After suffering crushing defeats in the Champions League against Arsenal and in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, Real Madrid now face a crucial test as they aim to keep their La Liga title hopes alive. On Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti’s men host Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu, knowing that every point is vital in their pursuit of league leaders Barcelona , who currently sit four points ahead.
Despite the bruising fallout from the Copa del Rey final, including disciplinary issues and mounting injuries, Real Madrid remain determined to stay in the title race. The stakes are high, with a pivotal clash against Barcelona looming on the horizon.
Injury Woes and Defensive Struggles
Real Madrid’s defensive woes have been exacerbated by injuries and suspensions. Defender Antonio Rudiger was handed a six-match ban for throwing an object at the referee during the Copa del Rey final and has since opted for knee surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Adding to the injury list, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba have also been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, joining long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao on the sidelines.
Madrid’s defense, already a weak point this season, is now in tatters. With Celta Vigo , a team fighting for European qualification, visiting the Bernabeu, Carlo Ancelotti will need his remaining squad to step up.
Ancelotti’s Resolve Amid Challenges
Despite the setbacks, coach Carlo Ancelotti , who is set to leave the club at the end of the season, remains optimistic about Real Madrid’s chances of defending their La Liga crown.
“We have time to prepare the games against Celta and Barcelona, we have to continue competing until the end,” Ancelotti insisted.
Real Madrid had a week to rest and recover after the Copa del Rey final defeat, and Ancelotti emphasized the importance of staying focused for the upcoming matches.
The Road Ahead: Celta Vigo and Barcelona
Sunday’s match against Celta Vigo is a must-win for Madrid as they look to close the gap on Barcelona before their direct showdown at the Olympic Stadium. Barcelona, meanwhile, face Real Valladolid on Saturday, giving them a chance to extend their lead before Madrid’s game.
The reverse fixture between Madrid and Celta earlier this season was controversial, with Celta striker Iago Aspas lamenting a missed penalty call.
“All of Spain saw it,” Aspas said this week, ahead of his team’s return to the Bernabeu. Despite Madrid’s struggles, Aspas acknowledged that no team can be counted out in football.
“In football, you can never rule out anything, sometimes it seems a team might lose but then they win,” Aspas added. “We’ll try to be the protagonists, have the ball, attack… and after that, it could go well or not for us.”
Key Player to Watch: Ayoze Perez
While all eyes will be on Madrid and Barcelona, Villarreal’s Ayoze Perez is making headlines in his own right. The Spanish forward is chasing the top scorer title in La Liga, sitting just one goal behind Athletic Bilbao’s Oihan Sancet , who is currently sidelined with an injury.
Perez could add to his tally when Villarreal host Osasuna on Saturday, boosting his chances of finishing as the top Spanish scorer this season.
Key Stats to Keep in Mind
- 7 : Outfield players who have featured in all 33 league matches so far this season.
- 69 : Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe leads the league with the most shots on target this season.
- 100 : Barcelona star Lamine Yamal reached a century of games for the club this week after making his debut two years ago.
La Liga Fixtures This Week
Friday (all times GMT):
- Rayo Vallecano v Getafe (19:00)
Saturday:
- Alaves v Atletico Madrid (12:00)
- Villarreal v Osasuna (14:15)
- Las Palmas v Valencia (16:30)
- Real Valladolid v Barcelona (19:00)
Sunday:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (12:00)
- Sevilla v Leganes (14:15)
- Espanyol v Real Betis (16:30)
- Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao (19:00)
Monday:
- Girona v Mallorca (19:00)
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