Celta Vigo – Real Madrid : Preview & Prediction
One hundred years of history celebrated this Wednesday the RC Celta de Vigo, which has agreed with Napoli the transfer of Gabri Veiga (21 years old) for 36 million euros. The sale of the talented midfielder from Porriño, who played a direct part in 15 of the 43 Celeste goals in LaLiga (LL) 2022-23, is key for the Vigo club to reinforce its squad with several signings in the final stretch of the summer market. Under Rafa Benítez, Celta aims to make the necessary leap in quality to fight for European places.
Without the contribution of Veiga, who was called up but came on as a substitute, the club reacted after losing to Osasuna at Balaídos with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad. “The draw is fair,” said Benítez, who valued his team’s reaction after a first half dominated by Real. For the veteran coach from Madrid, the result achieved at the Reale Arena is “a good starting point”. At the helm of a squad that ended the 2022-23 campaign with a 2-1 home win over champions Barcelona, Benitez will be looking to put together the best possible game plan to make Real Madrid, whom he managed without much fortune for seven months between 2015 and 2016, bite the dust.
Benítez and Carlo Ancelotti, rivals as coaches in two Champions League finals at the helm of Liverpool and AC Milan that ended with a title for each (2005 and 2007), face each other for the first time in 13 years. In what could be Real Madrid’s last season under Ancelotti, the team will once again play its third away game of the league campaign, awaiting its debut at the Bernabéu (September 2 vs. Getafe), whose refurbishment work is progressing at full speed. Ancelotti’s side leads the championship after two matchdays thanks to two-goal victories over Athletic Club (2-0) and UD Almeria (3-1).
Ancelotti, who had expressed some concern about his team’s poor defensive performance in the preseason (3-0 and 3-1 defeats to Barcelona and Juventus, respectively), will have been grateful for the solidity shown by his players in these two matchdays. Los Blancos look well prepared to repeat the emphatic win they achieved last term in Balaídos (CEL 1-4 RM), the 16th in their last 18 league meetings with Celta.
Players to watch: Benítez is trying to find the balance and the best position for Iago Aspas, who at 36 years of age is still one of the most decisive players in the Spanish championship. Celta’s only goal against Real Madrid in LL 2022-23 was scored by the great striker from Moaña. Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s dazzling new star and pichichi after the second matchday with three goals, has stated that he is “ten times better player than last season”.
Key stat: Of Madrid’s 16 aforementioned victories over Celta, 14 were by at least two goals.
Celta Vigo – Real Madrid : Betting Tips
Real Madrid – Win Odds: 1.65
