Real Madrid fans were left puzzled by the decision to start right-back David Jimenez in their La Liga clash against Valencia, while summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench. Jimenez, who is only 21 years old, was making his first La Liga start of the season after previously playing just one minute in a match against Sevilla.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment with Jimenez’s inclusion in the starting line-up, with many questioning the decision. One fan wrote, “‘Jimenez’ yeah we’re cooked,” while another commented, “Yeah, we are getting cooked lmao, Jimenez gimmick against Valencia away.” Another fan expressed their disbelief, saying, “Lunin?? Jimenez?? This club is not serious.”
However, there were some supporters who were more optimistic about Jimenez’s inclusion, with one fan commenting, “Bold decision from Arbeloa to play Jimenez in such an intense game. Hope he does well.” Real Madrid were on a six-game winning streak in the league and were looking to close the four-point gap with leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa acknowledged the challenge that Valencia posed in his pre-match press conference. He praised the quality of the opposition and the work done by Valencia’s manager Carlos Corberan since his arrival at the club. Arbeloa emphasized the importance of giving their best to secure the three points, which was their goal for the match.
The reverse fixture between Real Madrid and Valencia ended in a 4-0 victory for Los Blancos, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace and Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras also getting on the scoresheet. Arbeloa highlighted the difficulty of playing at the Mestalla and recognized that beating Real Madrid was a challenge for all teams, especially Valencia.
As the match unfolded, fans eagerly awaited the outcome of Jimenez’s performance and whether Real Madrid could secure another crucial victory in their pursuit of the La Liga title. The decision to start the young right-back was met with mixed reactions, but ultimately, it was up to Jimenez to prove his worth on the pitch.
