Real Madrid faces a reshaped midfield as Casemiro departs and Kroos battles flu
In a opening moment that set the tone for a challenging championship defense, Iago Aspas delivers a bold warning as Real Madrid starts their campaign with a hard-fought win in Almería. Aspas racks up nine goals in five matches, eight of them in the preseason, signaling a threat that Madrid must counter, especially with Casemiro having left for a lucrative offer in Manchester United.
Just days earlier, few would have predicted Real Madrid would embark on a season aiming for six championships without one of its most trusted anchors. An economically irresistible offer convinced Casemiro to explore new horizons, pursuing a dream of competing in the top tier of English football. The decision came eleven days before the transfer window closed, leaving coach Carlo Ancelotti to adjust on the fly.
Madrid now faces the task of strengthening the defensive balance in midfield. The club accelerates the growth of Aurélien Tchouaméni, a rising talent who showed rough edges in the match at Almería. He is stepping into a role that demands immediate maturity, especially as the season advances and needs become urgent.
Meanwhile, Toni Kroos’ illness creates another identity shift at Real Madrid’s base. Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos must compete for a starting role, while the possibility exists to delay Fede Valverde and recruit a new engine for the attack. Rodrygo’s delayed arrival due to muscle strain and Marco Asensio’s limited minutes force Carlo Ancelotti to consider options that could reshape the front line. If a right flank reshuffle occurs, Dani Carvajal could return to a pivotal position, with Eden Hazard possibly serving as a creative option. In defense, Militao and David Alaba stand ready to anchor the back line, as the team seeks an early season breakthrough with responsible, high-intensity defense.
As Real Madrid navigates a tough start, the leadership team confirms Thibaut Courtois in goal and relies on the familiar Vinícius Junior and Karim Benzema combination to drive the offense. They aim to add the first goals against a rival in a strong run of form, noting that Madrid has not lost in any of their last 16 meetings with Celta, a streak including fourteen wins and four consecutive wins at Balaídos.
Celta Vigo remains a work in progress. Coach Eduardo Coudet has spent another week refining the lineup, yet several pieces are still missing, particularly a creative force to replace Denis Suárez. Portugal’s Gonçalo Paciencia is currently supporting Iago Aspas as the forward line experiences continued experimentation. The Argentine coach contemplates changes to bolster the midfield with additional physical presence. Renato Tapia’s role as a defensive shield would benefit from a more prominent position in front of the back four, following a season shadowed by Fran Beltrán’s influence.
Celtic Vigo could see Óscar Rodríguez shift to the right, a move tested in the later stages against Espanyol, with Carles Pérez providing depth in the midfield trio alongside the main attackers. The other option involves reconfiguring the attacking trident, leveraging Tapia or Beltrán for midfield balance while Óscar Mingueza remains on the bench after a controversial late penalty incident. Hugo Mallo and Javi Galán hold vital roles on the flanks, and the central axis is anchored by the duo of Aidoo and Núñez, continuing to develop cohesion.
possible lineups
Celta Vigo: Marchesín; Hugo Mallo, Aidoo, Unai Núñez, Javi Galán; Tapia; Óscar Rodríguez, Beltrán, Cervi; Aspas and Paciencia.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Modric; Valverde, Vinícius, Benzema.
Referee: Gil Manzano from Extremadura.
Stadium: Balaídos.
Kick-off: 22:00
————————–
Standings: Celtic Vigo in 9th place with 1 point; Real Madrid in 4th with 3 points. The tactical question for Ancelotti is how to rebuild the midfield after Casemiro’s exit and Kroos’ illness.
Key focus: the solution Ancelotti seeks in midfield as Casemiro departs and Kroos steps back due to health concerns. Aspas has rarely taken his eye off Courtois, and Balaídos has earned a reputation for testing visiting teams and producing a tense atmosphere.
Summary note: Aspas remains a constant thread in Vigo, while Madrid looks to sustain momentum through disciplined defense and the creative spark of its forward line.
Sentences
Tapia says Casemiro is irreplaceable.
Ancelotti says it has always been difficult to play in Vigo, but confidence remains.
From Balaídos, the story continues to unfold with style, resilience, and a relentless desire to win.