Who: Celta Vigo vs Actual Madrid
What: Spanish soccer’s La Liga
The place: Balaidos Stadium in Vigo, Spain
When: Friday, March 5 at 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How one can comply with: Al Jazeera‘s reside protection begins at 17:00 GMT.
After back-to-back defeats, Actual Madrid will attempt to get again on the successful path in La Liga earlier than it faces its new European nemesis.
Really helpful Tales
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Madrid has slumped to consecutive Liga losses, 2-1 at Osasuna and a 1-0 implosion towards lowly Getafe in its personal Bernabeu Stadium.
On Friday, it is going to attempt to rebound at Celta Vigo whereas trailing chief Barcelona by 4 factors.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a more in-depth have a look at a probably season-defining few days for Los Blancos.
Arbeloa says Actual Madrid’s focus is absolutely on Celta Vigo
After the Celta sport, Alvaro Arbeloa’s facet can absolutely give attention to its house sport towards Manchester Metropolis to begin their Champions League round-of-16 tie subsequent week.
Madrid and Metropolis have met within the knockout rounds for the 4 earlier years, with Madrid advancing the final two instances on the expense of Pep Guardiola’s facet. Metropolis, nevertheless, beat Madrid already this season within the common season.
Arbeloa, nevertheless, says his group is not going to look previous the sport in Vigo, and reverse their type within the Spanish high flight.
“In a group like Actual Madrid, defeat is all the time troublesome to deal with as a result of expectations and calls for, however proper now the one factor we’re eager about is [the Celta] match,” coach Arbeloa mentioned on Thursday. “That’s the one factor that issues us.”
How is La Liga shaping up for Actual Madrid and Celta Vigo?
Celta, in sixth place, has received 4 in a row, protecting the league and Europa League.
Actual, in the meantime, will hope to shut the hole to 1 level to leaders Barcelona, who go to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
“We’re 4 factors behind, not 18. That is Actual Madrid. So long as we are able to mathematically struggle, we’ll, and if there ever comes a time once we can not struggle, we’ll nonetheless hold combating,” mentioned Arbeloa, who changed Xabi Alonso as coach in January.
“Within the dressing room, we’re conscious that there’s nonetheless loads of the season left.
“We’ve had two consecutive league defeats. In fact, at a membership like Actual Madrid, defeat is all the time troublesome to deal with due to the expectations and the strain, however proper now the one factor we’re eager about is tomorrow’s match.”
What occurred the final time Celta Vigo performed Actual Madrid?
Celta shocked Actual earlier this season with a 2-0 win at Estadio Bernabeu in La Liga.
Williot Swedberg scored a second-half double within the match on December 7, which noticed three Actual gamers despatched off.
Fran Garcia was proven crimson simply after Swedberg’s 54th-minute opener, whereas Endrick and Alvaro Carreras got their marching orders in harm time.
What occurred within the corresponding Celta Vigo and Actual Madrid fixture final season?
Actual Madrid recorded a 2-1 at Celta in the identical fixture final season.
Kylian Mbappe set Los Blancos on their approach within the first half, earlier than Swedberg levelled early within the second, just for Vinicius to internet the winner within the 66th minute.
Head-to-head
This would be the 139th assembly between the perimeters, with Actual Madrid successful 82 of the conferences. Celta have emerged victorious on 35 events.
Stat assault – Celta vs Actual
Regardless of Celta’s win at Actual earlier this season, they haven’t received a house sport towards Los Blancos since 2014.
The Madrid-based membership have received 9 of the 11 journeys to Vigo since then.
Celta Vigo group information
Striker Borja Iglesias, who has 14 targets to his title this season, returns from suspension.
Marcos Alonso, Carl Starfelt and Pablo Duran are all carrying knocks and are set to be sidelined for the go to of Actual.
Predicted Celta Vigo lineup
Radu; Rodriguez, Aidoo, Dominguez; Mingueza, Roman, Moriba, Carreira; Jutgla, Iglesias, Alvarez
Actual Madrid group information
Madrid striker and league high scorer Kylian Mbappe is out with a left knee sprain. Jude Bellingham is sidelined by a left thigh harm, and Rodrygo is out for the remainder of the season after an ACL tear.
“I discuss to him day by day,” Arbeloa mentioned about Mbappe. “Every day he’s getting higher; it’s a course of the place we’re taking it daily.”
Dani Ceballos, David Alaba, and Eder Militao are additionally injured.
Franco Mastantuono is suspended following his crimson card towards Getafe, whereas Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen have each reached milestone yellow playing cards, so additionally they miss out.
“If you’re successful, and everyone seems to be enjoying effectively, it’s simple to put on this shirt,” added Arbeloa, who insisted that he wouldn’t “make excuses” as a result of accidents.
“We have to present our true potential now. It’s in moments like these that you just see if we’re worthy of sporting this shirt and this badge.”
Predicted Actual Madrid lineup
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asensio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler; G Garcia, Vinicius
Celta Vigo and Actual Madrid type guides
Celta Vigo type (all competitions – most up-to-date sport final):
Actual Madrid type (all competitions – most up-to-date sport final):
