La Liga 2017/18: Real Madrid 2-2 Valencia, 5 Talking Points

#2 The omens look good for Marcelino

Real Madrid v Valencia - La Liga

What was telling in the final moments of the game was Valencia boss Marcelino putting a striker on and going for the win. This isn't a team likely to get beaten 7-0 by Barcelona and give up the ghost - Los Che look like a club that's remembering its status and prestige.

You could have forgiven the visitors for letting their heads drop when Asensio scored in the 10th minute, but no - Valencia youngsters Carlos Soler and Toni Lato combined to level things up minutes later. Marcelino is the perfect manager to oversee the development of these youths, having had great success with the youngsters at Villarreal.

If anything, Valencia may be disappointed to have not walked away with all three points after Geoffrey Kondogbia gave them the lead with 13 minutes to go.

This is a team whose new signings seem to have accepted their manager's beliefs and are gelling together with some very promising youngsters. Expect Valencia to challenge for Europe this season.