MADRID, Jan 3 (AFP): La Liga leaders Real Madrid face one of their toughest tests since embarking on a 22-game winning streak back in September when they start 2015 with a trip to Valencia Sunday.
Los Che have reason to be optimistic in the new year with a return to Champions League football for next season top of their agenda.
Valencia sit fourth, a solitary point above Sevilla, Villarreal and Malaga, but demonstrated their financial advantage over the other Champions League hopefuls following Singaporean businessman Peter Lim's recent acquisition of the club by splashing out 25 million euros (£19.4 million, $30 million) on Argentine international midfielder Enzo Perez this week.
"I have the greatest expectations of making a good start here," Perez said as he was presented to the Valencia fans Friday.
Perez is expected to make his Mestalla debut against a Real side still shorn of Luka Modric through injury.
Sergio Ramos is also a serious doubt having played with a calf injury as the European champions ended 2014 by collecting their fourth trophy of the year in the Club World Cup against San Lorenzo a fortnight ago.
Real streak threatened by buoyant Valencia
FE Team | Published: January 04, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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