Preview of Real Madrid at Celta Vigo
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has made comparisons between Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of tomorrow night’s home game against Celta Vigo.
Mbappe enters the competition with 55 goals for Madrid this calendar year, just four short of Ronaldo’s record, set in 2013.
The French striker scored twice in the 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in midweek and will be keen to at least have chances of equalizing Ronaldo, with Madrid still having four games to play in 2025.
“Kylian is on his way to making Real Madrid history, just like Cristiano did,” Alonso said this afternoon. “With his ambition, his statistics… he is one of the chosen few.
“Working with him on a daily basis is great. His desire to influence others, his contagious energy, it’s something he shares with Cristiano. There, I see similarities.”
Alonso played alongside Ronaldo in Madrid and refused to know which of the two strikers was better.
He added: “Cristiano is Cristiano and Kylian is Kylian. They are both exceptional. We are very lucky to have Kylian and we must make the most of him.”
The only downside to their midweek win at San Mames was that Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a thigh injury that could keep him out for up to two months.
This could force midfielder Federico Valverde to have to move back to fill the right-back spot, something he is reluctant to do.
“We will have to evaluate the decision we make, but there are other options,” Alonso said. “Fede always puts the team first. I remember the big matches he played against Barça, Juve. He is generous and wants to help the team.”
CELTA VIGO are 12th in La Liga after losing in space last weekend.
Real Madrid team news at Celta Vigo
Real Madrid full-backs Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are absent, exacerbating the disappointment over Alexander-Arnold’s setback.
Eduardo Camavinga is also expected to be absent. Dean Huijsen and David Alaba are doubtful.
Celta are worried about Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristic.
Lineups planned for Real Madrid – Celta Vigo
Real Madrid: courteous; Asencio, militao, rudigger, races; Guler, Valverde, Tchouameni; Bellingham; Viniicus, Mbappé
Celtic Live: Radu; Alonso, Starfelt, J Cross; Wheel, D Rodrig, Moriba, Carreir; Zaragoza, Issias, Aspas
How to watch Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo: TV and online streams
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo kicks off tomorrow evening at 8pm UK time. You can watch it on Premier Sports 1. It can be streamed via the Premier Sports website and the STV Player.
