After an extensive month on the road, Real Madrid finally returns to the Santiago Bernabeu this Sunday night to take on Celta Vigo in La Liga.
The away stretch was forgettable for Los Blancos, starting with a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, followed by three consecutive draws in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano (0-0), Elche (2-2), and Girona (1-1).
However, their last match before returning home ended on a high note with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club.
Tomorrow, the team in white will aim to correct their recent slump in the league standings, needing all three points to have any hope of catching up to Barcelona.
Madrid Universal presents three key talking points ahead of the match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo.
Emerging Defensive Issues
While Real Madrid secured three points against Athletic Club in midweek, the match also highlighted complications that coach Xabi Alonso will regret as they enter a pivotal phase of the season.
A significant setback was the injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had just begun to establish himself as an important asset under Xabi Alonso.
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This injury will sideline him for a minimum of two months, with Dani Carvajal also not expected back until late this month or early January.
Consequently, Alonso will likely have to resort to an unconventional solution, with Federico Valverde set to step in as Real Madrid’s right-back against Celta.
With important matches approaching in the coming weeks, the manager will need Valverde to perform well in this new role, much like he did earlier in the season.
Transforming Vinicius
Things are looking up for Vinicius Jr. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso has seemingly identified Vinicius Jr.’s optimal position on the pitch and has openly discussed the significance of giving the Brazilian star a role he thrives in. Over the last three matches, the 25-year-old has shown remarkable improvement.
Vinicius recorded two assists against Olympiacos and started to showcase the freedom that has defined his play throughout his career.
In the match against Girona, he aggressively attacked the goal, forming a dynamic partnership with Kylian Mbappe, even though the match ended in a draw. Notably, he won the penalty that led to the only goal that night.
Most recently, he excelled against Athletic Club at San Mames, continuing his impressive form, with only a goal still missing from his performance.
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After a challenging start to the season, the winger is finally enjoying his football again, which is a relief for Real Madrid’s management. The aim now is to refine him into the lethal goal-scoring threat he once was.
Now granted more freedom to play as a second attacker alongside Mbappe, Vinicius is poised to make more goal-scoring opportunities, and all eyes will be on him as he endeavors to complete his transformation this season.
Preparing for the Midweek Encounter
While the match against Celta Vigo holds significant importance for Real Madrid’s league standing and their pursuit of Barcelona, it is evident that Xabi Alonso and his team are also focused on the upcoming midweek game.
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The men in white are set to host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League next week, a clash that has become a familiar occurrence in Real Madrid’s season.
Given their recent struggle for form, this match offers an opportune moment for Los Blancos to reassert themselves as a formidable force, but they will certainly face a tough challenge from the Sky Blues.
In light of this upcoming encounter, Alonso may consider rotating his squad slightly in tomorrow’s match—especially considering Real Madrid’s favorable history against the Galicians.
While significant changes at the back are unlikely, players like Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz may receive more playing time, with Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni being candidates for some much-needed rest.
In this phase of the season, squad rotation will be crucial.