Madrid to consistently find gaps within their structure or behind their defensive line.

Real Madrid's off-ball movements created confusion and opportunities for their attackers, ultimately resulting in a well-earned win against Valencia.