After a dream run in cups in the last year, the last week has brought the high-flying Real Madrid team back to the ground as they faced a reality check at the hands of Celta Vigo. Zinedine Zidane's side are out of the Copa del Rey in the quarterfinals stage with an aggregate score of 4-3 going in favour of Celta. The second leg ended 2-2 as Real failed to win with a two-goal difference to proceed into the semis of Spain's domestic cup competition.
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A Danilo own goal opened the scoring for Celta right on the half time whistle in front of their home ground. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational free kick to level the proceedings and raised the hopes of a brilliant comeback. Daniel Wuss scored Celta's second to script a fine win over Real Madrid over two legs.
Lucas Vazquez equalised late on in the game but it was too late for Zidane's men to salvage anything. Let's take a look at the five talking points from an enthralling game that took place at the home of the Galicians:
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo answers his critics
After a successful and award-laden 2016, Ronaldo started the new year slowly and has been downright average in all of Real's games. He was also booed in the last match at the Bernabeu which was a sign of the growing frustration of the fans with the Portuguese superstar.
He responded to his critics with a 25-yard freekick which was reminiscent of the old Ronaldo which made the 31-year-old one of the best players in the world. The former Manchester United star brought a sense of hope last night after scoring the equaliser which gave Real time to turn the tie back in their favour, but failed to do so.
#2 Real Madrid struggling to cope with the long injury list
With such a star-studded squad at their disposal, it was surprising to see several youngsters from the Real Madrid academy on the bench at a game of such importance. Zidane's son, Enzo, and youngster Achraf Hakimi started on the bench as the manager was forced to play in a 3-5-2 formation which included the under-fire Brazilian defender Danilo.
The injury Iist for Real is long with the likes of Raphael Varane, Marcelo and Luka Modric joining the treatment table with the likes of Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal, Pepe and James Rodriguez.
With the team bowing out of the cup and title rivals closing on to Real's lead at the top, this is the toughest test of Zidane’s short managerial career.
#3 Celta Vigo will have their eyes on the coveted cup
If the Sky Blues draw Alaves in the semifinals, then the road to the grand finale won't be just a dream for the hard working Celta Vigo team. They are now just two legs away from reaching a historic Copa del Rey final with the side beating one of the best Real Madrid sides in recent seasons, over two legs. Celta Vigo manager Eduardo Berizzo has prioritised cup games over the league games, which is a surprise from the first division side.
In the last league game that happened on Sunday, Celta made eight changes in a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad. This decision paid off last night as Celta made full use of a rested first team to stand toe to toe with Real and cause a big upset.
Atletico Madrid and most probably, FC Barcelona, are alive in the competition, but Celta Vigo still have a real chance to win the Copa Del Rey.
#4 Danilo needs some time off from the firing line
It was the second consecutive away Copa del Rey game for Danilo where he opened the scoring for the opposition. First, it was against Sevilla and last night it was Celta Vigo who received an advantage courtesy of the Brazilian. Danilo has been criticised a lot in the last fortnight by the media and also by his own set of fans.
The €30 million signing from FC Porto has not been able to find his footing at the Bernabeu and despite manager Zinedine Zidane publicly backing the player, Danilo needs some time on the bench or with the reserves to get back to his former self.
But with the first choice full-back, Dani Carvajal out for a long timeline, Danilo has to play in the upcoming league and Champions League games which might pose a worry for the fans and the manager.
#5 Is Alvaro Morata's time with the Los Blancos over, again?
Real Madrid bought Morata two seasons ago after exercising their buyback clause in his contract, but the Spaniard has failed to set the world alight since his return. He was again left on the bench against Celta, in what was Real's most important game of the season.
The intriguing question was his absence despite Real suffering an injury crisis.
Morata has scored 9 goals in 25 appearances this season but the majority of his performances have come from the bench as his role in the team has been limited to an impact substitution role. With Diego Costa's good form for Chelsea, Morata must have regular game time to challenge for a place in the Spain's national side.
Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the striker and Morata might decide to leave Real Madrid once again in search of playing time.
