Real Madrid: 5 players to watch on Celta Vigo for Matchday 24

Real Madrid will face Celta Vigo on Matchday 24 at the Santiago Bernabeu, and here are five players for Los Blancos to watch closely.

Although it may be tempting to take Celta Vigo, who currently sit four points above the relegation zone in 17th place, lightly, Real Madrid won’t overlook any opponent in La Liga. Perfection will be needed to hold off FC Barcelona to win the league crown, especially since Barca can only get better from here with Antoine Griezmann clicking at striker, Lionel Messi shredding defenses with his passing, and Ansu Fati and Junior Firpo breaking out.

Celta have a few players Zinedine Zidane will have to be wary of on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu. The likes of Iago Aspas and Rafinha may not be world-class superstars a la Karim Benzema and Isco, but they are dangerous players capable of disrupting defenses.

Here are five players for Madridistas to keep a close eye on this Sunday night when Real Madrid defend the Bernabeu against the upstarts from Galicia.

ST Iago Aspas

It all starts with Iago Aspas, who has been a national team quality player and is the clear star man for Celta Vigo. Aspas leads the team with eight goals, as no other player on the team has scored more than two goals this season.

He’ll be trusted to do most of the damage against Real, and Los Blancos really only have to worry about keeping him quiet in front of goal. That’s easier said than done, though, especially with the likes of Rafinha and Santi Mina in the attacking midfield.

Aspas, per WhoScored.com, is more than a passer. He’s a competent creative outlet for others, too, with 1.5 key passes per game, two fouls drawn per game, and 1.8 dribbles completed per game. He’s by far the most trigger-happy attacker in front of goal for Celta, and Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos will keep close tabs on him.