Real Madrid Faces Celta Vigo: Five Key Absences Ahead of Liga Clash

Real Madrid returns to the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend, gearing up to host Celta Vigo in a crucial 15th round of La Liga. The match is set for Sunday, December 7, at 21:00 CET, following a strong 3-0 victory against Athletic Club. With only one point separating them from FC Barcelona at the top of the table, Xabi Alonso‘s squad aims to maintain momentum before their upcoming Champions League showdown against Manchester City next Wednesday.

However, the Madrid side will be without several key players for this encounter. Trent Alexander-Arnold is sidelined with a quadriceps injury and is expected to miss the next two months. Dani Carvajal continues his recovery from injury, while David Alaba and Dean Huijsen are also unavailable. Additionally, Ferland Mendy has suffered another muscle injury, ruling him out for at least a month. In more positive news, Joan Martinez has resumed training with the first team.

Team Adjustments and Tactical Considerations

Eduardo Camavinga has made a swift recovery from an ankle injury sustained in the previous match and will be available for selection against Celta. This situation forces coach Xabi Alonso to rethink his lineup, likely shifting Federico Valverde to right-back to compensate for the missing defenders. Franco Mastantuono, who appears to have overcome his pubalgia issues, may also feature in the starting eleven against the Galicians.

Squad Overview and Future Implications

The squad named for this clash includes goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin, alongside defenders Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and Fran García. Midfield options consist of Jude Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, and Arda Güler. Up front, Vinícius Júnior leads the attack alongside Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappé. With such a mix of talent on display, fans are eager to see if Madrid can capitalize on their home advantage.

The absence of key players could impact Madrid’s defensive solidity as they prepare for a pivotal week ahead. Will they be able to secure all three points against Celta Vigo? Only time will tell as they look to keep pace with their rivals in La Liga.