Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid: Match Preview, Team News, and Injury Update
By Alex McVey
Real Madrid travel to Galicia to take on Celta Vigo in their penultimate match of the season. Real Madrid need four points from the next 2 matches to lock up the La Liga title. Here’s Alex McVey with your match preview.
We’re halfway through May, and Real Madrid is still fighting for trophies in two competitions. While Madrid could have had a more secure lead on the league title had they not lost to Barcelona in the spring El Clásico, such is not the case. Assuming Barca win their match against Eibar this weekend, Madrid now need one win and one draw to secure the La Liga title.
Celta Vigo is the next test that stands in Madrid’s way. Real Madrid was supposed to play against Celta Vigo earlier in the year, but the match was postponed due to storm damage at the Balaidos.
Celta is sitting at 13th place in the La Liga table. However, this lowly place may be somewhat deceptive. Celta have been resting players in the league in preparation for their Europa League semifinal clash against Manchester United.
This strategy resulted in a precipitous decline. Celta have not won a single La Liga match in 9 matches, when they managed to get a result against an awful Granada side. As a result, Celta have seen their place in the league table plummet, from 8th place all the way down to 13.
Having been eliminated from the Europa League, Celta no longer have any reason to rest players.
With only two matches left, no trophies to win, and no relegation or European competition at stake, Celta have nothing but pride left to fight for, but also no reason why they can’t risk it all to get one over on Madrid.
Celta have nothing but pride left to fight for, but also no reason why they can’t risk it all to get one over on Madrid.
Nevertheless, their form has been absolutely abysmal. Celta may find that the strategy of making heavy rotations for the past few months comes at a price. It is difficult to go from playing poorly week in and week out to turning out a result against a rampant Los Blancos side.
Real Madrid will be without Nacho Fernandez, who was suspended after earning a yellow card against Sevilla. Madrid tried to appeal the decision, but the appeal was denied.
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James Rodriguez also has a knock, and won’t be traveling with the team.
Pepe, on the other hand, looks like he has recovered from his broken ribs, and will at least travel with the squad. That’s good news, because with Nacho suspended, Madrid was looking a bit thin at the back.
Madrid are also still missing Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale through injury. While they are working to get ready for the Champions League final in Cardiff, they will be unavailable against Celta.
Marca reports that Zinedine Zidane is done with his wildly successful rotation policy. There will be no more A-squad or B-squad, Madrid is going to roll out the once de gala for all three remaining matches.
Real Madrid absolutely have to avoid a defeat against Celta. If Madrid can manage to come away with all three points against Celta, they will have made their task on the last day much easier.