Real Lose More Points In The Title Race

Real Madrid drew 2-2 against Celta Vigo. (Picture Courtesy: skysports.com)

Real Madrid lose ground yet again in the title race as they drew against a very inspiring Celta side on Sunday. Gareth Bale had scored twice to give Madrid the lead by the end of first half, but it was cancelled by Maxi Gomez's header late in the second half.

Iago Aspas nearly opened the scoring for Celta, but could only deflect the shot on to the post after a cross from Hugo Mallo which exploited Real Madrid's leaky defence early on. Madrid are now 16 points behind leaders Barcelona who won their match comfortably against Levante.

Apart from Bale, Los Blancos looked lethargic, as the team that excelled in counter attacking football during the past seasons, just don't seem to have the legs to do so any more. With Achraf & Marcelo attacking from the flanks, it was Modric's box to box work that made the team tick from defence to attack. But the Croatian maestro reached 32 last year and it will get even tougher from here on to gradually find a replacement who possesses the same attributes.

Gareth Bale scored twice in the evening. (Picture Courtesy: express.co.uk)

The Welshman scored twice in quick succession, using his pace to get to the ball and finishing precisely to give Madrid the lead before half time.

Second half was even worse for Real, as Celta Vigo players were allowed freedom to attack again and again, which paid off after 70 minutes of play as Madrid's defence failed to stop Iago from charging Keylor Navas, who took the attacker down in the his area conceding a penalty. Questions were raised over Navas's positioning as he saved the kick from Iago to keep Celta at bay.

But Celta didn't give up and yet another attack from the right provided the unmarked Maxi Gomez an opportunity to score, which he took brilliantly. Celta Vigo could have scored even more and had a fair shout for penalty declined, however Madrid players didn't show up with yet another dismal display and the title race is all for Barca to lose.

REAL MADRID VS CELTA VIGO

Real Madrid will be looking to start the new year on a winning note when they travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday, as they return to La Liga action at Balaidos having seen their title defence left in shambles by a crushing 3-0 home defeat to leaders Barcelona in their final game of 2017.

That left the champions 14 points adrift of Barca - albeit with a game in hand - and knowing they will need something approaching a miracle to overturn the deficit to their arch rivals. Los Blancos beat Gremio in Abu Dhabi on December 16 to claim their fifth trophy of 2017, a club record, but they have serious work to do if they are to retain the Primera Division title they won last May.

Real's cause has not been helped by a calf injury to Sergio Ramos which could keep the Spain defender out for most of January, and Zidane admits the loss of his skipper is a significant blow. Zidane said: "We lose a lot because he's our leader and our captain. We always want him with the team but these things happen.”
"The season is long and we want him to recover as soon possible. Hopefully he won't be out for long." Real Madrid have failed to win in their last three away league games (drawing two and losing one), after winning each of their previous 13. The last time they failed to win in four away games in a row in La Liga was in 2008 (three defeats and a draw).

Meanwhile, striker Karim Benzema also misses out on Sunday due to an injury sustained in the Clasico defeat to Barcelona last month. Right-back Dani Carvajal is suspended for the trip to Balaidos following his red card in the same humiliating Clasico defeat. Nacho and Raphael Varane should start in central defence for Real Madrid away to Celta in the absence of Ramos.
At right-back, meanwhile, there will be another opportunity for youngster Achraf Hakimi as he is likely to take Carvajal’s position in the fixture.
In attack, Gareth Bale is set to start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the absence of Benzema, with the Welsh winger on target from the penalty spot against Numancia in a 3-0 win in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

Celta, with no major injury concerns or suspensions ahead of their first Liga fixture in 2018, are starting the weekend at 11th position in La Liga on 21 points, 10 adrift of fourth-placed Real Madrid and only six above the relegation places.
The Vigo oufit, 3-1 winners away to Deportivo La Coruna in the Galician derby just before Christmas, could hand a debut to new signing Robert Mazan, a Slovakian left-back brought in from MSK Zilina this week.
Celta Coach Juan Carlos Unzue has named the same squad that faced Barca in the cup - omitting John Guidetti, Ivan Villar, Andrew Hjulsager and new signing Robert Mazan - but admits it will not be the same starting XI.
Unzue, whose side also have go to the Nou Camp on Thursday, said: "The two line-ups will be related, players who were substitutes against Barcelona will be starters. "I've tried to make two teams that are as balanced as possible. I've no doubt that we're going to be competitive."

Celta have lost their last six league games against Real Madrid, conceding 23 goals in those matches (3.8 per game). However, they have only failed to score in one of the six. Celta will be the first opponent to test Real's fortitude since their humbling at Santiago Bernabeu, and Zidane's side will either showcase a high resolve or a further indication that they are lacking certain title-winning criteria.

FC BARCELONA VS LEVANTE

LA LIGA  MATCH PREVIEW : BARCELONA VS LEVANTE

Things are looking pretty good for Barcelona right now. The team is playing well again and the results have been fantastic.

This is the first La Liga game in the year and Levante come to Camp Nou in poor form, with only one win in their last six matches and sitting just three points above the relegation zone.

"They are a team that is doing better away from home than at home. They have only lost a single match. We have to work hard to win this match. We respect the opponent a lot." Valverde said.

Levante coach Muniz in his press conference said that they will try had to neutralize the treat of Lionel Messi in order to give his team a chance to pick up a good results at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona have been boosted with the return of Dembele although he lacks match fitness at the moment and is therefore expected to start from the bench. Sergio Busquets picked up a yellow and is suspended and so we expect Sergi Roberto to replace him in midfield with Semedo getting the nod at Right-back.

Paulinho and Ivan Rakitic will be at the heart of midfield with the Croatian having the responsibility of replacing Busquets, and Andrés Iniesta will start and look to provide Messi and Suárez with some scoring chances against a Levante defense that will be organized and tough to beat.

Levante will surely try to make things tough for the Camp Nou giants but Barcelona are expected to come out on top at the end of the day.

Possible Line-ups

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Vermaelen, Alba; Roberto, Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez

Levante: Olazábal; Coke, Postigo, Cabaco, Luna; Doukouré; Jason, Lukic, Lerma, Ivi; Nano