For all Real Madrid fans, it is good to see the team perform beyond expectations and even better to see supposedly thought unwanted players leading well.
The 3-1 win, Modric’s red card, Kroos’ thunderbolt of a strike and the team’s excellent ball work prior to their third goal may have stolen the headlines but another major highlight is the performance of Gareth Bale, a player who was thought to be an “ex” Real Madrid player and an enemy to Zidane, handed a start, providing an assist and an impressing greatly in the less than 75 minutes he played on the pitch despite not having enough preseason games in his belt.
Real Madrid rolled out a whooping 305 million Euros on players in the transfer window but Coach Zinedine Zidane’s line up included not even one of those new signings and the team looked pretty much like the old squad the French coach conquered Europe with few years ago except for three changes.
Thubiat Courtois was preferred in between the sticks over Keylor Navas. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane partnered each other in central defence. Alvaro Odriozola replaced the injured Dani Carvajal at right back and Marcelo maintained his favourite left back position under Zidane.
The midfield consisted of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro while Gareth Bale and Vinicius Junior both flanked Karim Benzema in attack.
Not too long after the game started, Real Madrid pressured the Celta team up until a short counter attack started by Marcelo saw Bale on the end of the Brazilian’s pass. The Welsh winger did his tricks on the ball to discomfort his marker and stroke the ball into the penalty area and past the out-rushed goal keeper and Benzema was on hand to poke home the ball and open the scoring.
For a while Real Madrid lost their footing and allowed Celta Vigo back into the game. They created solid chances and would have levelled the socre if not for luck which was against them and that luck appeared to be with the Bernabeu men as Kroos unleashed a strike from 40 yards which ricocheted off the top of the bar and into the net to take Real Madrid two goals up.
That second goal brought life back into the Madrid team as Bale and Vinicius were replaced by Isco and Lucas Vasquez respectively. Both substitutes made sure Real Madrid remained in control of the game despite going a man down after Luka Modric was red carded for a tackle worthy of a red card in the Referees consititution. Isco’s ball retention ability was evident and he combined well with Marcelo on the left wing and such wonderful combinations led to a great team play which started with Casemiro the dispossessor and involved Marcelo, Isco and Benzema before Lucas Vasquez finished superbly making it 3-0.
Typical Real Madrid with this same set of players available is always going to concede a goal. Some people call it, generous Real Madrid. In the first minute of injury time, Real Madrid afforded Celta much space and Lozano was able to get past Sergio Ramos and slot a right footed strike into the net from a tight angle, poor goal keeping from there if you ask me.
Conclusion
We all know Eden Hazard, the club’s main galactico signing this summer would have started the match but couldn’t due to a thigh injury. Hazard’s return would in no doubt, improve the team’s performances but it will also reduce the playing time for players like Vinicius who looked but a shadow of himself yesterday despite trying hard, probably because he is trying to impress his coach. It is truly great to see Real Madrid performing well again and putting smiles on the faces of fans. We only hope winning continues.
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