Real Madrid vs Celta Di Vigo: A warm up for the Blancos ahead of BVB clash

Cyclist Alberto Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour de France took the honorary kick off at the Bernabeu yesterday and set the match into play.

Though it wasn’t a satisfying display, Los Blancos managed to labour a 2-0 win over Celta who met Madrid the first time after spending 5 years in Segunda division.

The match looked more like a warm up for Mourinho’s men ahead of the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund, where Madrid lost 3 of their main full backs due to the so called “FIFA virus”.

However, Essien and Varane played comfortably giving confidence to Mourinho for the days ahead. No one expected the three creative mids Kaka, Modric and Ozil to start but Khedira being sidelined and Essien sent to Marcelo’s role, Modric looked the right fit to support Xabi Alonso in midfield while Ozil played Di Maria’s role and Kaka his usual.

Madrid’s play was untidy in the beginning; Gonzalo Higuain still managed to find an opener on 11 minute mark sending in a ball which looked more like a cross but was placed perfectly between the keeper and the top goal post and into the net; only Pipita can know where he meant the ball to go.

Essien justified Mourinho’s decision to put him on left back by pulling in an accomplished performance at the back and surging quite a few runs forward one of which helped him send in a good cross which was only found wasted by Ronaldo’s poor timing.

Kaka was given the nod but did not put in the performance that was expected of him and was replaced with Di Maria in the second half. Modric struggled to support Alonso in a more defensive role in the first half but put in a fine performance over all by regaining the ball well in the second half, putting in good tackles.

Mesut Ozil looked lively in the first half switching flanks with Cristiano Ronaldo and setting up attacks. He also won a penalty in the second half for a silly push from Gustavo Daniel.

Cristiano Ronaldo then immediately made it 2 – 0 with a well taken penalty into the bottom corner which only worsened Celta Vigo’s chances for a comeback.

Later, Callejon replaced Ozil and looked energetic with some brilliant chances which just fizzed past the side. Di Maria, as usual displayed intelligence in passing and helped Madrid move forward more comfortably.

Casillas picked up a yellow for handling the ball outside the box under pressure from Bermejo. Sergio Ramos was allowed tons of space on the right and was very good in set pieces in both defence and attack with two shots which went past. He was handed a harsh booking when he accidentally landed on Lago’s foot after taking a header.

There were three free kick opportunities from close range for Madrid, two taken by Ronaldo and the last one by Ramos all three sent into the wall.

Xabi Alonso had a calm night with long passes going out of range and also did not involve much in having shots at goal.

Real Madrid, no doubt missed the aids of Sami Khedira, who has been one of the best players for Madrid this season in midfield and should surely be brought back into the line-up for the clash against BVB Dortmund coming Wednesday.