Real Madrid maintain La Liga dream with 3-2 win over Celta

Madrid’s Champions League defence crumbled and Los Blancos were also beaten in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona last week, but Los Blancos are still hopeful of overhauling Hansi Flick’s side in La Liga.

“We had a very good first half (but)… we fell apart, these things can’t happen, it’s happened to us a lot,” admitted Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde on the club’s television channel.

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“We left a lot minutes for them to get comfortable and they are a great team and they put us in a tough spot.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s side came into the game with a spate of defensive injuries but after riding out an early wave of Celta chances took control, with Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler pulling the strings.

With Rodrygo Goes out with illness the youngster started in his stead and took full advantage.

Guler directed a spectacular overhead effort wide of goal in the opening stages, showing his ambition has no limits.

Former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso headed just over and then forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois, as Celta threatened.