In yet another La Liga clash that highlighted Real Madrid’s attacking prowess, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr led the charge as Los Blancos edged past Celta Vigo 2-1 at the Balaidos stadium. While the victory was a testament to Real Madrid’s firepower in the final third, Carlo Ancelotti’s side remains far from convincing, raising questions ahead of their much-anticipated El Clasico against Barcelona.
Real Madrid’s Stars Shine
Despite a week of off-field headlines surrounding Kylian Mbappe, the French superstar delivered once again for Real Madrid. Mbappe opened the scoring with a spectacular shot into the top corner after just 20 minutes, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the best in the world. This was his best goal yet in the famous white shirt, setting the tone for what should have been a dominant Madrid performance.
However, Celta Vigo, unfazed by their superstar opposition, came roaring back. Williot Swedberg converted one of Celta’s many chances, leveling the score in the second half. It wasn’t until the introduction of Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric, who provided an exquisite assist for Vinicius Jr, that Madrid managed to secure all three points. The Brazilian’s winner came in the 79th minute, sealing the victory in what was otherwise a scrappy performance by the La Liga giants.
Ancelotti’s Tactical Dilemma
Carlo Ancelotti is undoubtedly a tactical genius, but his decisions in this match were puzzling at times. The tinkering with formations and personnel left Real Madrid looking disjointed in the midfield and exposed in defense. Despite the result, Real Madrid allowed Celta far too many chances, something that will need immediate attention with their fierce rivals Barcelona on the horizon.
While the attack continues to deliver, with Mbappe and Vinicius proving a lethal duo, Ancelotti’s biggest headache will be figuring out how to solidify a defense that appeared shaky against Celta Vigo’s pressure.
Player Ratings
Let’s break down how the key Real Madrid players performed in this match:
Goalkeeper & Defense:
- Thibaut Courtois (7/10): The Belgian goalkeeper made crucial saves, including a fantastic one in the first half to deny Swedberg. However, he could do nothing about the equalizer.
- Eder Militao (6/10): He was solid at times but part of a defense that was exposed far too easily by Celta’s attacking waves.
- Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10): Struggled with his positioning and looked lost for large portions of the game.
- Antonio Rudiger (5/10): Similar to Tchouameni, he was guilty of giving Celta Vigo too much space. Not his finest hour.
Midfield:
- Lucas Vazquez (6/10): Stepped in for Dani Carvajal, worked hard but was vulnerable defensively.
- Eduardo Camavinga (7/10): Energetic and instrumental in the first half, but was substituted after an hour.
- Fede Valverde (7/10): Another dynamic performance, including a strong shot early on, but was rested with 30 minutes to go.
- Fran Garcia (5/10): Unconvincing and was replaced by Ferland Mendy after struggling to contain Celta’s attacks.
Attack:
- Kylian Mbappe (8/10): Scored a stunning goal and was a constant threat. His pace and finishing were too much for Celta’s defense.
- Vinicius Jr (8/10): Always lively and delivered the crucial second goal to secure the win. His partnership with Mbappe is growing into something special.
- Jude Bellingham (6/10): Looked frustrated at times, particularly when Vinicius didn’t pass him the ball in good positions. Ran hard all night but didn’t get his name on the scoresheet.
Substitutes & Manager:
- Luka Modric (8/10): Proved why he’s still a crucial player, delivering the assist for Vinicius’ winner with a magical pass.
- Rodrygo (5/10): Came on but failed to make much of an impact in his 30-minute cameo.
- Ferland Mendy (5/10): Did not do much to improve the defense after replacing Fran Garcia.
- Carlo Ancelotti (5/10): His decision to constantly tinker with formations left his team disjointed. The defensive frailties will need immediate addressing, especially with Barcelona up next.
What’s Next for Real Madrid?
While this result keeps Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, it was far from a convincing performance. The team allowed Celta Vigo too many chances, and stronger sides like Barcelona will not be as forgiving. Ancelotti’s side will need to tighten up defensively and figure out how to balance the midfield if they hope to continue their winning run and challenge for the title.
FAQs
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr starred for Real Madrid, with both scoring goals to secure the 2-1 victory.
Real Madrid won 2-1, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, while Williot Swedberg scored for Celta Vigo.
Ancelotti’s tactical decisions were questionable, leaving the defense exposed and the team disjointed, despite securing the win.
Real Madrid faces a crucial El Clasico against Barcelona, where they’ll need to improve defensively if they want to continue their winning form.
Conclusion
Real Madrid fans will be pleased with the result but not with the manner of the performance. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are proving to be a formidable duo, but cracks are beginning to show elsewhere on the pitch. With El Clasico just around the corner, Ancelotti will need to solve his tactical puzzle quickly, or risk being outclassed by Barcelona. All eyes will now be on the upcoming showdown, where Madrid’s title credentials will truly be put to the test.
