Real Madrid secures win at Mestalla against Valencia

Real Madrid's victory at Mestalla against Valencia on November 7, 2026 reinforces their position in the league. French striker Kylian Mbappé, number 10, celebrated the team's third goal.

Tactical improvements under Mourinho

Real Madrid is led by José Mourinho, who sees the team as being in a building phase. Since the match against Roma, the squad's dynamics have steadily improved. That improvement is largely due to the positional changes implemented by Mourinho. Players Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomandé have provided greater balance and control.

Real Madrid's off‑ball movements were decisive in almost every phase of possession against Valencia. These movements allowed the team to advance the ball through the thirds, empty spaces and attack areas behind Valencia's defensive line. When the team seeks depth, Mbappé provides clear advantages by stretching the opposition vertically. Quality passers from deeper positions can free him up behind or use his movement to create spaces between the lines.

Key off‑ball movement sequences

In one play, Bellingham's intelligence was shown by staying still while Valencia's block shifted, freeing himself on Rodríguez's flank. The deep runs widen the opposition vertically, while the width stretches them horizontally. Diomandé, glued to the wing, dragged Maffeo, while Mbappé occupied Pepelu. That situation allowed Cucurella to find and exploit the gap between the centre‑back and the full‑back.

A minute later, Real Madrid overloaded the left side and forced Valencia to drop back. Guerra moved to mark Mbappé; Rodríguez covered the space between Pepelu and Tarrega; Mayol tracked Güler on the edge of the box. On the opposite wing, Bellingham, Bernardo Silva and Valverde outnumbered De Haas and Gayà. By forcing Valencia to compress vertically, Mbappé had space to switch the play to the opposite side.

Valverde slipped under Silva toward the gap between Tarrega and Gayà. Bernardo Silva passed to him, but Tarrega cleared the ball. Real Madrid held the majority of the match in settled possession at Mestalla. Valencia set up in a mid‑block 4‑4‑2.

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Bellingham and Mbappé pressed the centre‑backs, allowing Arda Güler to slip between the full‑back and the centre‑back and attack the space behind the defensive line. Real Madrid enjoyed numerical superiority around Valencia's first line, giving the centre‑backs time to receive passes. Konaté spotted the Turkish international's run and lofted a pass over him. Güler failed to convert.

When Valencia pressed high, Real Madrid found various solutions to exploit the spaces behind the home defence. On one occasion, Valencia tried to trap Real Madrid near the wings, but Javier Aguirre's side applied little pressure on the ball. Diomandé fell back near the flank, pulling the opposing full‑back, while Mbappé occupied Tarrega in the left‑half space. That allowed Bellingham to get out on the wing and make himself available for Cucurella to loft a pass over.

The ball (Ball) in the pressure zone was key; Bellingham ran the length of the field, entered the box and shot at the goalkeeper, who caught the ball. Luring Valencia forward provided another way for Real Madrid to break down the hosts. Valencia responded by moving into a high‑press, man‑to‑man after a back pass. Mourinho's side consistently found gaps within Valencia's structure or behind its defensive line.

Half an hour in, Huijsen tried to switch the play to the less‑loaded side, but the pass went backward. Valverde recycled possession; Valencia reacted to the shot and moved forward. Konaté delivered a pass that broke Valencia's line at that moment, opening it to find Bellingham between the lines. Mbappé attacked the gap between the centre‑backs. Güler slipped a through ball to the French striker, who failed to make contact.

In another play, Real Madrid drew Valencia to go forward and press high; the hosts took the bait. Real Madrid's centre‑backs separated, and Bernardo Silva returned the ball to Huijsen. Huijsen advanced; Valencia's defensive line appeared disorganized, which helped Mbappé stay in position and attack the space behind the defence. Huijsen spotted the opportunity and lofted the ball over, but Mbappé was not clinical.

Before Mbappé's goal, Valencia reacted to Real Madrid's back passes by pressing man‑to‑man. Courtois launched a long ball to Arda Güler, who beat Pepelu and won the physical duel. Güler controlled the ball and freed Mbappé behind Tarrega. The French striker dribbled past the goalkeeper and steered the ball into the net.

The off‑ball movements created confusion and dilemmas for the opponents. Against Valencia, they proved decisive for freeing teammates and opening attacking spaces.