Real Madrid Faces Celta Vigo with Makeshift Defense Amid Injury Crisis in LaLiga Showdown

In a pivotal LaLiga encounter on May 4, 2025, Real Madrid welcomes Celta Vigo to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The match holds significant implications for both teams: Real Madrid seeks to maintain pressure on league leaders Barcelona, while Celta Vigo aims to secure a spot in European competitions.

Real Madrid's Injury Woes

Los Blancos enter the match with a depleted squad, particularly in defense. Key defenders Rüdiger, Mendy, Alaba, Camavinga, Carvajal, and Militão are sidelined due to injuries. Additionally, Rodrygo is unavailable due to illness. These absences force manager Carlo Ancelotti to make significant adjustments to the starting lineup.

Confirmed Starting Lineups

Real Madrid:

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

• Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Raúl Asencio, Fran García

• Midfielders: Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham

• Forwards: Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé

Celta Vigo:

• Goalkeeper: Vicente Guaita

Defenders: Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso

Midfielders: Sergio Carreira, Fran Beltrán, Hugo Sotelo, Óscar Mingueza

Forwards: Fer López, Alfon González, Borja Iglesias

Ancelotti's decision to deploy Tchouaméni as a central defender underscores the team's defensive crisis. The inclusion of young talents like Arda Güler and Raúl Asencio highlights the reliance on emerging players during this challenging period.

Match Significance

Real Madrid, trailing Barcelona in the league standings, must secure a victory to keep their title hopes alive. The team's recent elimination from other competitions intensifies the importance of this match. Conversely, Celta Vigo, positioned seventh in the league, aims to strengthen their bid for European qualification.

Broadcast Information

• Date: May 4, 2025

• Time: 14:00 CET

• Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid

• Broadcast: Movistar La Liga, ABC, ESPN+