Real Madrid – Celta de Vigo: Hey Jude (1-0)

A truly frustrating game for the visitors at the Balaídos, as Celta proved a doughty opponent, but they still eventually managed to get the job done with a Bellingham header in the clutch. A game that raised more questions than answers for the Madrid outfit.
Tactical analysis and match report by Huu Trung.

We decided to make this article free to read. If you want to support our work, consider taking a subscription.

Real Madrid were looking to extend their winning opening of the season after two consecutive victories against Athletic Club and Almeria, which saw them top the table coming into the second game week. Celta’s ground - Balaídos - is actually the stadium that saw Real register the most victories in this century, with fourteen times since the year 2000, so there was no reason for them to feel anything other than absolute confidence. As a matter of fact, Carlo Ancelotti was indeed the last Real Madrid manager to be beaten at Vigo, in a game in 2014, just two weeks before winning ‘la Décima.

On the other side, Celta didn’t quite get an easy kick-off to the season. They started with a 2-0 defeat at home to Osasuna on and came so close to suffering a second straight loss against Real Sociedad last weekend, had it not been for Mingueza’s late equalizer. New Celta manager Rafa Benítez would be facing his former club, against the manager whom he himself replaced in 2015 at Real Madrid, before being sacked after just half a season.

Real Madrid once again lined up in the 4 . . .