Real Madrid News
Valencia star looking to haunt former club Real Madrid at the Bernabeu – ‘I hope to score again’
Valencia’s rising star Diego Lopez has made his intentions clear ahead of their upcoming clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 22-year-old, who has emerged as a crucial player for Valencia, hopes to replicate a memorable moment from two seasons ago when he scored his first top-flight goal against Los Blancos.
Back then, Lopez was still making his way through Valencia’s reserve team, but his decisive strike against Real Madrid resulted in a surprise victory for the Valencians. Fast forward to today, and Lopez is an undisputed starter.
Want to score against Real Madrid
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Lopez expressed his desire to find the back of the net once more against his former club’s senior side.
“It’s only been two years, but the change is big. There, I had played four or five games in the First Division; now, I’ve played many more.
“I hope it happens again on Saturday and I score again against Real Madrid, although if we win it’s enough for me, as if they want to score in their own goal,” Lopez stated as quoted by SPORT.
Playing at Santiago Bernabeu
While the previous goal came at the Mestalla, this time Lopez will face the daunting challenge of scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu—an arena where Valencia has not tasted victory since 2008.
Despite the intimidating setting, Lopez remains undaunted, emphasising that the size of the pitch and the number of players on it remain unchanged.
“The Bernabeu is the Bernabeu, but where we play is a field with almost the same dimensions.
“We are still playing 11 against 11, and we have to focus on what happens on the pitch even though the stadium is very nice and the stands are full,” he added.
The upcoming fixture holds additional weight for Lopez, who spent his formative years at Real Madrid’s academy before making his mark elsewhere.
For Valencia, securing a positive result at the Bernabéu would be a massive boost, especially considering their struggles away from home against Real Madrid.
As a former Real Madrid academy player, scoring at the Bernabeu would be especially sweet for Lopez. But for Valencia, any result that sees them leave Madrid with points would be considered a success.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid impressed by midfielder’s role with national team, believe Mourinho can replicate it
According to journalist Anton Meana on SER Deportivos, Eduardo Camavinga’s role with the French national team is attracting attention inside Real Madrid.
The midfielder has not enjoyed his best spell in a Real Madrid shirt and has come under scrutiny for his recent performances, particularly his display against Bayern Munich, which many felt contributed to the club’s elimination from last season’s Champions League.
Although Camavinga has not been one of Jose Mourinho’s most frequently used players since the new season began, his situation could now change, particularly after his performances during the latest international break.
Camavigna impressed with France
During the international break, Camavinga earned a recall to the French national team under new manager Zinedine Zidane.
And the 23-year-old starlet made the most of his chance, impressing in the two starts he made against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.
The France coaching staff is understood to have been very pleased with the midfielder, and now, it seems that those at Real Madrid have taken pointers from the development.
“At the club, they are happy with the role that Zinedine Zidane, Florentino Pérez’s favourite coach, has given Camavinga with France,” Meana explained.
Real Madrid want to see more of Camavinga on the ball
At Real Madrid, there is a belief that the version of Camavinga seen with France is particularly valuable.
He has been active both with and without the ball, operating in midfield and playing more as a number six than a deeper holding midfielder.
The club believe that this version of Camavinga gives France a great deal and that Mourinho could replicate the approach at Real Madrid.
The club’s midfield department continues to generate doubts, with none of the players making the starting spots their own.
Tthe names of Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva have all been considered, but there remains a feeling inside Real Madrid that the midfield lacks enough creativity and control.
Camavinga could therefore have an important role in addressing that problem, particularly if he can reproduce the performances he has delivered under Zidane with France.
“It is an alternative that the club views favourably after what they have seen from Zidane’s France during this international break, with the idea that Eduardo Camavinga should have more involvement in the team’s possession,” Meana concluded.
Camavinga, for his part, is aware that he has been unable to live up to his full potential at Real Madrid so far. Having shown signs of regaining form and confidence, he will be gunning to build on it once he returns to the club.
