Real Madrid finding rhythm just after strolling past Valencia
Real Madrid seem to be gaining momentum prior to the Champions League knockout stage, with a 2-0 win over Valencia in Sunday putting them rear within sight of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Valencia were in the last 16 of Europe's premier tournament last period too but their plummet from the elite was first exposed by Zinedine Zidane's group, who strolled to success at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos had Madrid several up at half-time while left-back Ferland Mendy stabbed found in a good third that was ruled out for offside. Such was Madrid's comfort, Zidane could withdraw key players in the next half.
There was certainly never virtually any prospect of a comeback from Valencia, who were flat and practically accepting of a defeat that leaves them simply three points previously mentioned La Liga's relegation zone.
In all likelihood, you will see three worse teams than Valencia come the finish of the season but the dismantling of the squad under owner Peter Lim has produced survival far from a guarantee.
Madrid's own name ambitions seemed to be over when they had been beaten by Levante towards the end of the last month but three wins on the bounce since that time have raised some expectation of a comeback.
Atletico remain five points clear of their town rivals, having played two game titles fewer, and it'll take a significant dip from Diego Simeone's area for the title competition to open up.
At the very least, Real Madrid seem to be to be finding plenty of rhythm and if La Liga proves a stage too far, perhaps they'll focus even more on the Champions Group, where they have so often delivered when it things.
Atalanta will give a much sterner test within the last 16 and Zidane could have been disappointed to see Dani Carvajal trudge off injured after just 25 minutes in his primary game back following a groin strain.
With Sergio Ramos also out, Nacho Fernandez continued at centre-back while Eden Hazard's most current absence gave Vinicius Junior a chance in leading three, with the Brazilian savoring one of his better afternoons along with Benzema and the resurgent Marco Asensio.
If Hazard has the capacity to recover with time for the primary leg against Atalanta on February 24, Zidane will have to decide whether to throw the Belgian right back into his line-up, with Vinicius now an apparent alternative.
Valencia also never surely got to grips with Madrid's midfield 3, the veteran duo of Kroos and Luka Modric producing the sort of performance which have persuaded Zidane to keep faith for such a long time.
It had been Kroos' first-time pass that set Benzema away found in the 12th minute, the Frenchman cutting inside onto his right ft . and curling about Gabriel Paulista and inside far post.
Madrid's second target was brilliantly worked, with Lucas Vazquez using wide to Asensio before continuing his come across the field. Asensio fed Modric, who pulled again for the surging Vazquez, with a rolled pass across enabling Kroos to clip in to the corner.
