Real Madrid is to extend La Liga duties with Celta Vigo looming on Saturday night in Spanish top flight football after international break. Carlo Ancelotti and his charges will be eager to make a flying start in the 2024-25 season and carry on with their title hunt.
The league encounter at the stadium is timely for Los Blancos, who have been outstanding, but the team is faced with a midfield crisis due to several injuries. The serving Chelsea coach Ancelotti optimistically anticipates the return of Bellingham and Tchouameni, who can be instrumental to the team.
Real Madrid’s versatility has been a key factor in their success so far this season, with Ancelotti emphasizing the team’s ability to adapt to different playing styles. “What stands out the most is that Real Madrid, over these years, doesn’t have one single identity,” the Italian tactician explained. There have been good moments when we acted correctly from high pressure, defended correctly in a low block system, predicted, and had very fast counterattacks and even good possession in some games. Some people, when they see that we do not have a very defined identity for our brand or logo, will think that we do not have any style. And that’s the truth, we don’t have a style, we have many styles.”
This kind of flexibility has been a great boon to Real Madrid’s team, especially in their outings in pursuit of a European juggernaut. The club recently proved their dominance on the continent by defeating Atalanta in a UEFA Super Cup match in August, and with new recruit Kylian Mbappe, who scored on his debut.
One area that fans and pundits have always debated is how well Mbappe has been integrated into the team. Though, the French superstar is yet to fully wet the bed in terms of open play fully, the recent La Liga 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad has proven that he is gradually building his understanding with his compatriot forward Vinicius Jr.
Mbappe,25, even though he admitted that he had never played in the UEFA Champions League, showed enthusiasm after his move to Real Madrid by stating, “It will be very important for me, as I said the first day I came to Madrid to live these type of nights”. I am very focused on what we have to do, the Champions League has changed a lot, it’s a new competition, and we have to win to start well.”
In the build-up to the match with Celta Vigo, there was awareness in the Real Madrid camp that they had the resources to succeed no matter the prevailing conditions. The return of Bellingham and Tchouameni may be a lifeline in reviving the midfield following the Camavinga and Ceballos injuries.
Another big question mark will be the fitness level of Vinicius Junior as the youngster looks to get back to his best. Although, this season they have not enjoyed the kind of start many Evertonians would have wanted, Ancelotti remains confident in his number nine and has defended the Brazilian forward by pointing to his crucial role in the club’s previous Champions league campaigns.
Real Madrid’s next assignment is Celta Vigo in La Liga. The game is ideal for Solskjaer’s men to sustain their upbeat form and get the best of their tactical setup and player assemblage for their most cherished Champions League voyage. As they prepare to face rivals, Los Blancos seem ready to show why they are considered the favorite to clinch the prestigious European competition in its newly formatted format.
On Saturday evening, the eyes of the football world will be on the Abanca-Balaidos Stadium at least for the Real Madrid team, talented players will try to demonstrate all their best features that forced the team to become the force in world soccer. By having Mbappe, Vinicius, and potentially Bellingham upfront, Ancelotti and his men promise to give another grand demonstration of flexibility, technique, and tenacity.