Real Madrid reach the top with the victory of Celta de Vigo

Real Madrid led La Liga with a 2-0 home win over Celta de Vigo that saw Marco Asensio and Lucas Vázquez find the back of the net.

Sergio Ramos was left out of the Spanish champions by not training on New Year’s Day due to illness, but Real Madrid did well without their captain, taking the lead after six minutes.

Iago Aspas was presented with a golden opportunity, but Nacho cleared his shot on goal. Seconds later, Asensio took the lead on the counterattack and played a cross to the back post for Vazquez to head home.

Celta de Vigo took a hit shortly after the second half when Aspas was forced to retire due to injury and things turned from bad to worse for the visitors when Asensio beat Rubén Blanco in the 53rd minute.

The victory takes Real Madrid to the top of the La Liga table with 36 points, although Atlético de Madrid, who have three games in hand, can regain first place with a victory against Getafe on Sunday.

This had the potential to be a difficult test for Real Madrid with Celta de Vigo, one of the most fit teams in La Liga when it performed at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium. But the defending Spanish champions completely nullified Celta de Vigo as an attacking threat, keeping them at arm’s length for the full 90 minutes. This required Real Madrid to give up a lot of possession and play in a more conservative manner than would normally be customary for a team of his caliber, but Zidane’s game plan worked and was executed to perfection.

2020 was a difficult year for Asensio. He missed much of the year due to injury and then struggled to regain shape and form when he returned to action. However, based on this performance and some encouraging displays in recent weeks, Asensio is close to returning to his best. The 24-year-old recorded a goal and an assist in this match. More than that, he was the dynamo through which much of Real Madrid’s attacking game flowed. With Asensio on one side and Vázquez on the other, the Spanish champion is a well-balanced team.

Real Madrid – Courtois 5, Carvajal 7, Nacho 7, Varane 6, Mendy 7, Casemiro 5, Modric 7, Kroos 6, Vázquez 8, Benzema 6, Asensio 8. Subs – Hazard 5, Valverde, Militao, Mariano, Vinicius.

Celtic vigo – Blanco 5, Mallo 5, Murillo 5, Araujo 6, Olaza 5, Tapia 7, D. Suarez 4, Mendez 5, Nolito 6, Aspas 6, Mina 5. Subs – Beltran 5, Baeza 5.

5 & ​​# 39; Off the line! Nolito makes a wonderful cut over the top pass to Aspas, but his shot is cleared off the line by Nacho, who was behind Courtois to provide emergency cover.

6 ‘GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Celta Vigo: Real Madrid has taken the lead! They counterattacked after Aspas had a shot cleared from the line. Asensio played the center to the back post and Vázquez was on hand to shoot from a narrow angle. White couldn’t get there!

50 & # 39; Aspas injury! It is bad news for Celta de Vigo. Aspas has been injured here after a challenge from Nacho and the visiting team will be forced to change. He’s been in such great shape!

53 & # 39; GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo: It’s a second goal for Real Madrid! Celta de Vigo gave the ball cheaply within their own field, Vázquez passed the pass to Asensio who was completely free inside the area and made no mistake in sweeping a shot from Blanco and into the net!

Lucas Vázquez has already scored three goals against Celta de Vigo in La Liga, more than against any other team.

Real Madrid are undefeated in the 30 league games they have played with Ferland Mendy as the starter. They have lost six times without him as a starter.