Madrid took the three points from Balaídos this night and tied Barcelona in the table with tomorrow’s game against Sevilla remaining. After the national team break it is never easy and the whites resolved the match with a lot of suffering and more craftsmanship than good play against an opponent who did not make it easy for them in the rain. Courtois, who reappeared, was once again decisive. With one week left until the classic, Madrid is far from offering the image of a solid team. Rather, it is held on with pins.
It was the first game without Carvajal and Ancelotti had his best eleven, with four midfielders and only Vinícius and Mbappé up front. If the focus was on whether the French star could be affected by everything that is happening (it is being investigated in Sweden whether it is related to a case of alleged rape) Mbappé complied and was the MVP.
The first part
A game with little control
In a match with little control, nervous and from area to area, the quality of the punch decided. Celta did not have Iago Aspas up front due to suspension and in the seventh minute their Swedish striker, Swedberg, left everyone due to speed starting from his field, he stood in front of Courtois and the Belgian took him one-on-one with his foot.
After a good shot by Valverde, Madrid’s response would come in the 19th after a poor ball delivery by Fran Beltrán. Camavinga cut off the play and his pass to Mbappé was solved like the greats, with a shot into Guaita’s corner, the Frenchman’s sixth goal in the League and his eighth for white.
Madrid goes ahead
Great goal from Mbappé
Celta accused the blow. Although Borja Iglesias scored clearly offside and the goal did not rise to the scoreboard, Madrid took the lead in the last quarter of an hour of the first half. He threatened with the second goal, which did not come because Vinícius was not good in the shot. He showed that he is not a great header because he did not direct a header well after a precise pass from Valverde. Then, in individual action, he left everyone behind but his finishing was high when he had Bellingham at his side. The Englishman was taken away by demons and protested angrily.
The second half began with a great start from Bellingham who closed his shot poorly. Madrid paid dearly because in the 50th minute Celta tied with a cross from Mingueza and a shot from Swedberg, unmarked on the penalty spot, which caught Courtois on the wrong foot.
The tie
Swedberg finished without anyone bothering him
The 1-1 score encouraged Madrid, who went ahead with everything. Manquillo avoided a shot by Mbappé with his body and Ancelotti refreshed the team with Modric and Rodrygo for Valverde and Camvinga.
Modric’s departure could not have gone better for his team. At minute 65, he made a great pass to Vinícus, who skillfully defined against Guatia.
Madrid’s reaction
A genius from Modric
The game was by no means resolved. Bamba beat Rüdiger and Courtois once again became a giant to save the goal with his leg again. Ceballos came on for Mbappé to try for Madrid to hold on to the ball more in the center of the field.
Celta made all possible changes and the game ended in the Madrid area, which defended itself with everyone far behind, suffering with every minute discounted. Celta had plenty of desire but lacked some clarity and Douvikas still had the tie with an easy shot in added time.
With its victory, Madrid equals the 42 unbeaten games in the League, the record held by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona
#White #victory #wire
