Real Madrid broke a two-game losing streak in La Liga with a dramatic late winner from Fede Valverde, clinching a hard-earned 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo at Balaídos. Aurélien Tchouameni put them ahead early, but Borja Iglesias equalized for the home side in the first half.
1. Who will defend?
With Álvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen suspended, David Alaba nursing a muscle injury, and Eduardo Camavinga sidelined by dental issues, the defensive options were scarce. Éder Militão remains a long-term absentee, while Raúl Asencio’s neck issue created further uncertainty. Fran García has been sidelined since Álvaro Arbeloa took over, with Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy also not regular starters. Diego Aguado and Lamini Fati were on the bench but remained unused, while Asencio was risked and fit. Mendy, making only his second start of the season and first since November, showcased a solid performance.
2. Can Real Madrid remain in the title chase?
Despite their struggles this season, Barcelona’s difficulties briefly saw Real Madrid top La Liga two weeks ago. However, after setbacks against Osasuna and Getafe, the momentum was lost. Only one of the last five managers of Real Madrid has won on their first league visit to El Sadar—Zinedine Zidane in 2017—and Arbeloa joined the list of those who faltered there. The win against Getafe, a fixture unbeaten at home since 2008, keeps Madrid just four points behind with 11 matches left, a challenging but attainable goal, albeit with cautious optimism due to their inconsistent performances.
3. What does the attacking lineup look like?
With Kylian Mbappé absent, there was a shift in the formation. Arda Güler took the offensive midfield position, while Brahim Díaz stepped up as a forward similarly to Vinícius Júnior, but with more scope for lateral movement. Facing Manchester City, this tactical shift aimed to accommodate the absence of Mbappé. However, it fell flat; Brahim’s contribution was minimal, recording only two touches in the opponent’s box, while Güler appeared lost in the false nine role with no shots taken.
4. Will Álvaro Arbeloa stay for next season?
While the victory was crucial for Real Madrid following two losses, it didn’t significantly enhance Álvaro Arbeloa’s long-term prospects as head coach. His remarks about players wanting to be present hinted at early tensions with the squad. Arbeloa appears to be a temporary fix rather than a replacement capable of managing a group of high-profile players. Though his steady efforts are appreciated, they resemble those of Santiago Solari, focusing on stabilizing the team without setting a long-term vision.
5. Is Thiago Pitarch a viable first-team candidate?
Eighteen-year-old Thiago Pitarch likely did not foresee himself starting twice for Real Madrid after never having made a start before. He demonstrated composure under pressure, showing he is more than just an inexperienced young player. Pitarch’s pressing highlighted a work ethic missing in others this season. However, due to his lack of experience, he could struggle against top-tier teams like Manchester City on Tuesday. Issues with fitness management, leading to numerous injuries, have left the squad thin, with Dani Ceballos as the only effective backup in a currently healthy squad.
6. Will Fran García return to the lineup?
Since the January transfer window closed without his desired move to Bournemouth, Fran García has seen just one minute of play in a win against Benfica. His status as third-choice left-back was further established with Ferland Mendy starting in his place during Carreras’s suspension. Arbeloa praised Mendy’s contribution to the team dynamics. García’s opportunities may dwindle further, especially considering his earlier promising start to the season, as he could be relegated to play only in less significant fixtures as the season winds down.
