Real had to share points with Valencia at Bernabeu

The reigning La Liga champions could only manage a 2-2 draw in their latest match of the second round.

Goals: Asensio 10', 83' - Soler 18', Kondogbia 77'

Real opened the scoring early against Valencia but could not maintain their advantage. With some good coordination, the visitors equalized and took the lead again. To earn a point, the reigning La Liga champions once again had to rely on the goalscoring talent of young striker Marco Asensio.

Asensio (in white) scored a beautiful double against Valencia. Photo: Reuters

Without Valencia's two goals, Asensio's performance might have been more meaningful. The 21-year-old striker impressed the audience with a breakthrough curling shot to open the scoring and a direct free kick to equalize 2-2. Asensio's double came from a left foot that coach Zinedine Zidane once compared to Lionel Messi.

In addition to the two goals scored by "number 20", Real also had a number of other chances but the remaining attackers all missed. Isco almost scored a goal if he had not pushed the ball too long in a delicious situation in the middle of the first half, and Benzema missed a clear situation when he shot over the bar from just five meters away.

While the attack still created many opportunities, the back line really became a big problem for coach Zidane. With captain Ramos suspended and Varane injured, the French coach was forced to pull Casemiro back to play as a central defender with Nacho. This was a somewhat reluctant choice and quickly showed its shortcomings through the two goals conceded.

In addition to Real's defensive problems, Valencia scored two goals thanks to their coordination in attack. Carlos Soler had a very open move without the ball when receiving a cross from the left wing and then connected to equalize 1-1 in the 18th minute. Also from a pass like a set piece in the penalty area, midfielder Kondogbia scored a low shot to increase the score to 2-1 in the 77th minute.

Valencia could have taken all three points if they had defended more solidly in the final minutes. The visitors made mistakes both in their defence and in goalkeeper Neto's judgement when defending a free kick in the 83rd minute. With a powerful and accurate shot, Asensio sent the ball flying just past Neto but still went straight into the goal.

Along with Ramos and Varane, Real are also without Cristiano Ronaldo, with last season's UEFA Player of the Year serving the third of a five-match ban for pushing a referee.

With the draw against Valencia, Real have only four points after the first two rounds of La Liga. The defending champions are currently ranked fifth, two points behind Sociedad, Barca and Leganes.

Valencia also has four points but is ranked sixth due to inferior sub-index. In the first round, "the bats" only won Las Palmas with a score of 1-0.

According to VNE