Real Madrid 0-2 Celta Vigo. Not good… This is a quick reaction to the defeat. Up next: Player ratings, important questions and a podcast.
On paper, Real Madrid’s form was pretty good. Behind the scenes – there was clearly tension bubbling, which was shining through in recent performances. Fans were hoping the 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao would form some kind of turning point, and playing Celta Vigo at home could easily spring them back into full form. The defence however, was makeshift once more – as fans have become so accustomed to over the past few seasons. Offensively the team looked as dangerous as normal, with Fede Valverde leading the team out for this one. The full line-up can be seen below.
Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham got things going with their missed attempts, before Éder Militão would pick up a knock that would force him off of the pitch – in what would be another big blow to that back-line. Güler then missed another good chance, before Vinícius Júnior forced a save as Celta kept it goalless at the break.
Whilst Madrid had a stronger first-half, they’d really suffer in the second. Celta took the lead ten minutes into the second half, when a clever backheel was enough to beat Thibaut Courtois. Fran García would then be shown a second yellow, reducing Los Blancos down to ten men. This made it comfortable for the visitors, and other than a Kylian Mbappé half chance, Real Madrid were barely able to compete. Gonzalo García did come on, and almost made the difference as his header flew wide – but things would go from bad to worse from here. Ten became nine as Álvaro Carreras was shown two yellows himself – before Celta made it 2-0 with seconds to go. Full time: 2-0 to Celta Vigo – and a very, very bad showing from Xabi Alonso’s boys. Is this the worst performance/result of the season?