NOS Football•
Real Madrid has suffered its second defeat in La Liga. The Madrilenians lost to mid-table Celta de Vigo in the Santiago Bernabéu: 0-2.
The loss means that Real sees its major competitor and leader FC Barcelona three points ahead in the rankings. The Catalans won 3-5 at Real Betis on Saturday with substitute Frenkie de Jong.
The defeat is also a bad general for Real Madrid for the confrontation with Manchester City in the Champions League next Wednesday.
Real Madrid played perfunctorily in the first half and created few chances. Jude Bellingham could have headed straight, but Celta goalkeeper Ionut Radu made a nice save. Arda Guler helped kill Real’s biggest chance before halftime by shooting the ball wide in a free-standing position.
Celta also had a good opportunity through Pablo Durán, but the shot from the breakthrough attacker lacked power.
Celta benefits from Madrid frustrations
Anyone who had counted on a Madrid offensive after the break was completely wrong. In fact, Celta beautifully took the lead after 53 minutes through substitute Williot Swedberg, who scored 0-1 behind goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with his back heel.
Madrid’s frustrations mounted further when defender Fran García was sent off with his second yellow card in the 64th minute.
In injury time, the Real players even boiled over by receiving four yellow cards, two of which were for Álvaro Carreras. Real therefore ended the match with nine men.
Celta, meanwhile, took advantage of the chaos and saw Swedberg even make it 0-2 after a flawless counter.
