Real Madrid visit Celta Vigo this evening hoping for a miracle to happen elsewhere to keep their title hopes alive.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men must win, and hope Atletico de Madrid and Barcelona drop points to Malaga and Elche respectively. It appears unlikely to happen, and for all the talk of fighting for the title, it looks like Madrid already have one eye on the Champions League final.
They travel to the north west of Spain without a host of first team regulars as they are kept back in preparation of the big match in Lisbon on May 24. Headlining those absent if Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward came off after only eight minutes into the game at Valladolid, and although the injury is not as bad as first feared, no risks will be taken with him.
Daniel Carvajal, Angel di Maria, and Pepe are all out injured too, with the central defender looking like he’ll miss out against Atletico de Madrid too. But in good news for the team, German midfielder Sami Khedira will make his first start in six months having recovered from his serious knee injury.
The hosts are in good form at the moment having won their last three matches. Having secured their top flight status for next season already, and with no chance of making the Europa League, many would think Celta will not play with much intensity.
But Luis Enrique is the man at the helm and will want to get one over the team he hates. The fact that he is likely to be named the next Barcelona boss will make him even more fired up to get a win over the nine time European Cup winners.
Probable line ups:Celta Vigo: Alvarez; Aurtenetxe, Lopez, Fontas, Jonny; Rafinha, Oubina, Krohn-Delhi; Nolito, Bermejo, Orellana
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Arbeloa, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Illarramendi, Modric; Isco, Bale, Benzema.
