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Real Madrid maintained their strong form in a convincing 5-0 victory over fourth-tier Deportiva Minera in the Copa del Rey round of 32 on Monday night. In a match that was never in doubt, they scored five goals but could have scored 10 more. Here are three very quick observations from the game:
Fede Valverde played well… but why did he play?
Fede Valverde has started every game this season and it would be difficult to find a game in which he has actually been completely rested. Even when he is not a starter, he comes off the bench to see victory or try to turn a losing situation into something positive. He has not been on the bench for a full match since Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory over Granada in May 2024. That was also the only match of the entire season in which this was the case.
Valverde is an immaculate human being and a brilliant footballer, as well as relentless and durable. But even he needs some rest. Although there were no casualties in the match (Valverde even scored the first goal for Real Madrid), it was very possible that Real Madrid would have won the match without needing Valverde’s talent.
We must give a rest to a player as important as him. Having players like Chema or Dani Ceballos in their place would not have made a big difference in the result.
Still, Valverde played pretty well, but everyone knew that was going to happen. Mr. Reliable.
Endrick did everything but score
Endrick had a tough night and it wasn’t because of a lack of confidence or making bad decisions. In fact, everything he could control, he did; Endrick overall played a good game. His passing was good, he was involved in the play and used his frame to intimidate defenders on some occasions.
What was missing was the final product, and it was through no fault of his own. Deportivo Minera goalkeeper Fran Martínez, a former Real Madrid youth player in 2016, made 17 saves that night, and five of them were on goal attempts by Endrick. Endrick actually had a good statistical game, which was expected since he was facing a fourth division team, but he just couldn’t find the back of the net as every time he came close, Martinez became the Endrick’s second. His Belgian teammate Thibaut Courtois.
Endrick needed that goal, not only to cap off a good performance, but also for his own confidence and continuity. It’s a shame that it didn’t come to him, but he deserves to play a little more than he currently plays despite not scoring against Minera.
The situation of the right side
Real Madrid had a defensive line of Fabrica players: Lorenzo Aguado, Raúl Asencio, Diego Aguado and Fran García were starters in the first team, and a couple of them did so for the first time.
Lorenzo Aguado in particular had an impressive game, being a constant nuisance and threat to the Minera defense on every occasion. His center could use some work, but overall he provided plenty of width, combined with his teammates to create chances and put in a truly impressive performance.
It makes me wonder; Could Real Madrid have at least called up Jesús Fortea for this squad? If his argument was that he is too young, then he is only a month younger than Diego Aguado. He also plays on several occasions against fourth division teams in Real Madrid C.
It just doesn’t make sense that a player as talented as Fortea isn’t called up to play in these games. It may not make sense for him to be a starter, but it definitely made sense for him to come in as a substitute. It’s disconcerting.
