Real Madrid 2-2 Valencia: Five things we learned

Real Madrid had to come from behind to salvage a point in their first home league match of the season.

Brimming with confidence after their opening day 3-0 away win at Deportivo, Madrid were favorites at the Bernabeu, on a night when the La Liga title won last season was delivered to the team.

Real Madrid had visible problems going into the match. With only one fully fit centre back, Ronaldo and Ramos missing due to suspensions, it was clear that the eleven on the pitch and the selected substitutes must give their all against an ever formidable opposition in Valencia.

As expected, the home side took charge of the game in the tenth minute when Asensio blasted home from outside the box with what has become his trademark goal, giving Real Madrid the lead.

The lead was however short lived as Carlos Soler tapped in from close range after a great ball into the Real Madrid box by Lato in the 17th minute.

Both teams created goal scoring chances, but failed to hit the back of the net with Karim Benzema  missing some glorious chances.

New signing Kondogbia gave Valencia the lead in the 77th minute from a sleek move, but Marco Asensio had the final say when he slotted a well taken free kick home to rescue a point for the Los Blancos in the 83rd minute.

Here are the main talking points from the match:

1. Asensio: The Anointed one

With Ronaldo and Ramos missing, Madrid needed an inspiration, and unsurprisingly the 21 year old stood up to be counted.

Asensio has created a niche for himself by scoring key goals in key matches against top opponents. And this much further highlights his importance to the new Madrid.

Whenever he shoots, he scores. And on a day when the other attacking players were down and woeful, the youngster stole the spotlights once again. 

2. The fragile defence

Looking at the lineup, it was glaring that Real Madrid's makeshift centre defence pairing of Casemiro and Nacho will have to be on top of their game for Madrid to be defensively home and dry. 

Casemiro had a tough evening against Zaza, but made some great blocks. Nacho couldn't establish his authority on the game,  and Carvajal didn't provide enough defensive cover on the right. Clearly Real Madrid missed Varane and Sergio Ramos on the night.

The Valencia forwards were finding space between Casemiro and Nacho, and both Valencia goals were a result of defensive error from the Real Madrid back line.

Hopefully Ramos and Varane will be back for the next match.

3. Benzema and Bale must step up or step aside

Over the past few years, the media have created a buzz around the famous BBC (Bale-Benzema-C. Ronaldo) attacking partnership.

But from the look of things against Valencia, the missing Cristiano Ronaldo is more potent than the available Bale and Benzema. 

Bale is yet to get into the form that made him one of the most feared winger in European football, while Bemzema misses more chances than he scores.

With the emergence of players like Isco and Asensio, Bale and Benzema must either step up or step aside.

4. Real Madrid lacked coordination without Ramos and Ronaldo

Without Ronaldo in games against Barcelona and Deportivo, Real Madrid scored goals and conceded non. 

Without Ramos and Ronaldo against Valencia, Real struggled defensively and offensively.

Against Valencia, the team not only lacked coordination defensively, but also missed precision and accuracy upfront.

The match clearly showed the influence Ronaldo and Ramos have within the current Real Madrid setup.

Thankfully, they both will be back soon.

5. Morata sale may hunt Madrid

It still may be too early, but only few clubs can stand the effect of losing a 20 goal striker without replacing him.  That is what Zidane and his Real Madrid squad must do this season.

Last season, Morata provided the extra goal scoring threat from the bench, but against Valencia, Zidane had to bring in the young inexperienced Mayoral in search of a goal.

It was clear that Real Madrid lacked the predatory instinct of Morata against Valencia, while Benzema kept losing chances Morata would most likely have converted. If this is a sign of things to come, Real Madrid may be in for a long season.