Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo | La Liga GW 34 | OneFootball

Numbers portray a 5-2 win for Real Madrid the last time they took on Celta Vigo. The game was in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, and the result indicates that Los Blancos hammered the Galicians.

It is, however, as far from the truth as can be for the game that night was anything but simple for Real Madrid.

After taking a 2-0 lead, Real Madrid conceded two goals in the final ten minutes to take the game to extra-time where they eventually managed to get the better of the Galicians. Celta, in fact, were the team pressing for most of the game.

Tomorrow, the game repeats itself, this time in La Liga and with stakes equally as high, if not higher, than their previous meeting.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo.

A broken defence

The manner in which Real Madrid suffered blow after blow in defence last week is perhaps unheard of, for Los Blancos lost the core of their defence in just a matter of hours.

First, Antonio Rudiger was announced to be undergoing surgery after rumours of his prolonged suspension, thus ruling him out for the league campaign.

Hours later, word of Ferland Mendy’s surgery came out and it was revealed that the Frenchman would be out of action until the end of the season as well.

Just when it appeared like matters could not get worse, Real Madrid confirmed David Alaba’s surgery as well, and Carlo Ancelotti is now in a seriously unpleasant situation.

Heading into tomorrow’s game, he must trust Raul Asencio to lead the defence for the men in white. Considering that he does not rate Jesus Vallejo, it will be Aurelien Tchouameni who will drop back into defence and it is clear that the situation is concerning.

Further, Eduardo Camavinga and Mendy’s season-ending injuries mean that Fran Garcia is the only senior left-back in the squad. The defensive line looks highly fragile and could fall into trouble against Celta’s ruthless attack.

Arda Guler’s audition

Guler has been impressive of late. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

There have not been too many bright sparks for Real Madrid in recent weeks, for the men in white threw away not only the UEFA Champions League but also the Spanish Cup.

One player who has left a net positive impression, however, is Arda Guler who Carlo Ancelotti has not shown too much support to this season.

The youngster started and played 78 minutes of Real Madrid’s recent game against Getafe and scored the match-winning goal in the 21st minute on the night. Further, he had three key passes and completed 87% of his passes.

He then came on as a substitute against Barcelona in the cup final and was one of the team’s better players during his time on the field. In 65 minutes including extra time, he once again racked up three key passes and created one assist.

Ahead of the potential league-deciding Clasico, Ancelotti could thus look to give Guler a platform to prove his worth once again. The Turkish star’s audition-of-sorts could thus be tomorrow against Celta Vigo. A lot thus rides of his performance.

A final before the final

The title race in La Liga is now very close to being decided and Real Madrid’s chances of taking home the title grow smaller with every passing matchday.

The only factor that gives Los Blancos hope is the fact that there is a Clasico yet to be played which can potentially cut the deficit with Barcelona to one point should Real Madrid.

It is indeed improbable for the men in white to get the better of Barcelona, especially given their fragmented defence. For them to even have the chance, however, they must reach the Clasico with the four-point gap intact at least.

A defeat tomorrow against the Galicians could leave Barcelona seven points clear, provided they beat Valladolid, and with a chance to win the league title in El Clasico – the worst possible manner Real Madrid could hope for the season to end.

Tomorrow’s game, thus, is a final before a final. The Clasico may indeed be the game that decides the title race, but for it to be the ‘final’ it is hyped to be, Real Madrid must beat Celta Vigo.