Real Madrid: A Disastrous Evening Against Celta Vigo

In a shocking turn of events, Real Madrid faced a disappointing defeat at home against Celta Vigo, losing 0-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu. After a promising victory in Bilbao, the Merengues stumbled dramatically in front of their fans, showcasing defensive frailties and an alarming lack of offensive threat.

The match began with an unsettling start for Real Madrid as early as the 7th minute when Fran García intervened to thwart Celta’s first attempt. The Galicians, displaying confidence and aggression, kept pressing forward, putting Thibaut Courtois under pressure. The initial moments were characterized by defensive lapses, particularly from Raúl Asensio, who struggled to contain Celta’s attacks. By the 18th minute, Madrid began to find their footing in the offensive third but failed to create genuine scoring opportunities. The situation worsened when Éder Militão sustained a muscle injury, forcing him off the pitch and leaving a significant gap in the central defense. With Antonio Rüdiger stepping in, Madrid regained some control over possession (62% in the first half) but still could not penetrate Celta’s resolute backline.

Tactical Struggles and Missed Opportunities

The first clear shot on target came only in the 34th minute from Arda Güler, whose effort was comfortably saved by Radu. Despite Vinícius Júnior‘s attempts to spark a reaction, Real Madrid went into halftime without finding the back of the net. The second half began with renewed energy from the home side, but disaster struck in the 54th minute when Williot Swedberg scored for Celta with a brilliant technical finish that silenced the Bernabéu crowd.

Shortly after, Rodrygo Goes replaced Raúl Asensio as tensions escalated on the pitch. The match saw a flurry of yellow cards issued to Jude Bellingham and Fran García. In a disastrous sequence, García received a second yellow just minutes later, leading to his dismissal and leaving Madrid down to ten men. The frustration was palpable as even coach Xabi Alonso found himself reprimanded for his protests.

Final Whistle and Implications Ahead

In a crucial moment for Madrid, Kylian Mbappé missed a golden opportunity to equalize when he failed to convert a lobbed effort inside the box around the 74th minute. This proved to be one of the last serious threats from Los Blancos as they struggled to regain momentum. Gonzalo García’s late header grazed the post in the 87th minute, further diminishing their hopes of salvaging a point. In a chaotic finish that saw both Carreras and Endrick sent off, Celta capitalized on Madrid’s disarray by scoring again, sealing their victory.

This defeat leaves Real Madrid reeling ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday. With mounting injuries and disciplinary issues, questions arise about their ability to recover quickly and perform at their best on such a significant stage.