As Real Madrid welcomes Valencia, much attention falls on Carlo Ancelotti's potential lineup choices, particularly in goal. Andriy Lunin's form has reportedly given the Italian manager food for thought, creating uncertainty about who will start.
Valencia, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle not just tactically but historically. Their inability to win at the Santiago Bernabéu for 17 years weighs heavily. Their last victory on this ground dates back to 2008, a statistic that underscores the difficulty visiting teams face against Real Madrid at home.
Compounding Valencia's challenge is the suspension of three key figures: captain José Gayà, winger Luis Rioja, and versatile defender/midfielder Dimitri Foulquier. Their absence due to accumulated yellow cards weakens Valencia significantly, particularly in defence and attack transition, making their task against the league leaders even more formidable.