Real Madrid faced the calendar with calm resolve, though Carlo Ancelotti favored moderation in rotation. The team, nicknamed the white machines, pressed forward with the same relentless tempo that has characterized their season. Against Celtic, a European hangover was tempered by the performances of players like Asensio, who emerged as a pivotal figure across three fronts where squad depth mattered. At the venue of La Castellana, the Spaniard’s half came to a close with a goal and a deft cross that helped secure a 2-0 draw, tightening La Liga’s margins with eight points separating them from Barcelona and sustaining Madrid’s peak pace on the European stage.
Madrid’s recent run of success has fans arriving at the Santiago Bernabéu with confidence, their thoughts turning to the moments that turn a whole season into memory. Ticket prices feel like a premium concert, yet Real Madrid remains involved in a demanding three-competition schedule that asks for patience and precision from the squad.
Five innovations from Ancelotti
Ancelotti unleashed five changes that echoed the win in London: Nacho operating from the flank, Rudiger placed in the heart of defense, Tchouaméni and Ceballos occupying midfield duties, and Asensio delivering a hat-trick of contributions in attack. The visitors, Celta Vigo, countered with Mingueza, Hugo Mallo, and Aidoo, whose defensive lapses were punished as Carvalhal adjusted his approach. Celta’s Kevin Vázquez faced Ceballos, who earned a yellow card and repeatedly tested Vinícius, whose pace and rhythm kept Madrid’s attack dynamic.
Madrid, like Europe’s grandees, treats every kickoff as a time to wake up. In La Liga, their voice is loud in the stands, where the away sector amplifies the atmosphere. The white side controlled possession and took control of the match, yet Vigo’s defense held firm until Gabri Veiga found the net, hinting at a Premier League future as he looks toward opportunities with top clubs in England.
Asensio at the peak of his form
A chorus of names—Kevin, Tapia—echoed as the division hummed with a sense of reform among the blue defenders who chased the ball relentlessly. Benzema attempted an audacious free-kick crown, sometimes called a panenka, while Ceballos pushed the attack from the base line. Camavinga demonstrated strength and range, underscoring Real Madrid’s willingness to press high and play through pressure.
Near halftime, the Frenchman’s recovery set the stage for a sequence that ended with Vinícius feeding a cutting edge pass to Asensio, whose left-foot finish found the back of the net after a touch from Javi Galán. Madrid moved with a poised elegance, turning the run of play to their advantage and shaping the tempo of the match.
Militao opens distances
Asensio’s suspension of doubt has paid off. The winger-turned-striker seems to have embraced a broader role, becoming one of Real Madrid’s most reliable performers across all competitions. In 2023, the Spaniard stood among the top scorers in Europe, while Militao emerged as a constant threat in set-piece situations and defense.
Militao’s header extended the lead, a moment that exemplified Madrid’s ability to add depth at key moments. The defender’s offensive push grew more pronounced as the match progressed, with Celta’s attempts to respond stalling against Madrid’s organized shape. Iago Aspas, the captain for the visitors, found his chances blocked by a combination of luck and Thibaut Courtois’s sharp reflexes, which kept the scoreline intact.
Iván Villar’s impressive denial of Benzema’s header illustrated Celta’s resilience, but Vinícius continued to trouble the patrons with well-timed dribbles and acceleration. The narrative persisted: Real Madrid can be disrupted by quality wingers and precise finishing, but a combination of speed and discipline often helps the hosts control the match.
Celta held their lines bravely, and Aspas’s late moments tested Madrid’s defense. Yet the Bernabéu faithful sang in praise of Ancelotti, Ceballos, and Modrić, even as the schedule pressed on and the pitch gave reason to complain. The team’s cohesion, however, stood out as a defining feature of the night.
(Source: DAZN Spain) The match offered a snapshot of Madrid’s season: disciplined defense, rapid transitions, and a forward line capable of weaving together through movement and speed. The night capped a stretch where tactical flexibility and individual brilliance merged to keep Madrid among Europe’s most consistent contenders.