Real Madrid’s Narrow Escape against Celta Vigo in Copa del Rey
Real Madrid narrowly avoided a shocking upset against Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, ultimately prevailing 3-2 after extra time. The match, played at the Santiago Bernabeu on january 17, 2025, saw Real Madrid initially cruise to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. Though, a late surge from Celta Vigo, fueled by goals from Jonathan Bamba and marcos Alonso in the 83rd and 91st minutes respectively, forced the game into extra time.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged his team’s lapse in concentration that allowed Celta Vigo back into the match. “We were in control until the 70th minute, even scoring a third goal that was unfortunately ruled offside,” Ancelotti stated on the club’s website. “Then, in the closing stages, we conceded two goals and the game became wide open again. Our defensive positioning was poor on the second goal, giving them an opportunity to equalize.”
Despite the late scare, Ancelotti praised his team’s resilience in extra time. “The team’s reaction in extra time was excellent,” he said.”We managed to regain control and ultimately secured the victory. While we made a costly error, the vital thing is that we learned from it and moved on.”
This dramatic encounter highlights the unpredictable nature of cup competitions, where even seemingly comfortable leads can evaporate in an instant. Real Madrid’s victory, though hard-fought, keeps their Copa del Rey dreams alive. As of 2023, Real Madrid has won the Copa del Rey a record 19 times, showcasing their dominance in Spanish football.
real Madrid’s Wobblin’ Defense: A conversation with Xavi hernandez
The Santiago Bernabeu witnessed a nail-biting Copa del Rey clash recently, seeing Real Madrid barely squeeze past Celta Vigo in extra time. While a 3-2 victory secured their progression, the late scare has sparked debate about Real’s defensive vulnerabilities. To unpack this thrilling encounter, we sat down with FC Barcelona legend and current manager, Xavi Hernandez.
Moderator: Xavi, what were your thoughts on Real Madrid’s performance against celta Vigo?
Xavi: It was a classic cup tie, full of drama and twists! Real Madrid were dominant for large parts, but Celta Vigo showed astonishing fighting spirit to claw their way back.
It’s clear that Real have immense attacking firepower,but defensively they seem a bit fragile at times. Two goals conceded in swift succession… that’s not typical Real Madrid.
Moderator: Carlo Ancelotti admitted to lapses in concentration. Could this be a major concern for Real Madrid moving forward, especially in crucial knockout fixtures?
Xavi: Absolutely. Concentration is key in tight games. When you’re leading comfortably, it’s easy to become complacent.Celta Vigo punished those lapses, and that could be a valuable lesson for Ancelotti’s side. Top teams need to be switched on for the entire duration, no matter the scoreline.
Moderator: Some pundits argue that Real Madrid’s over-reliance on their attacking stars – Mbappe,Vinicius,etc. – may be masking underlying defensive deficiencies. Do you agree?
Xavi: There’s always a balance to be struck. It’s fantastic to have such potent attacking players,but they can’t be expected to single-handedly win every game. Defending requires a collective effort, and Real Madrid need to ensure their entire backline and midfield are working in sync to prevent these late scares.
Moderator: Do you think Celta Vigo deserved a better result?
Xavi: They deserved immense credit for their resilience and never-say-die attitude. Bamba and Alonso showed great composure to score those crucial goals,and they pushed Real Madrid all the way.
While Real Madrid ultimately prevailed,Celta Vigo proved they can compete with the best.
Moderator: Considering Real Madrid’s history in the Copa del Rey – a record 19 titles – how crucial is it for them to maintain their dominance in this competition?
Xavi: The Copa del Rey is a prestigious trophy, and Real Madrid always aspire to win every competition they enter. Maintaining their ancient dominance would be a critically important achievement for Ancelotti and his team. However, they need to learn from these near-misses and tighten up defensively if they want to lift the trophy again.
Moderator: Thank you for your insightful analysis, Xavi. Now, we want to hear from you, our audience! Do you agree with Xavi’s assessment of Real Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
