Real Madrid revives hope of winning La Liga

Coach Carlo Ancelotti changed a series of positions compared to the 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek. Pillars like Rodrygo, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal or David Alaba all did not start.

Still, Real dominated, having 66% possession, finishing 17 times with five shots on target, compared to Celta's 12 and 2, and scoring twice each half.

In the 42nd minute, receiving the ball from Dani Ceballos, Vinicius crossed to the right and then passed it to the second line for Marco Asensio to cross the corner to open the score. Asensio scored eight goals for Real in all competitions in 2023, more than any other Spanish player in Europe's top five leagues.

In the 48th minute, Asensio continued to leave an impression with a corner kick for Eder Militao to head diagonally into the net of goalkeeper Ivan Villar. With six goals, Militao is the defender with the most headers in Europe's top five leagues this season.

With a 2-0 victory, Real now has 65 points, shortening the gap to eight points and putting pressure on Barca - the big club with Atletico at Camp Nou today.

After the match, Ancelotti revealed to let the most tired players rest and praised the whole team for having a strong spirit. The Italian coach was satisfied with Real's keeping a clean sheet in the last four matches in all competitions, when he defeated Cadiz and Celta in La Liga, two times met Chelsea in the Champions League with the same score of 2-0.

Real coach also praised Eduardo Camavinga with extraordinary qualities in all aspects, including physical, technical, tactical, and can kick well in any position. Yesterday, the French player continued to be deployed at left-back, touching the ball 113 times and successfully dribbling six times - both of which are the best individual statistics in a single match in La Liga.

Asensio also had a brilliant day with one goal and one assist. The Spanish striker contributed to ten goals in La Liga in 2023, including seven goals and three assists, the best achievement in the tournament. Asensio's contract has only two months left, and he said he was happy to be given the opportunity by Ancelotti in the past, but refused to reveal his future.

Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois insists Real will fight to defend the La Liga title to the end. "It's a pity we dropped a lot of points along the way, but that's normal when you go deep in the Champions League," added the Belgian goalkeeper.