The Real Champs
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3 reasons for optimism after Real Madrid’s draw against Valencia

By Alex McVey

MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid leaves the field after Real drew 2-2 with Valencia CF during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain . (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid leaves the field after Real drew 2-2 with Valencia CF during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain . (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid fans, in general, don’t take it well when Madrid drops points. So when Real Madrid drew 2-2 against Valencia in their home opener this past weekend, Madridistas everywhere went into full-on crisis mode. But it’s not all cause for commotion. Alex McVey gives you three reasons why Real Madrid fans shouldn’t freak out about the Valencia draw… yet.

MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 27: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his teamÕs 1st goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain . (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 27: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his teamÕs 1st goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 27, 2017 in Madrid, Spain . (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

Yes, Real Madrid had to settle for a single measly point against Valencia. Yes, Karim Benzema made an absolute mess of it by missing chance-after-chance that could have put Madrid up. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of positives to take from this match. Here are three positives from Real Madrid’s draw.

1. Real Madrid’s underlying statistics were good

Madrid’s underlying chance creation statistics (obtained from understat.com)  from this match were top notch.

Real Madrid created 3.35 xG, and contained Valencia to just .8 xG. That makes for an xG difference of +2.46 for Real Madrid. If this match were played again, chances say Real Madrid would be able to pull off the victory.

Not only were Real Madrid making enough chances that they may have reasonably expected 3 goals, but they were able to hold Valencia to under a single xG, despite having a makeshift back-line with Casemiro deputizing at center-back.

It’s true, Real Madrid started this match off flat. As the xG timeline above shows, Real Madrid were thoroughly outplayed in the first half. Save Asensio’s improbable wonderstrike, Madrid didn’t do much until right before the end of the first half.

But then, as is characteristic of Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid, the last 30 minutes saw a barrage of attack from the men in white. Real Madrid were not lagging behind in the creation of quality shots.

Real Madrid had all the tools they needed to win this match. This match was not a catastrophe, and doesn’t signal some deeper flaw in Zidane’s schema. If a few things go slightly different for Real Madrid, we’re talking about a much better result.

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