Valencia 4-1 Real Madrid: 5 hits and flops as Soler hat-trick sinks champions | La Liga 2020-21

Hit: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Thibault Courtois was the only bright spot in Real Madrid's defence against Valencia.

A 'hit' despite conceding four goals? That's because Thibault Courtois really held his own even as Real Madrid's backline went through the motions. Interestingly, he dived the right way for all three of Valencia's penalties.

The towering Belgian was forced to make a couple of saves when the game was goalless. He even saved Soler's initial effort from the spot before the midfielder converted the retake. Later on, after the break, Courtois was at full stretch to deny Lee Kang-In's rasping effort from range, tipping it onto the post for one of his best saves this year.

Like it has been the case recently, Courtois was eventually let down by his own defence, and despite his best efforts, his clean sheet drought now extends to seven games in all competitions.

🧤🎙️ @thibautcourtois: “We've got to be mentally strong and keep going."#HalaMadrid | #RMLiga

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 9, 2020

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Flop: Isco (Real Madrid)

Isco missed a chance to prove himself to Zidane.

A fringe player for Real Madrid last season, Isco was heavily touted to leave in the summer, just like Gareth Bale, but opted to stay on and fight for his place. He was given a chance to do the same against Valencia. It was a golden opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in the XI, but Isco screwed it up..royally.

Starting on the left side of a three-man midfield, the 28-year old struggled to get involved in the game all night. He made 59 touches on the ball, the sixth most by any player in the game, but conjured nothing out of the ordinary besides one key pass early on.

Marco Asensio on the other flank was having a poor night too, but Isco's situation is far worse right now. He burst onto the scene with Los Blancos with much promise seven years ago, but at the Mestalla, the Spaniard failed to provide a reminder of his worth to the side. Isco doesn't seem to have much of a future at Madrid now.

🔄 83' | 4-1 | @realmadriden substitution: Jović ↔️ @isco_alarcon #ValenciaRealMadrid | #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/7akfOC2UPe

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 8, 2020

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Hit: Maxi Gomez (Valencia)

Maxi Gomez forced two mistakes from Real Madrid.

There were no goals for the Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomez against Real Madrid as his goal drought in the league extended to four games. But he was still very effective on the night for the Bats by forcing Real Madrid into mistakes with his movements on the ball and crosses inside the area.

It was Gomez's cross inside the Madrid box which Varane scuffed over into his own net to put Valencia ahead. Gomez then won his side's second penalty of the night in the 51st minute after drawing a foul from Marcelo.

With two goal-contributions, Gomez had a decent game.