Real Madrid's 2025 Debut at 4 AM! Victory = Top Spot + 5 Points Ahead of Barcelona, with 4 Stars Playing Together
Real Madrid is set to kick off their new year with a tough match at the Mestalla Stadium against Valencia. The four superstars are finally going to play together in this crucial game, where a win could see them overtake Barcelona by several points and potentially widen the gap between them. A loss, however, could result in Atletico Madrid pulling ahead.
Valencia has had a good record against Real Madrid at home, winning three and drawing two out of their last six home matches. This makes the Real Madrid players somewhat nervous when they visit, considering the fervor of the local fans.
The condition of the grass at the Mestalla Stadium is not ideal, which can be particularly challenging for Real Madrid's possession-based playing style, as the ball tends to bounce unpredictably on the uneven surface.
Valencia's players give it their all during home games, knowing that a victory over Real Madrid can bring them international fame. They often run harder than usual in these matches.
Real Madrid's players often struggle to perform at their best at this stadium, even newcomers like Jude Bellingham have expressed discomfort due to the small size and heat of the venue.
The stands at the stadium are very close to the pitch, and the noise from the fans can be deafening, making many Real Madrid players feel unsafe while playing there.
Valencia's coach is known for studying Real Madrid closely and slowing down the pace of the game to prevent Real Madrid from executing their preferred counter-attacks.
Real Madrid's players acknowledge the importance of this match, but they are also aware of how difficult it is to play at the Mestalla Stadium. Even Carlo Ancelotti has described it as the toughest match of January.
If Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham are all in top form, any one of them could potentially win the game on their own.
Ancelotti plans to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, positioning Bellingham as an attacking midfielder. This allows the four attackers to play in their most comfortable positions without getting in each other's way.
During training, the four players have shown great synergy, with Mbappe stating he has never played with such strong teammates and that they can even produce impressive plays during practice sessions.
Bellingham's versatility as an attacking midfielder allows him to push forward or drop back, creating more space for the other three attackers to move around.
Real Madrid's midfielders believe that with these four players up front, they don't need to overthink their passes; almost any pass could lead to a scoring opportunity.
Opposing defenders are intimidated by the sight of these four players together, unsure of who to mark, leaving gaps in their defense.
Fans are eagerly anticipating this match, as it marks the first time these four stars will start together, curious to see what kind of teamwork they can display.
Ancelotti admits that this formation is still in the experimental phase, though the training results have been promising. It remains to be seen if it will hold up in actual competition.
Real Madrid faces a busy month with La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey all coming up. The players admit that just thinking about it is tiring.
Ancelotti has started planning rotations, but key matches will still require the starters, lest a loss incurs fan backlash.
The players fear injuries the most in January due to the dense schedule, as even minor injuries could affect multiple games.
The fitness coaches have devised individual training plans for each player to help them endure the grueling schedule of the month.
Traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup is particularly troublesome due to the need to adjust to the time difference and climate, which could affect their performance upon return.
The final two group stage matches of the Champions League are also crucial, requiring full effort to avoid any mishaps that might lead to playing in the Europa League instead.
While the Copa del Rey is not as important, losing could lead to media criticism about Real Madrid not respecting cup competitions, so they cannot afford to relax too much.
Privately, the players express a desire to quickly widen the point gap, which would make subsequent matches less stressful.
Just two months ago, Real Madrid was nine points behind Barcelona, but now they are on the verge of leading by five points, a reversal that even the players find hard to believe.
Barcelona's recent poor form, with unexpected losses of points, has increased Real Madrid's confidence in their chances of winning the title this year.
Although Atletico Madrid is currently at the top, they have played more matches. Once Real Madrid completes their postponed matches, they could surpass them.
The players report that their current mindset is very positive, as the journey from being behind to taking the lead has brought them closer together and instilled greater confidence.
The media is saying that Real Madrid truly has a chance to win the title this time, given the team's overall strength and the quality of their substitutes.
Ancelotti emphasizes the importance of staying calm and not becoming complacent just because they are in the lead. Every match should be treated as a final.
Fans are thrilled to see the team climb back from a low point, and now they finally have a chance to reclaim the top spot.
The atmosphere in the locker room is excellent, with the players determined to maintain this momentum and end the suspense as soon as possible.