Actual Madrid scraped via to a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday evening in Galicia as they have been pressured to work exhausting for the three factors. Starring a special and intriguing system, Kylian Mbappé broke the impasse with a nice strike from distance within the first half, however Williot Swedburg struck an equaliser after defensive lapses let him in early within the second half. Finally, Vinícius Júnior scored a second for Actual Madrid, tapping in after beating Vicente Guaita following a nice help from substitute Luka Modrić.
Three solutions
1. What form would Actual Madrid line-up with?
This week started with an expectation that Actual Madrid might persist with a 4-3-3 form with Rodrygo Goes on the suitable flank, but it surely transitioned right into a midfield diamond which was used, not for the primary time this season. Nevertheless, this was in contrast to different usages in that Aurelién Tchouameni was enjoying so deep that he virtually acted like a 3rd central defender. It noticed a brand new system by which Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham successfully appeared to make up for the shortage of urgent from the frontline duo of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. These three labored tirelessly behind them to press the Celta Vigo defence to some extent, however the system as soon as once more left gaps which opened up all around the subject, significantly on Actual Madrid’s proper flank the place Antonio Rüdiger and Aurelién Tchouameni each appeared to shirk the duty of offering some cowl to assist out their team-mate Lucas Vázquez.
2. How match would the harm doubts be?
After lacking worldwide obligation as a consequence of their very own health struggles, there was no signal of any harm to any of Éder Militão, Vinícius Júnior or Kylian Mbappé. The latter was the one one to not play the complete 90 minutes, coming off with eight minutes left on the clock. There was additionally a return for Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, having final been seen towards Atlético Madrid and having overcome a muscle harm in his leg. Carlo Ancelotti nonetheless has harm worries in his squad, however the information that there aren’t any short-term considerations with these three key gamers is a giant bonus for Los Blancos.
3. How would Lucas Vázquez settle in?
Donning the captain’s armband initially of the sport, this was solely Lucas Vázquez’s fourth begin of the season as he got here in to exchange Dani Carvajal for the primary time following the quantity two’s latest harm and surgical procedure which has already ended his 2024/25 marketing campaign. Vázquez is now just about the one possibility accessible to Carlo Ancelotti on the suitable of defence, however his efficiency in Galicia left most of the query marks from his critics as as to whether he’s a powerful sufficient possibility for Actual Madrid to compete. Offensively, he good, concerned in play and making a match-high three possibilities. It was defensively the place he was beneath the usual, being answerable for the large quantity of area afforded to Williot Svedberg, with Vázquez as a substitute staying large to mark Hugo Álvarez and leaving an enormous hole within the center. It was the type of hesitation and indecisiveness which comes from a non-natural full-back with restricted minutes in latest months.
Three questions
1. Is that this a chance for Fran García?
Arguably the most important shock from Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday evening was the choice to start out Fran García forward of Ferland Mendy at left-back. The complete-back operated in a extra offensive position than now we have seen from him at occasions, seemingly enjoying into his strengths and benefitting from him having spent two weeks on the coaching floor. He was tidy, if not spectacular, finishing 95% of his passes, profitable three duels from 4 makes an attempt, and recovering possession six occasions. He definitely appeared extra snug within the place than Mendy did when he got here on with 20 minutes to go. Ancelotti has most well-liked Mendy for the large event over the previous season, and the actual check of religion might come towards Dortmund.
2. Did we see the primary actual signal of friction from “BMV”?
In one of many flash factors of the primary half, Jude Bellingham threw his arms up within the air and kicked the turf in entrance of him in frustration at Vinícius Junior’s determination to shoot, fairly than cross, within the type of act that the Catalan media have been desperately in search of. Sadly for them, it got here on an evening when Vini scored the profitable aim and Mbappé scored the opener with a rocket from exterior the field. Mbappé’s aim from 0.04 xG was precisely what followers had been hoping for when he signed, whereas Vinícius led the stats in dribbles (5 accomplished) and duels received (10). Nonetheless, there’s a level to this debate. Bellingham is doing vital leg work to permit the entrance two to do their factor, and meaning loads of sacrifice from the England worldwide. This is probably not the one time his persistence is examined.
3. Ought to Luka Modrić be beginning often?
39 years of age and changing into Actual Madrid’s oldest ever participant as he got here off the bench, Luka Modrić turned out to be the hero with a defence-splitting move which reduce Celta Vigo in two and allowed Vinícius in to spherical Vicente Guaita and rating what would turn into the profitable aim. His involvement off the bench appeared inevitable provided that Fede Valverde didn’t return to Spain from South America till late this week as a consequence of worldwide obligation, however the Croatian made probably the most of his 27 minutes on the sector, recording a 91% move accuracy, profitable two of his three duels and finishing his solely tried dribble. Whereas Valverde, Bellingham and Camavinga clearly provide extra when it comes to stamina and vitality, none can match Modrić’s capability to discover a defence-splitting move. That continues to be an ace up Carlo Ancelotti’s sleeve and present Modrić’s worth to this squad.