Real Madrid improves and strengthens its leadership
The Madrid team, more intense and without its best version, defeated a discreet Celta without excessive problems (4-0)
MADRID, 10 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid maintained its advantage in the leadership of LaLiga EA Sports 2023-2024 with respect to Girona and FC Barcelona after replicating the victories of both rivals this Sunday by beating a 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu without excessive problems this Sunday. discreet RC Celta that is still in trouble with permanence.
The Madrid team came from some lackluster games and this time they improved, not to reach their best version, but with more intensity and energy, enough to be superior to Rafa Benítez’s team, which did not worry them too much and which also lacked some luck, with two own goals. The 14-time European champion scored early through Vinícius Jr, but did not score until the 80th minute to maintain his seven and eight points over his pursuers.
Carlo Ancelotti refreshed his eleven somewhat after the poor image against RB Leipzig with the entries of Lucas Vázquez, Luka Modric, Brahim Díaz and Rodrygo Goes, which gave his team one more point of intensity and mobility against a Celta that opted for three center backs (Manquillo-Starfelt-Núñez) and that they gave up the initiative too soon.
The leader was less contemplative than last Wednesday and played with a little more pace, especially on the right side, which was where he was most dangerous. There, an incisive Lucas Vázquez, an energetic Valverde and Rodrygo came together, with the Croatian ’10’ handling the ball well, and the light blue defense suffered from the attacks on that side, although without excessive damage in the form of clear chances.
Real Madrid grew as the minutes passed and Rafa Benítez’s men devoted almost everything to transitions to surprise Lunin, but their plan fell apart too soon. In the 21st minute, Rüdiger headed only one corner kick and despite Guaita stopping this shot and another from close range by Vinícius, the Brazilian’s third ended in 1-0 and his fourth goal in the last three games.
The goal hurt the visitors, who have since been subdued by the Madrid team, who had another good chance through Rodrygo, with a good foot from Guaita, also safe from a shot from Camavinga’s front line. However, the final stretch of the first half ended in the local area and some threats from the Vigo team, which extended that small ambition after the break with a step forward in search of an equalizer.
Celta took the risk of leaving more space for the transitions of their rival, Rodrygo, Brahim and Vinícius, who was once again excessively nervous after a foul due to Mingueza’s grab and which also ended with another yellow for the Brazilian for once again showing his anger with the defender with another unnecessary push.
In that first quarter of an hour, Brahim and Valverde had the best options to increase, but their respective shots from inside and outside the area did not cause too much concern. It was more dangerous in another against Rodrygo, but, in a very good position, it was too focused and ‘easy’ for Guaita, also solid for another attempt by Vinícius.
Real Madrid did not suffer too much, but they did not find the goal that would allow them to have peace of mind for the final stretch and Ancelotti sought to remedy this with the entry of Joselu for Rodrygo. But it was another header from a ‘lonely’ Rüdiger that ended up giving it, although with the fortune that the ball bounced off the crossbar hit Guaita to end the options with just over ten minutes remaining for a Celta that still had more misfortune to concede the third, also an own goal (Carlos Domínguez), and the fourth, the work of Arda Guler who took quality advantage of the few five minutes that Ancelotti gave him.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 4 – RC CELTA, 0 (1-0, at halftime).
REAL MADRID: Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga (Ceballos, min.89), Modric (Kroos, min.83), Brahim (Tchouaméni, min.83), Rodrygo (Joselu, min.74) and Vinícius (Guler, min.89).
RC CELTA: Guaita; Mingueza (Sotelo, min.77), Manquillo, Núñez, Starfelt, Manu Sánchez (Cervi, min.60); De la Torre, Beltrán (Carlos Domínguez, min.77), Bamba (Allende, min.60); Larssen (Douvikas, min.83) and Aspas.
1-0, minute 21. Vinícius Jr.
2-0, minute 80. Guaita, own goal.
3-0, minute 88. Carlos Domínguez, own goal.
4-0, minuto 94. Arda Guler.
–REFEREE: Melero Lopez (C.Andaluz). He admonished Camavinga (min.45 1), Vinícius Jr (min.55), for Real Madrid, and De la Torre (min.25), Mingueza (min.55) and Manquillo (min.82), for RC Celtic.
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. 73,644 spectators.
