He real Madrid took three gold points in Balaídos this Saturday in a match saved thanks to two flashes from Mbappé and Modric. Ancelotti’s men, still far from the expected level, suffered against a brave Celta to get a fundamental victory away from home before the Clásico the next day at the Bernabéu.
The merengue team was not comfortable against an opponent with chances, with control of the ball and with offensive ambition throughout the game. Madrid also pushed and the clash was an entertaining back-and-forth where the reigning League and Champions League champions dominated. Mbappé and Vinícius made the difference.
Once again, the whites showed quality, also that of Thibaut Courtois with two vital interventions, to extend a good momentum of results and add 24 points, the same as the leader FC Barcelona, who plays on Sunday against Sevilla. A good return after the break ahead of a week marked by the matches against Dortmund and the Clásico against Barça.
This time, there was no ‘FIFA virus’ for Madrid. Their two stars, physically touched, rested and performed in Balaídos, even though the visitors sweated and asked for the time. The screams in the first half of Ancelotti placing his team were clear proof that Madrid had a hard time finding its place in Vigo.
Celta started better and comfortable with the ball, despite a dangerous back-and-forth, and Williot Swedberg missed an unbeatable chance, alone and with plenty of time to finish, against a Courtois who even deflected the shot into a corner. Without disturbing but leaving its signature little by little, like the rain that did not stop falling in Vigo, Madrid began to take center stage with Vinícius and Mbappéalthough the first shot was from Fede Valverde.
The Brazilian and the Frenchman left a lot of danger in one-on-one and, in the 20th minute, the new white star scored 0-1 with a tremendous shot from the edge of the area. It was a lost ball by Fran Beltrán, but Mbappé took advantage of it wonderfully. Celta, who had had Borja Iglesias as their beacon, lost sight of the rival goal and also gave up possession of the ball to a Madrid that, no hurry to look for the secondwas able to do it in another individual brushstroke by Vinícius.
The second half did not slow down and Celta found their reward this time in another good combination on the right wing, and Mingueza’s pass to Swedberg (1-1). Claudio Giráldez’s men grew even more to the fear of Ancelotti who made changes: Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos in search of control. Madrid took a step forward on the pitch and the Croatian soon found Vinícius.
Another flash of quality with which the champion once again took control, but Celta did not give up searching for the goal. Courtois saved a one-on-one with Bambá and Madrid did not find calm until the final whistle, with the Galician team at times locking in the visitors. Those of Giráldez, who remain in the middle of the table, They had it in injury time, very clear, but without Douvikas’ aim.
