After Real Madrid's gestures of solidarity towards the Valencia region, this Friday's match promises to be less tense, although the rivalry remains present on the pitch.
On this Friday, January 3, Real Madrid is preparing to face Valencia in a particular context which could prove calmer in the stands than usual.
While Mestalla has long been the scene of heated scenes between the two teams, the atmosphere around this match is marked by an unprecedented environment, after the recent tensions linked to Vinicius Junior and the extra-football events which shook the region.
From rivalry to cooperation, the impact of Real Madrid's help on Valencia
According to Relevo, after the DANA tragedy, Real Madrid provided considerable support to the Valencia region, a gesture that was widely praised by local public opinion.
The Madrid club not only made a donation of one million euros, but also organized a tribute to the victims at the Bernabéu, and agreed to reschedule the meeting in order to relieve the region.
This unprecedented solidarity has had a tangible impact on relations between the two clubs, and Valencia management is even planning a small symbolic gesture to thank Real Madrid for its help.
While this gesture will probably not be as grandiose as an official tribute, it nevertheless marks a major change in perspective. The old rivalry between the two clubs now seems eclipsed by a sense of empathy and cooperation in the face of the natural disaster.
The Santiago Bernabéu paid tribute to the victims of DANA. The Valencia public intend to thank Real Madrid for their support (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Vinicius Junior: a calmer welcome after the racist incidents at Mestalla
Attention will also be focused on Vinicius Junior, whose visit to Mestalla two years ago was overshadowed by racist incidents. That day, racist chants against the Brazilian led to legal convictions for several local supporters, creating shock waves on an international scale.
However, as Relevo reports, the controversy surrounding Vinicius seems much less virulent today than at the time. Several factors explain this lull, starting with the player's gestures of solidarity towards the Valencia region after the DANA.
Vinicius not only publicly expressed his support, but also quietly encouraged his teammates to make private donations to help the victims, a gesture welcomed but deliberately kept out of the spotlight.
So, although Vinicius remains a central player in this match, his return to Mestalla could be marked by a less hostile reception than during his previous visits.
Furthermore, a boycott movement, initiated by the Libertad Valencia platform, calls on some supporters not to enter the stadium during the match. Although this initiative is limited, it could help ease tensions in the stands.
If the rivalry between the two clubs remains on the pitch, it seems that the atmosphere at Mestalla is more measured this time, in a climate where solidarity and rivalry intersect in a new light.
Thibaud.
