Real Madrid made it eight wins from eight matches since the October international break with a convincing 3-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday.
The result has left Jose Mourinho’s side in a stronger position ahead of the next international break, while prominent Real Madrid journalist Tomas Roncero has predicted that the club could go on to win La Liga.
Roncero, deputy editor of Spanish newspaper AS, analysed the match in a video that has been widely shared on YouTube and across social media.
“Eight wins in a row, eight victories from eight since the last break, and now we are heading towards the next one,” Roncero said, according to Defensa Central.
The journalist, who is a well-known Real Madrid supporter with a large following among the club’s fans, praised the performances of Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe.
“Bellingham, Arda Guler, Valverde and Mbappe are showing that Real Madrid are more than capable of winning,” he said. “At Mestalla, they did not even need an exceptional performance from Yan Diomande to get the victory.”
Roncero went on to identify Real Madrid as the leading candidate for the Spanish league title.
“Real Madrid under Mourinho are the strongest favourites to win La Liga,” he said. “They are an impeccable team, the side everyone must fight to beat.”
He added: “Since we lost that derby in that manner, with the infamous refereeing, Mourinho has managed everything smoothly since the break. The current Real Madrid are a formidable force, overpowering their opponents with overwhelming superiority.”
Roncero also criticised what he described as Valencia’s rough approach during the match, highlighting the number of fouls committed by the home side.
“Do you know how many fouls Valencia committed against Real Madrid? Twenty-six,” he said during the programme El Chiringuito. “It is the highest number of fouls an opponent has committed against Madrid in the past four seasons. I mean, analyse that statistic.”
He also singled out Valencia player Pablo Maffeo, claiming he could have been sent off before half-time following challenges involving Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande and Mbappe.
“I would ask one thing of Maffeo, or of the coaches: do not play him against Real Madrid, because the man becomes nervous, has a fit of rage and has a problem with Real Madrid,” Roncero said.
“Do not worry, Maffeo. Your status as Real Madrid’s most hated player is guaranteed, because it is clear that you have no affection for Real Madrid. You were lucky, because the referee should have sent you off.”
Roncero concluded by making a reference to Vinicius Junior, who was not involved in the match.
“What is wrong? Were you suffering from Vinicius syndrome?” he said. “Vinicius was not there, and you were on the verge of madness because you missed him so much that you picked a fight with the poor Brazilian. You need to relax.”
