Toni Kroos Cruises Lon Blancos to Victory with a Stunner Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid: A Tactical Review

On Aug 20, 2019

Madrid has a powerful start this season bagging all three points and toppling their tough rivals Barcelona who lost to Athletic on Friday. Despite making a few big signings, none of them were in the starting line-up. Zidane prefer 4-3-3 where Odriozola coming in for Carvajal at right back.

Gareth Bale’s Power-Pack Impact

Bale started his first match for Real Madrid this season. Coming back from an injury and gave an assist to Karim Benzema who scored the first opening goal.

Gareth Bale looks in exceptional form with his lovely footwork and he only took 12 minutes to give an assist. Eden Hazard the big-shot summer import was ruled out of the match due to a thigh injury and Bale took his place.

Bale is a prolific winger who continues to punish Celta Vigo by getting directly involved in 8 goals (scoring 6) in his 9 League appearances against the home side.

Defensive Collapse and Modric’s Red Card

Madrid’s defending was a bit wobbly at the beginning because they are still piecing together the new reinforcements. The visiting side suffered from defensive breakdowns especially in the 2nd half because of poor spacing in the Real Madrid defensive line.

And even after Modric received a red card, Madrid was able to survive and won three points. The Ballon d’Or winner Modric has a habit of making late tackles and was given a straight red for his awful foul on Denis Suarez (the best performer for Celta Vigo). The manager wasn’t pleased with the red card given to Modric which was yellow.

Their defense wasn’t rock-solid. Celta should have capitalized against 10-men Real Madrid but they couldn’t break through the midfield. And Brais Mendez from Celta Vigo scored an equalizing goal only to get disallowed by VAR (Virtual Assistance Referee) because of an off-side.

Kroos Fire a Rocket from Outside the Box

The home side was not taking enough chances or dominating the 10-men Real Madrid. And more thrashing was on the way for RC Celta as Kroos hit an unstoppable goal from 30 yards to take the lead once again.

Zidane brought Lucas Vasquez with 10 minutes left on the clock. An incredible attacking flow of Kroos, Marcelo, and Vasquez allowed them to score a staggering third goal.

But the home side (Celta Vigo) scored a consolation goal through the electrifying winger Iker Losada who got a goal in stoppage time.

The three points give Los Blancos a benefit over the reigning La Liga champions Barcelona.

In the post-match interview Zinedine Zidane said “He’s going to stay and we all have to think of that as a positive thing. The injury to Eden Hazard was bad luck for us but it didn’t change the plans we had for Bale in this game. Gareth and everyone else here is going to show this shirt the respect it deserves.”