The comeback victory of Barcelona on Real Valladolid on Saturday means that the pressure on Real Madrid is to respond when they take on Celta Vigo in the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.
The side of Carlo Ancelotti is now seven points behind their bitter rivals, so it is necessary that there will be a reaction. But it can be difficult, given that they have suffered different injuries in recent weeks, with Eduardo Camavinga, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba are all excluded for the rest of the season.
It means that Ancelotti will be forced to mention Lucas Vazquez, Aurelien Tchouameni, Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia as his four -member defense, because he has no other senior options available (apart from Jesus Vallejo, who could see any action between now and the end of the season). In midfield, Arda Guler is ready to get the bend for Brahim Diaz after Rodrygo Goes was excluded, while Dani Ceballos will start about Luka Modric. And with attack, it is expected that Kylian Mbappe will return to the starting line-up to partner Vinicius Junior.
Celta is without wounded defender Carl Starfelt for the trip to the Bernabeu, where they ran Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey earlier this year. Yoel Lago will continue, and in the attack it is expected that it is Fer Lopez that starts for club captain IAGO Aspas.
That Copa del Rey Match proves that it will not be easy for Real Madrid to win the victory they need. Celta also chases the European qualification, so they will be desperate to get a positive result in the Spanish capital – and Barcelona will hope they can get it done too.