By Neel Shelat
Defence rejig is to ensure that Actual Madrid
On the again of final weekend’s El Clásico humiliation, Carlo Ancelotti will fairly doubtless attempt to change one thing in his Actual Madrid aspect. Their depleted defence ought to get essentially the most consideration because it was badly uncovered by some comparatively easy fast attacking play. It was notably weak on the precise, the place Aurélien Tchouaméni was at centre-back and Lucas Vázquez within the full again place.
There have been a number of points in Los Blancos’ defensive block which Ancelotti acknowledged, however they have been hardly new developments. Actual Madrid had comparable weaknesses final season, however their superior participant high quality masked that in most matches. This time period, the season-ending ACL accidents to Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão have merely exacerbated what was at all times an underlying downside.
Until the Spanish champions make any signings within the January window, Ancelotti must trend a long-term resolution from the restricted choices he has. 21-year-old Raúl Asencio will probably be eager to get some extra common sport time, whereas David Alaba might quickly change into an choice having returned from an ACL damage himself.
Star striker Aspas an enormous miss for Celta
Iago Aspas remains to be going sturdy for Celta Vigo on the ripe previous age of 37. He’s their prime scorer in LaLiga with six objectives and has three assists as well, making him the staff’s most respected attacking contributor.
Nonetheless, the previous Liverpool ahead suffered a calf damage in Celta’s first match of 2025 – their earlier Copa del Rey tie in opposition to Racing Santander. He’s anticipated to be out till early February, so Los Celestes must discover a completely different supply of objectives for the following couple of weeks at the least.
Celta eager to provide Actual Madrid’s defence one other check
Regardless of Aspas’ absence, Celta Vigo will again themselves to create some possibilities in opposition to Actual Madrid. Though Claudio Giráldez’s males ended up on the shedding aspect when the 2 groups met earlier within the season, they managed to outshine the defending champions each by way of the standard and amount of possibilities created.
Certainly, Celta have sustained a reasonably spectacular stage of attacking output to date this season. They’re sixth within the league by way of objectives in addition to xG and now have the fifth-highest possession common. Though they may probably not do in addition to Barcelona, they definitely have the potential to place some slick strikes collectively.
Actual Madrid’s spotless head-to-head report
Actual Madrid have received every of their final 9 fixtures in opposition to Celta Vigo in a run that predates Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment. Their head-to-head unbeaten run stretches again nearly eight years, although their final defeat did are available a Copa del Rey tie on the Santiago Bernabéu. One Iago Aspas was the star of the present that day with a aim and help.
Prediction
As is so typically the case, Actual Madrid’s superior participant high quality ought to nearly get them over the road.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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