Real Madrid puts pressure on FC Barcelona
Real Madrid defeated RC Celta (2-0) this Saturday in the 30th round of LaLiga Santander, a comfortable win for the Whites at the Santiago Bernabéu against a more inoffensive opponent than could have been expected, maintaining momentum and sensations ahead of a final stretch with Cup final and Champions League semifinals. Even the domestic championship could come into play. The 15-point lead that FC Barcelona enjoyed a few weeks ago could be reduced to 8 points if Atlético de Madrid wins at the Camp Nou this Sunday. The history of the season is yet to be written and Madrid seems to have the aces up its sleeve.
Good game for Real Madrid
Celta, with a good second half but in four consecutive matches without a win, did not trouble a strong Madrid without the best version of Benzema. Gabri Veiga and Aspas did not show up, but the white team was more solid at the back, fourth game in a row without conceding, and effective. Always dangerous Vinicius, the scorers were Asensio and Militao, at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second, moments that always hurt the rival.
Sin prisa pero sin pausa
Slowly but surely, Madrid gradually began to tilt the field towards the Galician goal, against a Celta team with little to play for. Carlos Carvalhal’s pre-match harangue about the special matches, the big stages, didn’t take hold in a team with no spark, neither in attack nor in defense, which gradually slackened off until conceding the 1-0. After a few minutes of inaccuracies, with no clear dominator, Ancelotti’s team pressed forward and exerted a good pressure after loss that put Vinicius on the run on more than one occasion. The Brazilian teamed up well with Ceballos, but Benzema did not seem to have inspiration on his side. Similar was happening on the other side, with Gabri Veiga launching attacks but with a shadow of Aspas.
Excellent goal by Militao
The young home-grown player had a long-range shot after three minutes, but the arrivals were for the Whites. Without being dangerous, mostly long-range shots, they generated the sensation that Madrid were close to scoring. Carvalhal warned from the flank of that step back, with Kevin already cautioned despite his help in defense to Vinicius. Benzema missed a free-kick on the edge of the area, but after Camavinga recovered the ball, Ceballos gave ‘Vini’ a run and the Brazilian found Asensio (1-0). The lead just before the break was doubled at the restart. Militao flew in from a corner kick and destroyed the Vigo team. Carvalhal’s team wanted to continue with their locker room plan, with the introduction of Cervi, but it took them a while to show signs of life. Paciencia, the classic Celeste revulsive, did not work and also took a hard hit with Tchouameni as not to be able to finish all week. Galán’s crosses gave the visitors some chances, but it was not until the end that Aspas had his chance.
The white team takes morale before facing Manchester City
Courtois closed the door, Camavinga multiplied and the Bernabéu gave a standing ovation to Modric and Ceballos as a message to the board asking for their renewal. Madrid did their homework, as required by the league script, waiting for Barça, who have not been at their best since they lost to Los Blancos in the Copa, not to finish the job. Moreover, all morale and confidence is low when looking at Manchester City.
