Celta to provide stern test for Real Madrid

Real Madrid face a potentially complicated away game on Sunday as they bid to overhaul Barcelona at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga.

Carlo Ancelotti' s side, fresh from their 1-0 triumph over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, must travel to the north-west of Spain to face an in-form and confident Celta Vigo.

Real Madrid were handed perhaps the easiest of the semi-final ties in the Champions League on Friday when they were drawn to face Juventus, but those two European matches sandwich the most difficult matches which remain for them in the domestic run in: a home game against Valencia and a trip to face Sevilla and that means they cannot afford to drop any points in Vigo.

Ancelotti' s side have the advantage of knowing Barcelona' s result before the kick off given that Barca play away to Espanyol on Saturday afternoon and depending what happens in Cornella, Real Madrid could find themselves kicking off five points off the top of the table and needing three points to keep in touch, or with the chance of going to the top of the table should Barca lose or draw.

Carlo Ancelotti has to overcome a series of injuries for Sunday with Luka Modric out for the rest of the season with his twisted knee ligament and Gareth Bale sidelined for at least a fortnight due to a torn calf muscle.

Karim Benzema is also out due to a knee problem, which will take longer to cure than at first expected, while Sergio Ramos is also doubtful with physical problems. ' That means Javier Hernandez will get another chance in attack following his heroics on Wednesday night while Rafael Varene and Pepe remain in central defense and Asier Illaramendi finally gets his chance in midfield after being overlooked in midweek.

Celta meanwhile still maintain options of finishing in seventh place and qualifying for Europe next season and their mobile attack of Nolito, Larrivey and teenager Santi Mina will prove a stern test for Real.
Source: XINHUA