Match Preview: Real Madrid - Celta

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu

Capacity: 85.454

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Refree: Clos Gomez

Last game played: Real Madrid 1 - Celta 2

This is the kind of games where teams like Celta arrive to Santiago Bernabeu saying they have a lot to gain and nothing to lose, but the circumstances had changed that situation, as Real Madrid is really having trouble to configure the defence line due to injuries substaines by Coentrao, Marcelo and Arbeloa. Khedira seems to be rulled out of the game as well, so that would make 4 the count of players who won't be able to participate in the match, all of them with a clear defensive vocation.

this unveils a new scenario for Celta, who could not find a better timing to face Real Madrid. But Celta's coach made it pretty clear yesterday at the press conference, and that is the fact that, despite all the absences, Real Madrid is still Real Madrid, and we have to take into consideration that  from the midfield to the attack is, with Barcelona, the best team in the world, and any of the attacking players can make your life miserable on any given night.

But there is a difference between this game and the one against Sevilla, and that is the fact that Celta is not in urgent need for the points, so there is no need to get nervous during the game, and Celta will be able to play his usual style, and that is the only way to be able to obtain some kind of reward out of this match. A victory or a draw, apart from a shocker, would mean Celta's first points as a visitor this season, and a boost to the team's morale before facing arch-rivals Deportivo de la Coruña.

On Celta's side, the only doubt, as usual, is what is going to be the formation. Some media in Vigo are speculating with a 4-3-2-1, with Bustos added to the midfield, relegating Park to the bench. This option seems rulled out as Herrera will not have any midfielder on the bench, and he stated on the press conference yesterday that he was not taking Academy player, and Gabon's intyernational, Madinda to this game. That leaves us with a 4-4-2 formation with Park fighting with Bermejo and De Lucas for a place to start the game with Iago Aspas. If Park was fully fit I would have no doubts that he will be the starter, but as he has been going through some abductor problems, his presence on the starting line-up is still a mystery.

Another fact to take into consideration to evaluate Celta's chances is that until yesterday, Mourinho could not count with his full squad to train. For one week and a half he had just 4 players to train with, leaving him with no time to prepare the match properly, more if you take into consideration that Madriod will be facing 4 important absences in this game. Apart from all this, Real Madrid and their players have been talking about everything but Celta, and even Mourinho stated yesterday that the fact that Celta has been focused on preparing their game against Real Madrid for this past 2 weeks is an advantage for the side from Vigo.

KEY TO THE GAME

Celta will need to play nearly a perfect match to be able to bring some benefits from Madrid. All the lines must be focused on working together, as you can not prevent Real Madrid avalanche without a team effort. Wingers will play a key role both defensive and attacking wise. Side defenders will play a key role on the task to take the ball up front. 

If Celta's defense has been given opportunities to their rivals, this can not happen today, as Real Madrid will not forgive any easy chances you might give them.

Sergio once again, and for second game in a row, will be the starting goalkeeper after a gastroenteritis ruled out starter Javi Varas, who had just recovered from a finger injury.

CELTA'S FORMATION

  

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Cristiano Ronaldo: no need to intruce Cristiano Ronaldo, as he is one of the top players of the world. He is not having the best season of his career, and it's been going through some trouble in his Club and in Portugal, where he has been heavily criticized after failing to lead Portugal against Russia and Ireland, where Portugal could only manage to obtain 1 out of 6 points.

MKD: the danish international will probably have to face Raul Albiol in his side, and that could favour Michael. Dehli is a player that likes to study his rivals and exploit their weaknesses and in that case, MKD has a very good chance against Albiol, who is used to play as a Central Defender.