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Real Madrid kicked off 2021 with a 2-0 win over Celta de Vigo, recovering from Elche’s draw thanks to goals from Lucas Vázquez and Marco Asensio. Here, then, are the first three answers and three questions of the year.
Three responses
1. How would Real Madrid cope with Aspas?
Iago Aspas came into this match in good shape and was the only Celta Vigo player Zinedine Zidane mentioned by name in his pre-match press conference. So how would the Real Madrid defense manage, especially in the absence of the sick Sergio Ramos? Well, they did a good job against the Galician until he left due to injury in the sixth minute of the second half. But, with that said, Aspas almost opened the scoring for Celta de Vigo moments before Real Madrid took the lead. Nacho cleared an effort before Real Madrid took the lead and another Galician, Lucas Vázquez, scored the first goal of the match.
2. How much better would Real Madrid be with Mendy?
There was a lot of talk about Marcelo after the midweek draw in Elche, something unfair in my opinion. Marcelo was not terrible against Elche, but once again Real Madrid lost points with him on the pitch. So with Ferland Mendy coming back, how much better would it be. Well, he was his usual solid defense. In attack, however, the French was missing again. That wayward shot he tried with his right foot is going to go viral for the wrong reasons.
3. Who would get Real Madrid’s first goal of the year?
It was the first game of 2021, so Real Madrid’s first goal of 2021 was waiting. Lucas Vázquez scored it, after an own goal by David Soria for the first goal of 2020, a goal by Karim Benzema for the first goal of 2019, a goal by Gareth Bale for the first goal of 2018, James Rodríguez for 2017, Benzema for 2016 and Cristiano Ronaldo for 2015.
Three questions
1. Will you ask Asensio too much again?
When Marco Asensio returned from his long-standing knee injury against Valencia towards the end of last season, he scored with his first touch. Everyone was happy for him and that was great, but what that goal did was set expectations way above what they should have been. It is not easy to recover from an ACL injury. With Asensio it has been a slow process and he is still trying to get back into shape. He has now scored his first goal of 2020/21, but can we not assume that one goal equates to a full recovery? He himself spoke about his ongoing recovery after the game. He said: “People don’t know that getting games and minutes under my belt is a long process and I’m working hard to give it my all,” he said. His goal is a good sign, but it doesn’t change much. You still need patience. He is still recovering from a terrible injury.
2. What does the future hold for Éder Militão, which has never been used?
Nacho was the one who replaced the ailing Sergio Ramos in this match, which makes sense considering how the Spaniard played during Ramos’ previous absence. But you have to wonder what the future holds for Éder Militão. The Brazilian central defender has appeared in just three games all season. He has had coronavirus and an injury, but it is still a surprisingly low turnout for a player who was signed for 50 million euros and who is supposed to be a prospect for the future. He will turn 23 on January 18. He is no longer a child. But it is not being used and it is not very clear what the future holds.
3. Did Carvajal try to get booked?
When Dani Carvajal left in the 85th minute, the referee told him to go to the wing near his right-back position, on the opposite side of the benches. Instead, however, he walked all the way across the field and received a yellow card while doing so. That means he will miss the next game against Osasuna due to the accumulation of yellow cards. So did you do this on purpose? Carvajal has a track record of intentionally seeking reserves to miss a less difficult game and make sure he is available for a more difficult one. Osasuna out should be easy on paper, as they are in the second bottom, but it is still a risk to intentionally miss a game.
