Valencia: In a highly anticipated match, Valencia and Real Madrid will kick off the 2025 La Liga season on Friday, marking an important fixture that could see Real Madrid rise to the top of the league standings. The match, initially scheduled for November, was postponed due to devastating floods in the Valencia region, which resulted in over 200 fatalities and extensive damage that the area is still grappling with.
According to Namibia Press Agency, significant changes have occurred at Valencia CF, with Carlos Corberan stepping in as head coach after replacing Ruben Baraja just before Christmas. Corberan, formerly of West Brom, faces a challenging debut as Valencia currently sits 19th in the league, having accumulated only 12 points from their first 17 matches. Adding to the complexity, a section of Valencia supporters has threatened to boycott the match at Mestalla Stadium in protest against club owner Peter Lim’s management.
The match against Valencia signals the start of a demanding January schedule for Real Madrid. Following the league game, they will compete in a Copa del Rey tie against fourth-tier Deportivo Minera in Cartagena. Subsequently, the team will travel to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Mallorca on January 9, with the final slated for three days later, should they advance. A potential midweek Copa del Rey match awaits, contingent on a victory against Deportivo Minera, before Madrid returns to La Liga action on January 19.
Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is buoyed by the return of David Alaba, who has resumed full training after a year-long knee injury absence. Although the team will be without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, the rest of the squad is fit for selection. The team ended 2024 on a high note, with Kylian Mbappe hitting form in attack and Jude Bellingham excelling in a more advanced midfield role, making them favorites against Valencia.
In addition to the La Liga opener, Friday’s schedule features three Copa del Rey third-round matches. Second-tier Racing Ferrol and Granada will host top-flight teams Rayo Vallecano and Getafe, respectively, while fourth-tier Pontevedra will face Mallorca after defeating Villarreal in the previous round.
