La Liga 2018/19: Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid

This post originally featured on our comprehensive Real Madrid analysis sister site, realmadridanalysis.com.

Real Madrid continued to improve on Sunday night of match-day 12 in Vigo as they blew away Celta Vigo, costing their coach Antonio Mohamed his job and applying the pressure on Barcelona after they slipped up at home to Real Betis. Karim Benzema terrified the Galicians with his involvement in the two opening goals either side of half-time before Hugo Mallo pulled one back on the hour mark. Sergio Ramos cheeky Panenka penalty put the game to bed and Dani Ceballos put the icing on the cake in injury time, even if Brais Mendez reduced the deficit to two goals again in the final moments of the 4-2 win. Here, our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Real Madrid can take from the game as they continued to find their form.

The results crisis may be over, the injury crisis just gets worse

Just as there appeared to be light at the end of the tunnel for Real Madrid, injuries struck. Santiago Solari appears to have turned things around on the pitch but that could soon be brought to an end after a freak wave of injuries continued to surge through the squad with at least three more additions in poor conditions in Vigo. Amidst the wind and rain, Nacho, Casemiro and Sergio Reguilon have all joined what was already a long injury list.

Reguilon was again one of the star performers for his team despite his stark lack of first-team experience but failed to make the second half after taking a knock, whilst Nachos knee ligament damage could keep him up for as much as two months and Casemiros ankle problem is also expected to sideline him for around three weeks.

The introduction of Javi Sanchez in defence reflected what could be the short-term future as the only other defender fit, given the existing conditions with Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane and Marcelo. Nachos knock made life even more difficult though with Lucas Vazquez being deployed at left-back. For a club of such wealth, riches and transfer market power, it is unforgivable to have such a distinct lack of cover all the way across the back-line.

Luka Modric is on his way back

Contributing only his third assist of the campaign and his first since September, Luka Modric returned to be decisive in Vigo. Having looked tired and worn out as age catches up with him after an intense World Cup campaign, the Croatian has had a slow start to the season but now looks to be getting firing once again. For Solari, having The Best winner and Balon dOr candidate at the top of his game could be the difference between a fight for Champions League qualification and a fight for the title.

On Sunday evening, he made