Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
The question was left field, but the answer was honest. "We've seen it with Pep, with Mou," began the question at Zinedine Zidane's press conference on Friday. "Do you think the Real Madrid job makes you age quicker?"
"A little bit," responded Zidane candidly, "but I love my job so I don't feel the stress as much."
If premature ageing is what Real Madrid immediately gives to a man, it's not what this man immediately gave to Real Madrid. In the wake of his appointment back in January, Zidane breathed new life and vitality into the club, his presence signalling a notable emotional shift after a tumultuous close to 2015.
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But two months on, the effect is wearing off as realities set in; Madrid have stumbled to fall out of contention in La Liga, the situation suddenly trickier for Zidane, the stress now rising.
In a season run-in in which Madrid's only potential lifeline now comes in the form of the Champions League, the Frenchman won't have liked what he's seen in the lead-up to his side's second-leg clash with Roma in the continental competition's round of 16 on Tuesday.
Since returning from the first leg in the Italian capital, Madrid have been ambushed by Malaga, pushed to despair by Atletico Madrid and forced to labour by bottom-placed Levante. Against the latter on Wednesday, a 3-1 victory was admittedly secured by a weakened side, but the nature of the performance remained troubling: Madrid were flat, tired-looking, lacked purpose and had moments of fortune to thank.
"It wasn't easy," conceded Zidane.
Frankly, right now, nothing is. And it's not about to start being so.
On Saturday, Celta Vigo's visit to the Bernabeu kickstarts a five-game run for Los Blancos that also includes the clash with Roma, a visit from Sevilla and a trip to Barcelona. A Champions League quarter-final outing will immediately follow, too, if Madrid are successful against the Italians.
Time to sharpen up, then.
Just like Celta have.
After a difficult stretch to begin the new year, Eduardo Berizzo's men have recovered and are starting to recapture some of their groove. Following consecutive victories over Eibar and Getafe, Celta extended their unbeaten run to three with a solid point against high-flying Villarreal on Wednesday, keeping Athletic Bilbao at bay in the hunt for European places.
It's true that the Galicians are still feeling the effects of Augusto Fernandez's January switch to Atletico, but the return of Nolito in attack has been a boost and has coincided with the upturn in form. John Guidetti has also become a source of goals. Daniel Wass continues to grow in midfield.
Right now, though Celta might not be the swashbuckling, all-guns-blazing, no-thought-for-defending Celta that took the league by storm in the season's opening weeks, they have enough to trouble Madrid.
They've shown that before, both this season and last.
A new wrinkle awaits Zidane if they can do so again.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, March 5
Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET/4 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK—delayed broadcast), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
Form Lines
| W: 3-1 vs. Levante | D: 0-0 vs. Villarreal |
| L: 0-1 vs. Atletico Madrid | W: 1-0 vs. Getafe |
| D: 1-1 vs. Malaga | W: 3-2 vs. Eibar |
| W: 2-0 vs. Roma | L: 1-6 vs. Barcelona |
| W: 4-2 vs. Athletic Bilbao | D: 2-2 vs. Sevilla |
| W: 2-1 vs. Granada | D: 1-1 vs. Sevilla |
Team News
For Real Madrid, both Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal return following one-game suspensions, likely forcing Pepe and Nacho—who stepped in against Levante—to the bench. Left-back Marcelo also returns to the matchday squad after an injury layoff but is likely to be treated with caution.
In midfield, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will be missing with flu and an ankle knock, respectively, which could see Mateo Kovacic and Isco join Casemiro in the central trio.
Up front, Borja Mayoral will likely continue to deputise for the injured Karim Benzema and will join Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez. Gareth Bale is available again, but one suspects he'll be a second-half substitute after such a lengthy time out.
For Celta Vigo, centre-back Gustavo Cabral is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Villarreal on Wednesday. With Andreu Fontas also missing, Berizzo will need to turn to one of his usual full-backs in Jonny or Hugo Mallo as a makeshift option.
In midfield, key man Pablo Hernandez returns from suspension and should join Nemanja Radoja and Daniel Wass in the centre of the park, while Nolito's recent recovery from injury means a familiar front three of he, Iago Aspas and Fabian Orellana will start.
Predicted Lineups
In the Spotlight
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Real Madrid: 3-10
Draw: 5-1
Celta Vigo: 7-1
