Celta Vigo vs. Real Madrid: 3 tactical decisions to watch

Real Madrid will travel to the Balaidos on Saturday afternoon to face Celta Vigo in La Liga. Their past three league matches have all been struggles, as they drew 1-1 with both Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, needing late goals to get a point in each. And then they barely beat Elche 2-1 last weekend, with Karim Benzema playing the hero with a brace after Toni Kroos and Luka Modric needed to be subbed in.

In spite of those issues, Real Madrid are riding high right now, because they dominated Atalanta 3-1 in the Champions League. They also beat Saturday’s opponents 2-0 earlier this season.

Let’s take a look at three tactical decisions that could shape what we see unfold before us this weekend in Vigo.

Will Real Madrid stick with the back three?

Last month, Zinedine Zidane utilized a back three to great effect against Getafe, defeating the struggling Spanish side 2-0. And then last weekend, he utilized it in a 2-1 win over Elche, with Nacho Fernandez, Raphael Varane, and a returning Sergio Ramos all starting.

He used that same back three against Atalanta, matching their back three and winning 3-1. Real Madrid were stout defensively and blew everyone away with how they played out of the press. Luka Modric thrived in a deep-lying playmaking role, recovering balls frantically to help replace the suspended Casemiro.

Let’s see if Zidane calls upon this back line again on Saturday, and he has options. Aside from those three names – all of whom have been stalwarts this season – he can also use Ferland Mendy as a center back in the back three or even Eder Militao. Mendy was excellent in this role against Getafe.