Real Madrid will be looking to make it three in a row as they visit Celta Vigo in La Liga. With victories over Athletic Bilbao and Almeria this season, Los Blancos are presently in first place with six points. Celta is in sixteenth place with just one point after two games.
Preview (Celta Vigo vs. Real Madrid)
On August 13, Celta lost 2-0 at home to Osasuna to begin their league campaign. They came dangerously close to losing again last weekend at Real Sociedad. In fact, Ander Barrenetxea gave the home team the lead in the 22nd minute of play. It remained that way until Oscar Mingueza equalized in the fourth minute of extra time. Rafael Benitez, who took over as head coach for the first time after the outcome. He will now manage the team he oversaw from June 2015 to January 2016.
Celta has competed in Spain’s top division for the last 12 seasons. With only one top-half finish since the 2015–16 season, there is obviously potential for improvement. During the summer transfer window, the Sky Blues were able to add five players to the squad. Carles Perez, Carl Starfelt, Carlos Dotor, Jonathan Bamba, and Manu Sanchez. Real Madrid, on the other hand, is in first place after two matches after starting their campaign. A 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on August 12 and then defeating Almeria 3-1 the previous weekend.
Jude Bellingham has so far been the show’s hero. He has scored three goals in his first two outings and appears quite at home in the illustrious strip. Real Madrid’s first home match of the season will be against Getafe on September 2. A victory over Celta on Friday night would enhance their strong start. It will be interesting to watch what Los Blancos can accomplish in this new 4-3-1-2 configuration. Bellingham will play as the advanced midfielder behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. They attempt to win back the La Liga championship after losing to Barcelona last season. Real Madrid has won six straight league games against Celta, including a 4-1 triumph in the rematch from last season. They haven’t suffered a La Liga loss to the Sky Blues since May 2014.
Team News
Due to muscular issues, Goncalo Paciencia and Carles Perez were unable for Celta’s match against Real Sociedad, and they won’t be available on Friday against Real Madrid either. The two players vying for a spot in the team, Dotor and Franco Cervi, may be pushing the hardest, but it may be business as usual this time around with Jorgen Strand Larsen expected to start alongside Iago Aspas in attack. For their third game, Real Madrid will once again be without Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, and Arda Guler.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined on loan from Chelsea, was not used as a substitute against Almeria the last time around, but he is anticipated to start this game. Toni Kroos is most likely to move to the bench as Ancelotti is also expected to call up Eduardo Camavinga, who missed the start against Almeria due to muscular exhaustion. The Croatian is expected to be among the replacements once more, thus Luka Modric will have to accept a smaller role this season. Camavinga is likely to replace Kroos as the lone outfield substitution for this match.
Real Madrid could find it difficult to win this game, but Celta has the ability to make it hard for Real Madrid. Bellingham has been brilliant in his first two games for the team, and we anticipate that he will play a significant role in Ancelotti’s team securing a victory once more.
Celta Vigo 0 – 2 Real Madrid
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